You do not need to be an artist to benefit from art therapy. You do not need to know how to draw, paint or sculpt. Art therapy is a form of licensed counseling that uses creative expression as a way to process emotions, experiences and patterns that may be difficult to put into words. The focus is on what the process reveals, not on the quality of what you make.
At Artisan Counseling, several of our counselors are board-certified art counselors (ATR-BC) who integrate art-based methods into individual counseling. They are trained to use creative materials as clinical tools within a therapeutic framework.
Art therapy is a mental health profession that combines clinical counseling with the use of art materials and creative processes. It is grounded in the idea that creative expression can access parts of the brain and body that verbal processing alone may not reach.
The practice of art therapy began in the mid-20th century and has since become a recognized form of treatment supported by research in neuroscience, psychology and trauma studies. The American Art Therapy Association defines it as an integrative approach that uses art media, the creative process and the resulting artwork to help individuals explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, develop self-awareness and manage behavior.
In a clinical setting, art therapy is not an art class. There is no instruction, no right or wrong way to create and no evaluation of artistic ability. Your counselor uses the creative process and the images or objects you produce as entry points into conversation, reflection and emotional processing.
Research published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association has shown that art therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma and stress. It has been used effectively with adults, adolescents and children in a range of clinical settings.
Art therapy works because it engages both hemispheres of the brain. While talk therapy primarily activates language-based processing, art-making involves sensory, motor and emotional systems. This can be particularly helpful for experiences that were stored in the body or occurred before language was fully developed, such as early childhood events or trauma.
Art therapy is used with a wide range of clients and concerns. You may benefit from art therapy if you are dealing with:
Art therapy is also helpful for people who feel stuck in traditional talk therapy. If you find yourself repeating the same things in session without feeling like something shifts, the introduction of art materials can open a different channel of expression and processing.
It is frequently used with adolescents and children, who may not yet have the vocabulary or developmental capacity to articulate what they are feeling. Creative expression gives younger clients a way to communicate that meets them where they are.
Adults who are skeptical of art therapy often find that once they begin, the process feels less intimidating than expected. The materials do the work. Your counselor guides the rest.
This is worth repeating: you do not need any artistic skill, training or experience to participate in art therapy. There is no drawing test. No one will judge what you create. The work you produce in session is not graded, displayed or compared to anything.
Art therapy uses materials such as markers, paint, clay, collage, fabric, found objects and other media. Your counselor may suggest a specific material or prompt based on what you are working on, or they may invite you to choose your own. Some sessions are more structured, while others are open-ended.
Many clients begin by saying “I cannot draw.” That is not a barrier. In fact, the willingness to engage with something unfamiliar can itself become a meaningful part of the therapeutic process. Art therapy is about the act of creating, not the product.
What you make in session belongs to you. Your counselor may refer back to previous artwork as treatment progresses, using it to track themes, shifts and patterns over time. This visual record can offer a perspective that conversation alone does not provide.
Art therapy sessions at Artisan Counseling follow a general structure, though the specifics depend on your goals and your counselor’s approach.
Opening. Your counselor will check in with you about how you are doing, what has come up since your last session and what you want to focus on. This conversation helps guide the direction of the session.
Creating. Your counselor will introduce a material, a prompt or an open invitation to create. You may be asked to draw how you are feeling, build something out of clay, create a collage that embodies a specific experience or simply make marks on paper without a plan. The process is guided but not forced.
Reflecting. After the creating phase, your counselor will invite you to talk about what you made, what you noticed while making it and what it brings up for you. This reflection is where much of the clinical work happens. Your counselor may ask questions, offer observations or sit with you in silence as you take in what you have created.
Connecting. Your counselor will help you connect what came up during the art-making process to the broader goals of your treatment. This might involve recognizing a pattern, naming an emotion or identifying a belief that surfaced through the work.
Closing. Sessions end with a period of grounding. Your counselor will help you transition out of the creative and emotional space before you leave.
Sessions are typically 50 to 60 minutes. Art therapy can be delivered in person, and some elements can be adapted for telehealth sessions depending on the materials available to you at home.
No. Art therapy is flexible. Some sessions may involve creating, while others may focus on conversation or reflection about previous work. Your counselor will follow your lead.
Common materials include drawing supplies, paint, clay, collage materials, fabric and found objects. Your counselor will provide materials in the office. For telehealth sessions, your counselor may suggest simple items you already have at home.
Yes. Art therapy is well-suited for trauma work because it engages parts of the brain involved in sensory and emotional processing. It allows clients to express and work through experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
No. Art therapy is effective for adults, adolescents and children. Many adults find that it offers a form of expression and processing they have not experienced in other types of therapy.
Art therapy is a clinical service provided by a licensed and credentialed counselor. It is focused on emotional and psychological goals, not skill development. There is no instruction, no critique and no expectation of artistic ability.
Yes. Many counselors integrate art therapy with talk-based modalities such as CBT, EMDR or somatic therapy. Your counselor will determine the approach that best supports your goals.
Art therapy is provided within the context of licensed counseling and is billed as a standard therapy session. Most insurance plans cover it. Contact our office at 757.503.2819 to verify your benefits.
No. Your artwork is part of your clinical record and is treated with the same confidentiality as anything else discussed in therapy. It will not be shared without your consent.