What is Art Therapy?

By: Diane Maytas, MA, LPCC, ATR, CHT

Art Therapy is a mind-body intervention. Art Therapy is a form of expressive therapy that utilizes the benefits of self-expression and psychotherapy. Through the use of visual and expressive arts, the client can discover the ability to identify emotions and cope with stress, tensions, and trauma.

Clients learn to cope with events in their lives by creating and reflecting on their own artwork with the help of a registered art therapist.

Utilizing the arts along with psychotherapy skills, art therapists choose materials and interventions to meet the needs of their clients and design therapy sessions based on the client’s therapeutic goals and objectives.