The Importance of Art from a Cathartic, Therapeutic, and Psychological Perspective

 

The Importance of Art from a Cathartic, Therapeutic, and Psychological Perspective

By Dr. Hanan Hassan Mustafa

Art is a fundamental aspect of psychology and art therapy, and can be explained as follows:

First: The Importance of Art from a Cathartic Perspective

Psychological catharsis means releasing repressed emotions in a safe and socially acceptable way.

🎭 Art helps individuals express feelings they cannot verbally express, such as:

Sadness, anger, fear, and anxiety.

It reduces stress and psychological pressure through the symbolic projection of emotions in drawing, music, writing, and acting.

It prevents the accumulation of repressed emotions that may lead to psychological or physical disorders.

It provides a feeling of comfort and relief after artistic expression (healthy emotional release).

Second: The Importance of Art from a Therapeutic Perspective

Art is used as an effective therapeutic tool, especially in psychotherapy and for special needs groups.

 🖌️ Art Therapy is used to help:

Children

Patients with depression and anxiety

Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Those with communication difficulties

It helps the therapist understand internal conflicts through the analysis of symbols, colors, and shapes.

It fosters a therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client.

It contributes to behavior modification and the development of coping skills.

It helps restore a sense of control and self-confidence.

Third: The Importance of Art from a Psychological Perspective

Art is closely linked to mental health and personality development.

🧠 It contributes to:

Developing self-awareness and understanding emotions.

Promoting psychological and emotional balance.

Improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Developing imagination and creativity, which increases psychological resilience.

It serves as a means of nonverbal communication that reflects the unconscious (according to psychoanalysis).

It supports self-actualization and a sense of accomplishment (according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs).

 In short:

Art is not a luxury, but a psychological need.

It helps people release emotions, provides psychological therapy, and achieve balance and peace of mind.