What is art therapy?

Art therapy is an integrative modality and form of psychotherapy that incorporates visual art making as a way to support self-expression.

Learn about Art Therapy

With Adults

Sometimes words are just not enough for what we need to express. Art therapy is a way to regulate our emotions and bodies, engage in self-exploration, uncover unconscious thoughts, and tell our story. We believe that all people are creative. Whether you paint on a regular basis or haven’t touched art materials since elementary school, we invite you to partake in the creative process. Art making is less about what we make and more about the process. Clients find that art making helps them feel more relaxed in the space, understand their emotions more fully, and discover parts of themselves that they had forgotten.

With Children and teens

Children and teens often don’t have the words to express what they are experiencing. For children, art and play are their first languages. For teens, the creative process is a natural outlet for self-expression. Art therapy is a way for your child’s therapist to interact and support your child or teen in a way that feels safe and welcoming to them. During art therapy, your child will engage in self-expression, explore emotions, and develop coping skills. Art therapy can be anything from creating an anxiety monster to your child telling me about their favorite food to helping them imagine what a transition might look like.

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A white woman's hands are holding a paint brush and paint pallet. Her hands are resting on her knees. She is wearing jeans. Behind her is a canvas with paint.

Art therapy can be beneficial for..

  • self-exploration

  • working on mindfulness and being in the moment

  • processing difficult things from the past

  • imagining the future

  • conceptualizing boundaries

  • understanding various parts of ourselves

  • self-regulation

  • understanding various emotions

  • supporting communication

Common Questions

Do I have to be good at art to participate in art therapy?

No! Sometimes, the less experience people have the better. Art therapy is way more about the process than the product. Stick figures are amazing and always welcome.

What if I don’t know what to make?

In art therapy we can help guide your ideas and creativity. Your therapist might give you a prompt to think about when creating art or direct you to a certain material based on what we think might be helpful. It is also okay to just sit and doodle or scribble. Whatever you make, client’s walk away from art therapy feeling lighter and calmer.

Do I have to participate in art therapy?

Only if you want to! While we believe that art therapy can be beneficial for everyone, we will not force you to make art.