Art therapy uses creativity and artistic expression to improve a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This form of expressive and recreational therapy can help people reduce stress, develop healthy coping skills, and improve self-esteem and self-awareness. It can also be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including psychological disorders. During art therapy, patients are encouraged to express their feelings through art forms such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, writing, pottery, and molding clay. Art therapists then work with patients to analyze their artistic creations, discuss how their art makes them feel, and identify themes that may be affecting their behaviors, attitudes, and overall well-being.

Art therapists use a combination of art and psychology to help patients improve their well-being and to cope with and recover from mental, emotional, and physical health problems. These therapists are usually trained in various forms of artistic expression and have earned degrees, certifications, and licenses that allow them to practice professional art therapy. Art therapists may collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care for their patients, and may also develop customized treatment plans for patients based on their unique situations and preferred methods of artistic expression. They encourage patients to express their feelings through art and use their psychological expertise to help patients reflect on their creations and cope with their problems.

Art therapy combines traditional psychotherapy with artistic expression and uses art as a gateway to help people identify, cope with, and recover from mental, emotional, and physical health conditions. With traditional talk therapy, patients have one-on-one discussions with their therapists about difficult emotions and experiences and work with their therapists to control and cope with their symptoms and problems to facilitate healing and greater well-being. In comparison, art therapy sessions allow patients to express themselves through art, then talk about their creations with their art therapist and others in their therapy group. Art therapy is often considered a type of recreational therapy along with music therapy, equine therapy, and nature therapy.