What is art therapy?

Art therapy is a creative and integrative approach to therapy, beneficial for all ages and for resolving diverse struggles or issues. Art therapy combines talk therapy and visual art. Art is for everyone, and in a therapeutic setting, it can be a powerful tool for collaboration, hope, healing, and growth. Engaging in something different can allow you to authentically express yourself on a deeper level, which is one of the goals of therapy.

In art therapy, the focus is always on the process of art-making, not the finished product. Art therapy is founded on the idea that you don’t need to be an artist to make or benefit from art therapy since it is not about artistic skill. Art therapy uses the therapeutic benefits of non-verbal self-expression and creativity with the support of a therapist. This can help increase emotional regulation and strengthen your mind-body connection. It can also help you feel more confident and tackle perfectionism.

Art therapy uses diverse materials; we can use anything from collages, words, photography, painting, clay, fiber arts, drawing, poetry, art history, oracle decks, or other works of art. There is no right or wrong way to make art. The beauty of art therapy is that you can use it however you need to. When discussing your experiences, concerns, or issues, creative expression can be incredibly therapeutic.

Both art and therapy affect the brain in various positive ways. Different parts of the brain are engaged when making art that can help reduce symptoms of trauma, anxiety, depression, or stress. Making art also taps into the creative part of our minds, which supports divergent thinking. Divergent thinking helps generate new ideas and form solutions to a problem. This is why creativity is an essential part of therapy. Therapy helps us more profoundly process how to solve problems, find solutions, relate to others, create new experiences, and express ourselves. This can help people change their outlook and safely work through distress, negative symptoms, and pain. Art therapy takes creativity a step further through the sensory engagement of creating something tangible.

Art therapy can also affect people differently than talk therapy. For some, visually representing thoughts and feelings can be more comfortable than verbally communicating them. This therapeutic benefit helps us connect to our bodily senses and release emotions safely. You might have even used creative expression to increase focus and release tension or emotions without realizing it. For example, doodling is our brain’s way of reducing stress and self-soothing. You may have caught yourself doodling without realizing it or doing it intentionally. Doodling can help deactivate the amygdala, which is the part of the brain responsible for the flight or fight response, which activates stress and anxiety.

As humans, we are inherently creative. Humans have used sound or music, visual art, dance or movement, drama, play, and writing to express lived experiences, emotions, existential thoughts, and values. Even if you do not engage in a creative outlet, connecting with someone else’s creative production, whether music, art, literature, drama, or movement, makes us feel a profound sense of being understood and inspired or helps us define our meaning and purpose.

This is how creativity and art engage our senses, self-soothe, and foster authentic experiences. It allows us to be embodied and expand our self-awareness through increased insight into sensory, emotional, and physical experiences and how they shape our identity, beliefs, and behaviors. Whatever your experience with art or creativity, even if you have none, it can still help you heal and support therapy. Art is a way to express emotions, reconnect yourself, share your story, and gain empowerment. Art therapy integrates our mind and body to feel safe, whole, and balanced.

Who are art therapists?

Art therapy is facilitated by a professional art therapist that combines talk therapy and visual art. Being an art therapist requires credentialing, education, and training in art therapy. It’s also common for art therapists to have counseling licensure, education, and training. Professional art therapists receive a master’s degree, often in counseling and art therapy, and are credentialed by the nationally recognized Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).

The highest credential you can earn as an art therapist is the Board-Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), which assures that the art therapist has met and upholds rigorous standards and ethics. To receive this credential, an art therapist must pass a national exam, meet post-graduate clinical supervision requirements, and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of art therapy theories and clinical skills.

It is also common for art therapists to have professional training or expertise and interest in visual art before becoming an art therapist. This was my experience and where my journey began. Before I knew I wanted to become a therapist, my bachelor’s was in art history and studio art, specializing in drawing and painting. I took art classes going back to childhood, and even though I may not have known that I would become an art therapist one day, I always loved making art, talking about art, seeing others' artwork, going to art museums, and being in spaces with other creatives.

After graduating with my B.A., I remember feeling so stuck. I knew my interests but needed to figure out where to go next. I didn’t like the monetary focus on art in galleries and quickly realized how hard it would be to work as a curator in a museum. My post-undergrad years were challenging but eventually led me to discover other interests and skills I had.

I loved talking with people and learning about them on a deeper level. I was fascinated by the brain and body connection. I moved through my trauma and started to feel whole for the first time in a long time. I began to shed parts of myself that held me back. I took time to get to know myself and intuitively listen. I enjoyed helping others.

Then, one day, it hit me. I was talking to a friend who was in a graduate social work program. She casually said, “Hey, have you heard of art therapy? I think you would be into it.” I remember immediately feeling so fascinated by the words… art and therapy? Art therapy?!

I spent days researching what it was, what I needed to do, and graduate programs. I saw my journey ahead and went forward. I am an art therapist. My career started with art therapy and expanded into becoming a counselor, an educator, and a supervisor.

I share this with you if you, like me, have never known who art therapists are or need guidance in finding your path. If it is your calling, I want to help you figure out how to become an art therapist. If not, I encourage you to reflect on your interests, dreams, ambitions, or desires and take steps forward. Welcome, and be bold along the way!