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What Is Art Therapy?

By
Kendra Cherry
Updated on August 31, 2021

Medically reviewed by
Amy Morin, LCSW

Fact checked by
Aaron Johnson

Table of Contents

Definition

Types

Techniques

Uses

Benefits

VIEW ALL

What Is Art Therapy?

The use of artistic methods to treat psychological disorders and enhance mental health is
known as art therapy. Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression
can foster healing and mental well-being.

People have been relying on the arts for communication, self-expression, and healing for
thousands of years. But art therapy didn't start to become a formal program until the 1940s.

Doctors noted that individuals living with mental illness often expressed themselves in
drawings and other artworks, which led many to explore the use of art as a healing strategy.
Since then, art has become an important part of the therapeutic field and is used in some
assessment and treatment techniques.

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Types of Creative Therapies

Art therapy is not the only type of creative art used in the treatment of mental illness. Other
types of creative therapies include:

Dance therapy
Drama therapy
Expressive therapy
Music therapy

Writing therapy

Techniques
The goal of art therapy is to utilize the creative process to help people explore self-
expression and, in doing so, find new ways to gain personal insight and develop new coping
skills.

The creation or appreciation of art is used to help people explore emotions, develop self-
awareness, cope with stress, boost self-esteem, and work on social skills.

Techniques used in art therapy can include:

Collage
Coloring
Doodling and scribbling

Drawing

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Finger painting
Painting
Photography
Sculpting
Working with clay

As clients create art, they may analyze what they have made and how it makes them feel.
Through exploring their art, people can look for themes and conflicts that may be affecting
their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

What Art Therapy Can Help With

Art therapy can be used to treat a wide range of mental disorders and psychological distress.
In many cases, it might be used in conjunction with other psychotherapy techniques such as
group therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Some conditions that art therapy may be used to treat include:

Aging-related issues

Anxiety
Cancer

Depression
Eating disorders

Emotional difficulties
Family or relationship problems

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Medical conditions

Psychological symptoms associated with other medical issues

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Psychosocial issues
Stress

Substance use disorder

Benefits of Art Therapy

According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association,
less than an hour of creative activity can reduce your stress and have a positive effect on
your mental health, regardless of artistic experience or talent.

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An art therapist may use a variety of art methods, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and
collage with clients ranging from young children to older adults.

Clients who have experienced emotional trauma, physical violence, domestic abuse, anxiety,
depression, and other psychological issues can benefit from expressing themselves
creatively.

Some situations in which art therapy might be utilized include:

Adults experiencing severe stress

Children experiencing behavioral or social problems at school or at home

Children or adults who have experienced a traumatic event

Children with learning disabilities

Individuals living with a brain injury

People experiencing mental health problems

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Effectiveness
While research suggests that art therapy may be beneficial, some of the findings on its
effectiveness are mixed. Studies are often small and inconclusive, so further research is
needed to explore how and when art therapy may be most beneficial. 

In studies of adults who experienced trauma, art therapy was found to significantly
reduce trauma symptoms and decrease levels of depression.
One review of the effectiveness of art therapy found that this technique helped patients
undergoing medical treatment for cancer improve their quality of life and alleviated a
variety of psychological symptoms.
One study found that art therapy reduced depression and increased self-esteem in
older adults living in nursing homes.

Things to Consider
If you or someone you love is thinking about art therapy, there are some common
misconceptions and facts you should know.

You Don't Have to Be Artistic

People do not need to have artistic ability or special talent to participate in art therapy, and
people of all ages including children, teens, and adults can benefit from it. Some research
suggests that just the presence of art can play a part in boosting mental health.

A 2017 study found that art displayed in hospital settings contributed to an environment
where patients felt safe. It also played a role in improving socialization and maintaining an
identity outside of the hospital.

It's Not the Same as an Art Class

People often wonder how an art therapy session differs from an art class. Where an art class
is focused on teaching technique or creating a specific finished product, art therapy is more
about letting clients focus on their inner experience.

In creating art, people are able to focus on their own perceptions, imagination, and feelings.
Clients are encouraged to create art that expresses their inner world more than making

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something that is an expression of the outer world.

Art Therapy Can Take Place in a Variety of Settings

Inpatient offices, private mental health offices, schools, and community organizations are all
possible settings for art therapy services. Additionally, art therapy may be available in other
settings such as:

Art studios

Colleges and universities

Community centers
Correctional facilities

Elementary schools and high schools

Group homes
Homeless shelters
Hospitals

Private therapy offices

Residential treatment centers
Senior centers

Wellness center
Women's shelters

If specialized media or equipment is required, however, finding a suitable setting may

become challenging.

Art Therapy Is Not for Everyone

Art therapy isn’t for everyone. While high levels of creativity or artistic ability aren't necessary
for art therapy to be successful, many adults who believe they are not creative or artistic
might be resistant or skeptical of the process.

In addition, art therapy has not been found effective for all types of mental health conditions.
For example, one meta-analysis found that art therapy is not effective in reducing positive or
negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

How to Get Started

If you think you or someone you love would benefit from art therapy, consider the following
steps:

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Seek out a trained professional. Qualified art therapists will hold at least a master’s
degree in psychotherapy with an additional art therapy credential. To find a qualified art
therapist, consider searching the Art Therapy Credentials Board website.
Call your health insurance. While art therapy may not be covered by your health
insurance, there may be certain medical waivers to help fund part of the sessions. Your
insurance may also be more likely to cover the sessions if your therapist is a certified
psychologist or psychiatrist who offers creative therapies.
Ask about their specialty. Not all art therapists specialize in all mental health
conditions. Many specialize in working with people who have experienced trauma or
individuals with substance use disorders, for example.
Know what to expect. During the first few sessions, your art therapist will likely ask
you about your health background as well as your current concerns and goals. They
may also suggest a few themes to begin exploring via drawing, painting, sculpting, or
another medium.
Be prepared to answer questions about your art-making process. As the sessions
progress, you'll likely be expected to answer questions about your art and how it makes
you feel. For example: What were you thinking while doing the art? Did you notice a
change of mood from when you started to when you finished? Did the artwork stir any
memories?

Becoming an Art Therapist

If you are interested in becoming an art therapist, start by checking with your state to learn
more about the education, training, and professional credentials you will need to practice. In
most cases, you may need to first become a licensed clinical psychologist, professional
counselor, or social worker in order to offer psychotherapy services.

In the United States, the Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc. (ATCB) offers credentialing
programs that allow art therapists to become registered, board-certified, or licensed
depending upon the state in which they live and work.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, the minimum requirements:

A master's degree in art therapy, or

A master's degree in counseling or a related field with additional coursework in art

therapy

Additional post-graduate supervised experience is also required. You can learn more about
the training and educational requirements to become an art therapist on the AATA website.

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20 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts
within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our
content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Additional Reading

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2018: 29-1125
Recreational Therapists; 2019.

Nielsen SL, Fich LB, Roessler KK, Mullins MF. How do patients actually experience and use art in
hospitals? The significance of interaction: a user-oriented experimental case study. Int J Qual
Stud Health Well-being. 2017;12(1):1267343. doi:10.1080/17482631.2016.1267343

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