What is Art Therapy?



Art, and the creative process, is healing and transformative.
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) defines art therapy as "a mental health 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." Keep scrolling to explore AATA's informational handout on "What is Art Therapy?" along with an infographic comparing art therapy to traditional art classes.
You're supported every step of the way. You get to choose how you make art, how much you share, and what feels safe. I may suggest certain prompts or directives to follow or you may freely create what you need in the moment. Art therapy is not about talent or always producing a "beautiful" piece of art. It’s about using the creative process to explore what is going on inside of you in a safe, meaningful way. Sometimes, it is hard to access the words to express how we feel, especially after stress, loss, or trauma. Art gives those feelings a voice.
In art therapy, you give form to thoughts and emotions that feel stuck, overwhelming, or invisible. This process helps release tension, gain clarity, and feel more in control of your story. The physical boundaries of the paper or canvas help contain emotions, while creating art calms the mind, manages stress, and anchors you in the present. Over time, your art may reflect your strength, resilience, and growth. It doesn’t need to look a certain way to benefit you; what matters most is what the art means to you and how you feel when creating.
Art therapy can:
- support emotion awareness, expression, regulation, and processing
- make the inner experience visible
- build confidence
- encourage stress management and relaxation
- reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma
- strengthen self-worth
- explore identity and roles
- allow for a sense of control and choice
- increase mindfulness and present-moment awareness
- externalize and defuse difficult thoughts and emotions
- rebuild a sense of control, safety, and trust
- provide nonverbal expression when words are difficult to access
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increase tolerance for uncertainty or distress
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encourage flexibility and problem-solving
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cultivate hope, meaning, and personal strengths
- and more!
Art materials and techniques we can use:
- painting with acrylics or watercolors
- drawing with pencils, pens, markers, charcoal
- oil and chalk pastels
- collage with magazines, printed images, photographs, stickers, scrap paper
- stamps
- book making and art journaling
- altered books
- mask making
- clay and modeling dough
- needle felting
- textiles: fabric, felt, yarn
- yarn works, such as knitting or crocheting
- digital art
- photography
- found objects and recycled materials
- and more!
