Self Portrait Therapy

It's that time of the year, again, when I paint/draw a self portrait. I've been doing this practice for many years now. An art therapist suggested it back when I was in elementary school, and I've been doing it ever since. The practice of self-portraits has been around for many years but has been studied a lot more in recent years.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that self-portrait therapy can be an effective treatment for depression. Participants in the study who engaged in self-portrait therapy showed significant reductions in symptoms of depression compared to those who did not receive the therapy.

Another study published in the Journal of Art Therapy found that self-portrait therapy can help improve body image and self-esteem. Participants in the study who engaged in self-portrait therapy showed significant improvements in their body image and self-esteem compared to those who did not receive the therapy.

I have found all of these things to be true. It's a chance to sit down and reflect on your values, feelings, and emotions. I love how it gets me out of my comfort zone with my art. It helps me come up with a composition that reflects my personality and loves. Here's my most recent self portrait I oil painted on paper.

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6 Reasons To Try Self Portrait Therapy

1. Self-exploration: Self-portrait therapy can help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a creative way. I've always found it helps me connect with my inner self.
2. Personal growth: By exploring and reflecting on your self-portrait, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your personal growth. I normally identify areas of strengths and weaknesses, and set goals for self-improvement.
3. Self-expression: Self-portrait therapy is a creative outlet that allows you to express yourself in a non-verbal way. I used to struggle a lot with writing and talking about my emotions, so drawing gave me a different way to express that.
4. Stress reduction: Creating art can be a relaxing and meditative activity that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. I like to put on my favourite albums and just jam out while I'm creating art. Audiobooks are another way for me to set a relaxing mood.
5. Emotional release: Creating a self-portrait can be a cathartic experience that allows you to release emotions that you may have been holding onto. Sometimes my emotions build up and they're hard to release. A self-portrait gives you the chance to let those big emotions out. Sitting in there thinking about it and then painting is like this neat way to release the built up energy.
6. Coping mechanism: Self-portrait therapy can be a helpful coping mechanism for dealing with difficult emotions or life events. When I am going through a challenging time, turning to art is a great way for me to do something positive with my time. Instead of moping around or distracting myself from the thoughts, I can use that energy and emotion for creativity.

Share your self-portraits and tag me on social media if you try it out. I'd love to see your creations.

Read More About Using Art To Process Your Emotions Here

Using Art As A Way To Process Negative Emotions

Written by Megan ~ Art was there through it all. It was there to give me a space to process my feelings. I spend a lot of my spare time drawing my feelings.

Megan Josol ArtMegan Josol