Under what circumstances is Datura painting therapy more effective? Can you draw by yourself?

In psychotherapy, Datura painting, as one of the main methods of artistic expression therapy, can show the unconscious conflict of the painter through symbolic means, and with the help of Datura's unique integration function, it can integrate inner contradictions and obtain internal harmony and stability.

Huyser divides Datura painting therapy into two functions: reflective function and creative function. She believes that many times the passion of reflection and creation is difficult to retain. When creating Datura, the outline of Datura creates a protective space where visitors can use their imagination and paint in any color, and individuals will experience calmness, satisfaction, love and pleasure. At the same time, visitors may freely express anger, anxiety, resentment and rage in the process of expression. When these emotions are realized, they get the opportunity to deal with and transform.

First of all, Datura painting can improve the positive psychological quality of individuals in developmental counseling. Maldi and others developed and found that mandala group paintings are helpful to improve the sense of intimacy and identity among members. After drawing Datura, the subjects' self-awareness and subjective well-being have been significantly improved, because Datura painting can awaken the integrated function of the inner self.

Secondly, in general psychotherapy, Datura painting has the function of expressing and transforming emotions. Curry and Kasser (2005) found that Datura and structural coloring help to reduce anxiety, and Datura is superior to structural coloring, because Datura painting can enhance the inner sense of order through cohesion and integration, thus reducing the degree of diffuse anxiety.

Finally, Datura painting is used to treat more serious psychological problems. Datura painting can find the pattern of neurosis and has a deep therapeutic effect on it. Neurosis is mainly a strong inner conflict, which has not been solved for a long time and is manifested in various obvious or physical ways. Datura gives them a safe space to express contradictions and finally solve them.

Therefore, in clinical psychotherapy, Datura stramonium can have both evaluation and treatment functions. Among many psychotherapy methods, few have both evaluation and treatment functions, which is also the advantage of Datura painting.