What It Is

What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is a creative alternative to verbal therapy that uses the creative process of art- making to improve the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages (American Art Therapy Association, 2007). Because art is a visual language, it accesses cognitive and emotional aspects of experiences that may otherwise remain hidden from a person's awareness. Art provides greater opportunity for insight, thereby creating more possibilities for healing and overcoming obstacles to personal growth.

Art therapy is versatile and can be beneficial for anyone regardless of age or artistic background. The goal in art therapy is not to produce artistic masterpieces, but to understand your emotional experiences by creating art. Creating art within a therapeutic relationship promotes healing and insight. Also, the kind of art made in art therapy is not limited to drawing, but includes painting, sculpture, crafts, puppet-making, finger-painting, collage and more.