Art therapy

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Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy using art-making and creativity to increase emotional well-being. Art therapy combines traditional psychotherapeutic theories and techniques with specialized knowledge about the psychological aspects of the creative process, especially the affective properties of different art materials. As a mental health profession, art therapy is employed in many different clinical settings with many different types of patients. Art therapy is present in non-clinical settings as well, such as in art studios and workshops that focus on creativity development.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in making art is healing and life-enhancing. Through creating and talking about art with an art therapist, one can increase awareness of self, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences, increase cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of artistic creativity. Art therapists are professionals trained in both art and therapy and hold a master's degree in art therapy or a related field. Art therapists work with children, adolescents, and adults and provide services to individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities.

The term art therapy generally applies to the use of the visual arts in psychotherapy, while creative arts therapy refers to the use of art therapy, dance therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, poetry therapy and psychodrama. Expressive arts therapy is a term that overlaps with creative arts therapy, and generally refers to the use of performing arts for psychotherapeutic purposes.

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