What Is Art Therapy?

What Is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a type of counseling that uses art-making as an approach to help individuals. This form of therapy can be effective for many mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, ADHD, grief and loss issues, dementia issues, relationship troubles and more.

Art therapy was born in the 20th century as a restorative technique that allowed people to express their emotions nonverbally through nonverbal means, such as drawing or painting. Professional art therapists are educated to assist clients using visual arts to express thoughts, feelings and experiences in a safe collaborative setting.

Clients often appreciate the creative aspects of a session and find it to be a healing experience. It helps them connect to their inner selves, releasing emotions in ways words cannot convey.

King emphasizes that art can be a powerful tool in helping those dealing with major life transitions, such as moving or losing someone in the family, express their emotions more accurately. Artwork gives them an outlet to get out of their head and begin seeing things from new angles, offering hope and perspective on these difficult experiences.

Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be useful for those facing eating disorders, physical illnesses or other problems that don’t respond to traditional talk therapies.

A typical art therapy session involves you sitting with your therapist and creating artwork. They’ll guide you through the creation process while asking questions to help you explore thoughts, feelings and experiences. The purpose is for the artwork to represent who you are and showcase your unique personality.