As an expressive medium, art can be used to help clients communicate, overcome stress, and explore different aspects of their own personalities. In psychology, the use of artistic methods to treat psychological disorders and enhance mental health is known as art therapy.
Art therapy integrates psychotherapeutic techniques with the creative process to improve mental health and well-being. The American Art Therapy Association describes art therapy as “a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.”
Art therapy is helpful in the following areas:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Complex grief
- Perfectionism – accepting imperfections
- Practicing creative problem solving
- Trauma
- Increasing higher quality family and/or couple communication
- When talk therapy is not enough or in is hard to find the words
- Appropriate for all ages
More questions about Art Therapy check out our FAQs.
American Art Therapy Association Minnesota Art Therapy Association