Art Therapy: What It Is and What to Expect

Art therapy is a form of therapy in which a creative arts therapist uses art-making and the creative process in their therapeutic work with a client. The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association, or ANZACATA, describes creative arts therapists as mental health professionals who use art, media and the creative process as therapy. Most people come to the topic of art therapy with questions about its benefits. The most reasonable answer is that experiences of art therapy can vary widely from person to person. This article describes what art therapy involves rather than seeking to prove what it achieves. It’s a guide focused on what art therapy offers, art therapy as a different way of working, how it differs from making art for fun, what an art therapy session may involve, and how to check an art therapist's credentials.

What Is Art Therapy?

Art therapy sits within a wider family of therapeutic approaches that ANZACATA calls creative arts therapies. Examples of the art, media, and creative processes these therapists use include:

• drawing, 
• writing, 
• sculpting, 
• drama, 
• clay, 
• sand, and 
• dance and movement. 

When people say 'art therapy', they usually have the visual arts, such as drawing or working with clay, in mind, whereas 'creative arts therapy’ is generally known to also include drama, dance, and movement.

ANZACATA notes that creative arts therapies can be practised with individual clients, families, and groups, so art therapy for adults might be one-to-one or shared with others.

Art Therapy Versus Recreational Art

Sketching at the kitchen table, a pottery class, or a colouring book can all be enjoyable, and Healthdirect includes participating in activities you enjoy as part of building good mental health. That's a good reason to make time for a creative hobby. However, a creative hobby and an art therapy session are not the same thing.

The main difference lies in the professional relationship and guidance involved. A creative arts therapist provides art therapy, and ANZACATA's ethical standards outline what this involves: therapists inform clients about the services offered, obtain informed consent, and have a primary responsibility to respect client confidentiality. An art class or a quiet afternoon with a sketchbook is a lovely pastime in its own right, but it lacks the therapeutic structure and aims of art therapy.

What Art Therapy Involves

This section describes what art therapy can offer. It isn't a list of proven results, and the experience of art therapy can differ widely from person to person.

Expression Beyond Words

Because art therapy happens through drawing, clay or other materials, it offers a way to express something without relying on talking. Some people find this appealing and useful while others are perfectly comfortable with words. Neither is a better starting point, it all depends on personal preference and experience.

Engagement and Meaningful Activity

An art therapy session involves taking part in a creative process, whatever your starting point. The link Healthdirect makes between doing things you enjoy and overall mental health is about general everyday life, not a directive about seeking art therapy. However, it’s a useful reminder that time spent on an activity that has meaning for you counts as self-care.

Connection in Group Settings

Since creative arts therapies can be practised with families and groups as well as individuals, some sessions involve working alongside others. Whether that feels like a plus depends on  how comfortable you are in a group and what creative practices are being utilised, so it's worth getting clear on  what group art therapy involves with your provider.

What Does the Evidence Establish?

It helps to separate out two issues: the description of what art therapy involves, and the evidence for what art therapy achieves. The sources used for this article are largely descriptive. They explain who creative arts therapists are, what they do and the standards they work to. The sources used for this article do not assess how well art therapy works, for whom, or for what.

That's why this article doesn't promise particular results from art therapy, and why it's reasonable to be cautious about anyone who does. ANZACATA's ethical standards say creative arts therapists don't make unjustifiable claims about outcomes or their services. A therapist should be comfortable talking with you about what they can and can't offer.

What Might Happen During an Art Therapy Session?

Art therapy sessions can be individual, family, or group-based, so there's no single script for how a session will run. Going by ANZACATA's ethical standards, though, some elements of an art therapy session should be consistent:

• Explanation: the therapist informs you about the nature of the services they offer and what will take place in the session.
• Consent: they obtain your informed consent, and respect your right to continue in therapy or to withdraw.
• Confidentiality: they communicate that they have a primary responsibility to respect and honour your confidentiality.

The creative work itself might involve drawing, clay or another of the materials mentioned earlier. You stay in charge of whether you continue or not, and it's fine to ask questions or withdraw participation at any point.

Questions to Ask an Art Therapist

ANZACATA describes itself as a member-run, self-regulating non-profit company, and it publishes membership categories and requirements for practitioners. It’s important to note that art therapists are not regulated by AHPRA, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Regulation requirements for art therapy can change, so it makes sense to check a therapist's current membership rather than rely on their title alone. Questions worth asking your prospective art therapist include:

• What training do you have?
• What is your current professional membership category?
• What experience do you have working with people in my situation?
• Do you receive professional supervision?
• How do consent and confidentiality work in your sessions?
• Do you offer individual or group sessions, and is the space accessible for me?
• What are your fees?
• What does a typical session with you look like?

When to Seek Broader Professional Support

Art therapy won't suit everyone, and it's one self-care option among many. If you're struggling, Healthdirect recommends speaking with your doctor, who can advise you or refer you to a mental health professional if you need more help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is colouring at home the same as art therapy?

No. 

Colouring, drawing, and crafting at home are enjoyable ways to spend time. Art therapy involves working with a creative arts therapist, within professional standards that cover consent, confidentiality and a clear explanation of the service.

Does art therapy work for everyone?

No one can promise that. 

The sources used for this article describe what art therapy involves, but they don't establish how well it works for any particular people or purposes. ANZACATA's ethical standards also say therapists do not make unjustifiable claims about the outcomes of art therapy.

How can I check an art therapist's credentials?

Ask about their training and their current professional membership category, then check it with the association they name. 

ANZACATA publishes its membership categories and requirements, and because these can change, it's worth confirming their current position.

Can art therapy replace other mental-health care?

No.

If you have a care plan, keep following it, and talk with the professionals involved before changing anything. If you're finding things hard, Healthdirect recommends speaking to your doctor.

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