There are many physical and mental requirements needed to become a successful art therapist. Whether or not they are effective depends on how the methods are used and how each individual deals with their specific disability. Being objective and having a sufficient amount of patience is vital in this healing process. Visual arts therapists use various effective methods to treat mentally impaired and visually impaired patients. In order to better understand this healing process, it is important to understand what art therapy is. Although the title may be misunderstood and difficult to define, art therapy is used in many practices to benefit mental and physical rehabilitation. Although the professional vision of art therapy is new, the idea of ​​using art therapy as an alternative healing method is old (Malchiodi 978). Namburg defines art therapy by claiming that it "bases its methods on the release of the unconscious through spontaneous artistic expression..." (qtd. in Ulman 40.1). In other words, even if we don't have the means to communicate well when faced with sensitive discussions, our subconscious may be using art as a means to show hidden emotions that cannot be expressed verbally. Bethli believes that art therapy is in contrast to any other form of creative therapy such as dance and music; the art remains visible. (Carrigan 32). This also allows you to refer back to your previous work as a therapeutic exercise. There is a lot of physical and emotional investment towards this career line. Finding a balanced line between professional and personal feelings proves important. Talking to an art therapist allowed me to answer questions about how to deal with the emotional tension that this work entails. The answer wasn't take you... middle of paper... jet, Rosalyn. "The safe and foolproof method of painting and drawing for blind or visually impaired people." American Journal of Art Therapy 32 (1993): 22-25. Web.Carrigan, Jeanne. “Picture Therapy: A Swiss Experience for the Mentally Retarded.”American Journal of Art Therapy 32 (1993): 53-57. Web.Marriott, Barbara; Margot Perry White. "The impact of art therapy on the life of a woman with mental retardation." American Journal of Art Therapy 30 (1991):10-16. Web.Ryne, Janie. “The Gestalt approach to experience, art and art therapy”. American Journal of Art Therapy 40.1 (2001): 109-120.Web.Short, Jeanette. Personal interview. March 14. 2014.Ulman, Elinor. "Art therapy: problems of definition." American Journal of Art Therapy 40.1(2001): 16-26.Web.