Adult colouring books vs art therapy, an interesting debate

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Hugh Wilson interested in my views, as an art therapist, about adult colouring books. These books are often referred to as Art Therapy books in shops and online shopping; and I guess it's the name that I struggle with the most.

When these colouring books started to appear I felt very defensive about their titles, as I worked hard to become an art psychotherapist and felt that these books could threaten the credibility of the profession. Art therapy is a profession and art therapist/psychotherapist a protected job title; art therapists in the UK are registered with Health and Care Professionals Council (a statutory regulatory body). Saying this, however, my initial defensive reaction was towards its name; art therapy books. As time has gone by I started to feel that these books actually invited people’s curiosity and brought debate into the profession. Just as Night Nurse (the medicine), does not define or threaten the nursing profession.

Colouring books, nevertheless, can be very therapeutic and I have a few colouring pictures in my therapy consulting room. Although not necessarily creative or expressive forms of art, they can express emotional states as well as influence the individual’s mood. Above all, they facilitate the individual’s near trance state which in turn will help lower stress levels and improve quality of life. Engaging in activities such as colouring, doodling, knitting or doing crochet helps quieten the mind enough, whilst maintaining the individuals presence and vigilance in the here-and-now.  I would say that colouring could be classified as a mindfulness activity, and for this there has been plenty of evidence of its therapeutic benefits.

Follow the link to Hugh's Huffington Post article, How Adult Colouring Books Can Help You Beat Stress, with lots more information about the benefits of colouring...
...and let me know your thoughts by commenting on this post.

Marta Perestrello