According to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), art therapy is “a mental health profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art making, creative processes, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship”. Professionals trained in art therapy help people with disabilities to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, cultivate emotional resilience, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, enhance social skills, and promote insight, among others. Art therapy may be even more effective when combined with other forms of therapy, such as music, dance, and other sensory stimuli.

Art therapy may occur in many settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing centers, assisted living centers, and outpatient settings, among others. It can be used to aid treatment and therapy and enhance communication between patients and medical staff in a nonverbal manner. Anyone with or without disabilities may benefit from art therapy, no matter the age, gender, or artistic skill, among others. Art therapy has been shown to be effective for people experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, cancer, or other conditions. Some benefits of art therapy include positive mental health benefits, self-expression, feeling safe, feeling empowered, and expressing complex feelings, among other benefits.

To learn more about art therapy and to find an art therapist in your community, contact NARIC’s information specialists via chat, phone, or email.