Seeking therapy for working through life events or mental health issues is becoming increasingly popular. And in our search for therapists, we’ve found different forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, couples counseling, and EMDR. There is also art therapy, which is a form of therapy that uses creative expression to support and improve your mental health. Here, we break down what art therapy is, how it works, and some of its benefits.
The Origins of Art Therapy
Artist Adrian Hill is widely regarded as the founder of art therapy; however, art has helped humans process and move through challenging situations since ancient civilizations. In the 1940s, Hill was recovering from tuberculosis in a sanatorium and spent his recovery doing art. From there, the idea that art has therapeutic benefits was born. While convalescing from TB, he suggested fellow patients create art, as documented in his book, Art Versus Illness.
What Is Art Therapy?
The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as a form of integrative mental healthcare that enhances the lives of individuals, families, and communities via creating art, the creative process, and psychological theory. This form of therapy supports both personal and relational treatment goals, improves cognitive and sensory-motor functions, boosts emotional stability, promotes self-esteem, and reduces conflict, among many other benefits.
Therapists specializing in art therapy are master-level clinicians that work with people of all ages in a variety of settings to help them cope with mental and medical health problems or seek personal or spiritual growth. Art therapy engages the patient through kinesthetics, sensory, and perceptual opportunities through visual and symbolic expression.
The Benefits of Art Therapy
Art therapy under the guidance of a licensed, certified clinician allows patients to create visual arts, from drawing and painting to sculpting, giving healing power through creative expression. It is a type of therapy used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy. A 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found that engaging in creative activities for about an hour can reduce stress and improve mental health, regardless of artistic experience or talent.
Other benefits of art therapy include:
- Managing the stress and pain of cancer patients
- Building and boosting self-esteem
- Improving symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Assisting treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Improving the behavior of autistic children
- Coping with family and relationship problems
- Substance abuse
- Emotional difficulties
Art Techniques
Don’t think of art therapy as an art class or something you must be “good” at. Art therapy allows people to undergo self-exploration, gain insight into themselves, and develop coping skills.
Techniques used in art therapy include:
- Coloring
- Drawing
- Painting
- Collaging
- Pottery
- Doodling
- Photography
- Sculpting
- Finger painting
Art therapists often use a combination of the art methods listed above to help patients work through whatever brought them into therapy. Find and learn more about therapists near you on the American Art Therapy Association therapist locator.