Most little girls dream of being a ballerina or a princess when they grow up; I was no different. As a child, my dreams of the future constantly changed based on life experiences and personal interests. In kindergarten, I saw myself as a professional ballerina- tutu and all. In first grade, I dreamed of becoming a teacher, influenced by becoming a big sister for the first time. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year with the blossoming thoughts of college and the future, and I am at a loss of where I should go and what I should do.

I always knew that I wanted to work with children, but I couldn't see myself as a teacher because I didn't feel as if I could help children in the way that I wanted to. I reflected on my childhood; from the times spent with a sketchbook and some pencils, to watching over my little brothers, and to the multitude of visits to Shriners Hospital for Children where I befriended a Child Life Specialist. The Child Life Specialist comforted me and assisted in my adjustment to staying at the hospital during recovery from surgery. She brought me to the playroom and allowed me to do all the arts and crafts I could dream of doing; and when I wasn’t up to leaving my room she brought me sketchbooks and a various array of art supplies so that I could have objects of comfort even when I was in extreme discomfort and pain.

My ultimate goal in life is to become a certified Art Therapist. Art Therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art creation to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of a diverse clientele in individual, couple, family, and group therapy formats. It is an effective treatment for individuals experiencing developmental, medical, educational, and social impairment. More specifically, those that could benefit immensely from art therapy include persons with special needs, with adverse physical health conditions, and the elderly. Art helped me when I was a patient in the hospital by allowing for me to reduce negative stress.

As an Art Therapist, my primary goal would be to help improve and, hopefully, restore my client’s functioning in addition to his or her sense of purpose and well being. While art therapy is often used in the hospital setting, the practice can likewise aid the community. Art therapy provides the amazing opportunity to enjoy the life-changing pleasures of art-making, in conjunction with the resolution of conflicts, improvement of interpersonal skills, the management of behavior issues and reduction of negative stress. The therapeutic impact of expressive art therapy is focused on four main areas: expression, imagination, active participation, and mind-body connection. The focus of expressive art therapy is on the effect of the creative experience, and it highlights the human capacity to transform thoughts and emotions, into tangible shapes and forms. The approach is described as “integrative” when different art techniques are intentionally used in combination with traditional medicines to promote improved health. Popular therapeutic approaches may involve the use of various drawing and art techniques, including:

• Finger painting
• The squiggle drawing game (sometimes used in other therapeutic approaches, especially with children)
• Mask making
• The blob and wet paper technique
• The kinetic family drawing technique

To illustrate, finger painting may be used as a form of projective play wherein the therapist takes note of the types of lines drawn, the colors used, as well as the work rate and rhythm of the person in treatment. Finger painting has proven effective in the treatment of children with behavioral issues or other related mental health issues. Through consistent use of this technique, therapists may be able to learn about a child’s personality traits, motor skills, and inner world.

Art therapy in the community could help people find a new passion in life to express their emotions in a healthy and constructive manner. For example, individuals that resort to drug use or other destructive means to cope with their depression can choose to turn to art to cope with their choices and feel better about themselves. I want to show everyone, especially younger children and adolescents, that they are not alone and that art can be the answer for them, no matter what life throws at them.

I will be making a difference as an Art Therapist in my field of profession. As a certified Art Therapist, I will become a member of the American Art Therapy Association and an advocate for the arts, not only for therapeutic purposes but for art in life in general. As an advocate for the arts, I hope to inspire others to integrate the arts into their life and perhaps find a way to act more selfless in their everyday lives. Moreover, I hope that I can someday inspire a person to either follow my career path or find a career path that incorporates their talents and interests while helping others.