What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.

Art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns. Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.

Art therapy offers a powerful path to healing for those navigating PTSD, grief, acute stress, and other psychological challenges. By engaging in creative expression, individuals can access and process difficult experiences that often lie beyond the reach of language. Through imagery and metaphor, art becomes a bridge to self-understanding, helping to integrate fragmented memories and construct coherent, meaningful narratives. Grounded in principles of safety, trauma-informed care, and emotional regulation, art therapy parallels evidence-based psychological approaches while offering a uniquely embodied and transformative experience. It not only facilitates emotional release but also fosters resilience, insight, and growth.