Art Therapy
“Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.”
— American Art Therapy Association
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Art therapy is a specialized form of therapy where we creatively explore life challenges and process internal experiences while working towards your unique mental health goals. It is like talk therapy with the additional powerful tool of creative expression – we will address what you are seeking help with just like in talk psychotherapy, but you will also make art!
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The focus is entirely on the process of creative expression, not the final product. You do not need any artistic skills, talent, or prior experience to benefit from it—anyone is welcome! While the option to create is always there, you do not have to make art in every session. Making art is an open invitation and a powerful tool, but it is entirely up to you.
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How Art Therapy Works​
Art therapy promotes an additional path for communication and healing by engaging different areas of the brain and body, going beyond language alone. It gives voice to experience and empowers transformation through visual and symbolic expression (AATA, 2017).
When we create, we activate sensory and emotional parts of the brain that talk therapy cannot always reach. This dual approach—combining creative expression with applied psychological theory—offers a safe, holistic way to explore your inner world, express complex emotions, and build resiliency, with and without words.
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The Benefits of Art Therapy
Art therapy originates from the foundational belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression inherently helps us heal. Engaging in art therapy can help you:
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Process difficult emotions
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Enhance emotional regulation
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Develop coping skills
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Gain deeper insight into internal experiences
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Reduce stress
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Manage conflict and build interpersonal skills
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Navigate life transitions
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Increase self-awareness
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Build self-esteem
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Art therapy can be beneficial for children, adolescents and adults facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, grief, difficulties with emotional expression and regulation, and much more.
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What to Expect in a Session
In art therapy sessions, you will have access to and may be encouraged to try a variety of art materials, including drawing, painting, collage, natural materials, and much more. Art mediums are tailored to your unique needs and comfort level. Art-making can be entirely intuitive and unstructured, or structured, with the therapist’s guidance as a starting point. Talking about your art making process and your needs is an integral part of the therapeutic process.
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For more detailed information about art therapy and who can practice it, visit the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) website.
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