If you’re curious about what art therapy is and how it can help you gain deeper self-insight through creative expression this article is for you!

Strictly defined, art therapy is “a form of psychotherapy involving the encouragement of free self-expression through painting, drawing, or modeling, used as a remedial activity or an aid to diagnosis.” Art therapists are credentialed mental healthcare professionals with master’s-level or higher degrees. They use art activities as a tool to help clinically diagnosed patients.

But anyone can engage in an art activity and get some positive mental health benefits. Coloring books for adults, as an example, have become popular because they can help people de-stress. On its own, making art can be fun, frustrating, liberating, intimidating, a cultivated skill, and everything in between. The effect art making has on an individual can largely depend on their mindset and goals.

Distinct from self-directed art making, facilitated art therapy activities can be used to help people develop self-awareness, explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, reduce stress, and gain insight that furthers personal development. Under this framework, art activities are facilitated by trained individuals who help you gain deeper insight as your engage in creative self-expression as a way to learn more about yourself.

“Art Therapy” is often use as a broad umbrella term for art making that benefits a person’s wellbeing. Knowing the difference between art making, art therapy, and facilitated art therapy activities is helpful in understanding the benefits and results you can expect.

Who is Art Therapy for?

If you’re interested enough to read about art therapy – then facilitated art therapy activities are for you. You can get started today!

You don’t need to be an artist to benefit from art therapy activities: anyone can do it. The focus is on the process, rather than the product, and calling your attention to the experience of the activity. Art therapy activities can be done to maintain good mental health, or to help set you on a path to greater wellbeing if you’re facing some issues. 

A trained art therapy facilitator can help you determine what activities can work best for you, depending on your needs and goals. All you need is an open and curious mindset.

The History of Art Therapy

Art therapy as a formal practice in mental health professions dates back to the 1940s when Margaret Naumburg (who is sometimes referred to as the “mother of art therapy”) began publishing clinical cases. The term “art therapy” was used in England as far back as the 1930s, and British artist Adrian Hill is credited for formally coining the term in 1942 (about the same time as Naumburg was doing her work).

In the beginning, art therapy was used in cases where patients were lonely and confined, most notably in tuberculosis wards. The technique expanded to other areas where patients benefited from the freedom, interactivity, and healthy emotional release art therapy provided.

In the 1960s both The British Association of Art Therapists and the American Art Therapy Association were founded. More organizations around the world would arise as art therapy continued to prove its efficacy.

But at its core, using art to process thoughts and feelings is a practice that’s as old as time. The arts and creative self-expression has always played a crucial role in human history, development, culture, and consciousness. Painters, poets, sculptors, musicians, street artists, and more are all examples of the transformative, cathartic, and therapeutic power of art.

Creative expression is intrinsic to the human experience. It’s one of the most basic, elemental drives we have. Cave paintings are some of the first indications we have of people using imagery to understand and process the world around them, including their own individual experiences. In early childhood development mark making is a milestone. 

Creative self-expression is a core part of us, and something we can embrace to gain deeper insight into ourselves as individuals. 

The Science of Art Therapy

What makes art therapy activities so effective? Here are some of the elements at play:

• Creative Self-Expression. Giving yourself the time and space to create art taps into your creativity, autonomy, introspection, and provides a platform for your conscious and subconscious mind to reveal itself. For many people this opportunity doesn’t come up in daily life, and intentionally pursuing it is a powerful message to your commitment to self-care and wellbeing.
• Mindfulness. Mindfulness is a critical cognitive skill that allows you to focus your attention on experiencing the present moment. During art therapy activities mindfulness plays an important role, and exercising your mindfulness muscle makes it easier to apply in your daily life in moments where you need it most.
• Color Psychology and Symbolism. Color and symbolism often come in art therapy activities. Color psychology is the study of how colors affect human behavior and perceptions — it’s why colors can be perceived as “warm” (like orange) or “cool” (like blue). It’s also why colors like red create urgency and excitement, and colors like green can evoke a sense of calm and peace. Symbolism in art can help express things that are difficult to articulate directly with words.
• Somatic Movement. It’s not often that people identify art making with movement, but even when you are seated and drawing your hand and arm and fingers are movement. Somatic movement is defined as “Movement that’s practiced consciously with the intention of focusing on the internal experience of the moment.”
• Human Connection. During a facilitated art therapy activity you’re working with another human being you can connect with. Talking about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with a supportive counterpart can be, in itself, therapeutic. Feeling heard by someone you trust who is non-judgemental can instantly boost your mental health and wellbeing.

There is also a growing number of scientific studies that show how effective art therapy is. Some of the evidence includes:

• One study found that 81% of art therapy session participants reported improvement in their overall psychological health
• In 9 studies examining anxiety, 6 showed a strong decrease in anxiety in participants
• Published research found 79% of art therapy participants experienced increased self-esteem and more positive self-image
• In 3 studies focusing on trauma, all found a reduction of trauma symptoms.

Art therapy engages many different parts of the brain, which makes definitive scientific research complex but what’s clear is the number of people who benefit from art therapy activities is undeniable.

Benefits of Facilitated Art Therapy Activities

The benefits of art therapy are numerous. Some include:

• Increased self awareness,
• Stress reduction,
• Self-expression,
• A better understanding of thoughts, feelings, and experiences,
• Heightened emotional wellbeing,
• Enhanced creativity, 
• Improved problem-solving skills,
• Elevated communication skills,
• Emotional resilience,
• Deeper sense of connectedness,
• Direction for personal development,
• Boosted confidence,
• And more!

Get Started with Facilitated Art Therapy Activities Today!

If you’re curious about art therapy, you can read more about what I offer here. You can also contact me to schedule a facilitated art therapy activity session, or ask any questions you may have.