“Art therapy is an effective treatment for people experiencing
developmental, medical, educational, and social or psychological
impairment,” according to the American Art Therapy Association.
“Individuals who benefit from art therapy include those who have survived trauma resulting from combat, abuse, and natural and manmade disasters; persons with adverse physical health conditions such as cancer, traumatic brain injury, and other health disability; and persons with autism, dementia, depression, and other disorders. Art therapy helps people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage problematic behaviors, reduce negative stress, and achieve personal insight.”

 

Drawing/coloring is a popular technique in art therapy. This exercise sets a relaxing mood for a session that helps to break down barriers. The spontaneous aspect of scribble drawing also encourages the intuitive expression of feelings through a nonverbal process that can lead to open discussion. Scribble therapy removes any expectation of right or wrong, eliminating anxiety, stress, and worry. It also helps scribblers to be in the moment and let go of everything else — paving the way for subconscious discoveries.

 

The written aspect of Scribfolio® can be a useful tool for counselors to gain insight into the thought process of the scribbler. Storylines written about the objects, animals, and ideas created from within Scribble can act as a therapeutic character study. Personal emotions, behaviors, desires, and psychological awareness will most likely be incorporated into the writings (or verbal stories depending on abilities), which can shed light on a person’s state of mind. “Doing anything creative, and why art can be so therapeutic, is that it … jumps into our subconscious and pulls out inner thoughts,” says Art Therapist Pamela Hayes in her Three Minute Art Therapy session about Scribble drawing (Episode 001).

 

Art therapy is not just for people who are struggling with emotional trauma, but also for those searching for personal growth and seeking to cleanse the mind of distractions. Adults and teens have recently begun picking up coloring books as a way to relax. On the July 2015 Amazon’s bestsellers list, coloring books made up five of the top ten books.

 

This renewed mass interest is great news because not only does it take us back to our childhood, it also has many cognitive and health benefits, including the tactile exercise of the small muscle groups and decompression of stressful situations, even stressors as common as a day at school or the office.

 

Scribfolio®activities have the added benefit of unlocking the creative juices. When you get bogged down on a project, pull out your Scribfolio® to open your mind to the myriad of possibilities within and surrounding that project. Anxiety and stress are huge determinants of physical and emotional well-being. Adults and children, alike, have stressful events that happen every day, whether at school, home, or at work, Scribfolio® can help you sooth your nerves and find inspiration in the simplest of tools — a scribble.