Creativity soothes troubled minds

Art therapy is growing in popularity as a treatment for psychiatric conditions.

Nevertheless, there remain few therapists in this country.

"There are fewer than five people who have studied art therapy and continue to work in the field. So opportunity for jobs is wide open," says art therapist Anupan Pluckpankhajee.

Anupan works part-time on weekends and Tuesday afternoons at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital. He takes home about Bt20,000 a month for his part-time efforts.

This does not mean he cannot find work to fill a five-day week.  But, "Money isn't everything," he says.

Anupan needs "time to do other art like painting or public speaking on art therapy. This balances my life and tunes up my feelings".

He adds having a strong mind is necessary to succeed in the field.

Art therapists employ many forms - architecture, pottery, painting, conversation, music, body movement or drama - to heal minds.

Art therapists do not work alone. They team up with psychologists.

Anupan starts work with patients after consulting with doctors. He starts with free-form drawing to observe patient behaviour. Then, a consideration is made about treatment.

Because each art discipline has different effects on the mind, therapists select them carefully.

"Just handing a child a brush does not mean you have offered it therapy," he says.

For example, if a patient has a psychosis - hallucinations or paranoia - therapists will not employ drawing. This can upset the mind further. They require focus - working with clay is good.

On the other hand, patients dealing with depression or aggressive behaviour can benefit from drawing or painting because of the calming effect of colour.

Patients work with therapists for as long as six months.

Anupan, 30, started work as a therapist in 2004 after attending Hibernia School of Artistic Therapy in England. He then travelled to Germany for an advanced diploma.

In the beginning, Anupan's goal was to become an art teacher. He has an educational background in primary teaching and has worked as a volunteer teacher.

It might be destiny that led him to work in this field.

Back in 2002, Anupan was working with an art school in Bangkok after returning from study in Germany.

"One day a kid who had had brain surgery walked in and asked for a lesson," he recalls.

"He seemed to be very slow both in speech and movement. He looked in pain, too. Even smiling wasn't fun."

Anupan started to think about art therapy.

"I let him draw and paint things based on stories he liked. Several months later, the kid was livelier and had a will to live. Art helped him get better from inside."

Anupan then flew to England to study this art of healing seriously.

Therapy has been part of his life ever since.

Watchara Saengsrisin

The Nation