Mindfulness practices in art therapy using ceramic clay

From the early ages, when communication had not developed yet to the digital age, art, being the most basic form of expression, has created a therapeutic effect as it facilitates the externalization of unexpressed feelings and thoughts. Regarding the mentioned characteristics, art is a form of creative externalization tool that is also included in therapy methods. Working with ceramic clay during the art therapy practices, offers an intense tactile experience that reminds us of the pre-verbal period of primitive communication in our lives. This characteristic of mud reveals its benefit and quality in the therapeutic case. The aims of this study are to examine the support that provided by clay therapy to the human life, to determine the position of the artist and ceramic art in the field of art therapy, and to reveal the situation of this discipline in the world and in our country. To this aim, the concepts of art and psychology were discussed, the discipline of art therapy and the institutions provide training in this field were examined and the ceramic artists carry out therapies using ceramic clay are dealt with. Furthermore, two different art therapy practices were carried out as an adviser and as a client. One of them is the mindfulness practice carried out in the "Ceramics Studio" course in the Fine Arts Department under the Rectorate of Erciyes University. In the other one, the researcher experienced a mindfulness session using ceramic clay under the supervision of an art therapist. It was indicated that Ceramics Studio students chose the course in order to purify the stress of daily life and to develop creative products. At the end of both practices, it is determined that working with ceramic clay creates awareness, and provides a kind of relaxation, purification and discharge.