Who can benefit from Art Therapy?

Art therapy offers effective therapeutic support to people of all ages and backgrounds. Populations facing a diverse array of physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual problems will find art therapy of great service. Art therapists work with individuals, couples, families, groups and organisations. They may be the primary therapist to their client(s) or they may provide therapy in conjunction with other care professionals such as medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, teachers, social workers and ministers. Artistic abilities and skills are not required for participating in art therapy. The technical quality and appeal of the creations clients produce do not effect the therapeutic value of art therapy. The process inherent in creativity, along with the meaningful stories told about both product and process, are central to the therapeutic experience. Finally, it is worth noting that art therapy not only addresses clinical issues but also provides tremendous ...  more

A common misperception of art therapy is that people need to be artistically inclined in order to participate. The beauty of art as therapy is that artistic ability is not required, because art expression in any form is embraced. The goal here is not that one make masterpieces, but rather to have an understanding and acceptance that everyone has an innate ability to be creative. Through the process of creating one can gain personal insight, new perspective, and have an opportunity to transform. What is an Art Therapy Session Like? In all forms of psychotherapy, the presence of a professional facilitator is a central aspect to the healing process. Having a safe, trusting relationship with an art therapist along with the making of art enhances the potential growth within the client. Within an art therapy session, the therapist can serve as a supportive guide to clients' exploration of materials, help with the examination of content and meaning of images, and be a compassionate witness ...  more

It is also helpful for those who are highly verbal or tend to intellectualize, as art can help bypass the parts of us which censor what we are willing to talk about. Children choose art as a natural language for self expression and they are often more comfortable exploring difficult feelings through art. Adolescents are at the height of their creative capacities and as they struggle to find their individual identity in a confusing world, art can facilitate self-exploration, improve self-awareness, and encourage responsible choices and positive growth. For those children and adolescents who have learning challenges, or who struggle with depression, anxiety or behavioral issues, art provides an opportunity to build improved cognitive, social, and interpersonal skills and improve self esteem. Individuals who are blocked in areas such as memory, expression of feeling, or social interactions find that art therapy provides a safe place to express themselves, discover new ways to interact, ...  more

Like other forms of psychotherapy, art therapy is for people of all ages - children, youth, adults, older adults - who may be struggling with issues that include, but are not limited to: • low self-esteem • anger • depression • stress • anxiety • social isolation • loneliness • trauma • chronic illness • cognitive impairment • developmental disabilities/delays • conduct disorder • abandonment • grief/bereavement Back to Art Therapy FAQs  more

A. Art Therapy is effective for people of any age. An art therapist works with individuals, couples, families, or groups in settings such as counselling agencies, schools, treatment centers, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, correctional institutes, and elder care locations.  more