What is Art Therapy? Understanding the Healing Power of Creative Expression

This is the immediate follow-up question I get when people ask me what it is I do for work when I tell them I’m an Art Therapist. Then a common second question usually ends up being, “Is it those inkblot things?”

To simply put it, Art Therapy is using art in a therapy session to express yourself!

That’s my elevator pitch, but let’s take some time to dive deeper into this topic.

What is Art Therapy and What Does an Art Therapist Do?

Art Therapy is a mental health profession where Art Therapists are master-level clinicians trained in fine arts, psychological theory, counseling, metaphor, and symbolism. It is not “those inkblot things,” but I can understand the confusion.

Rorschach inkblot tests are a completely different professional lane in the field of psychology that has its own training criteria.

Art Therapy is also its own professional lane in the field of psychology. This means that not everyone can ethically call themselves an Art Therapist or say that they use Art Therapy in sessions. I had to go through a similar credentialing process that all licensed mental health counselors are required to complete, but the level of education and supervision that is required of an Art Therapist is actually a more extensive process than your typical talk therapist.

On average, it takes a person 8–10 years to become an Art Therapist. Which is why it drives me absolutely bananas when I see clinicians on Psychology Today saying that they practice the modality of Art Therapy but have not completed the proper education or training.

If you are specifically looking for an Art Therapist for support on your healing journey, make sure they have one of these three credentials:

ATR-P (Provisional Registered Art Therapist)
ATR (Registered Art Therapist)
ATR-BC (Board Certified Registered Art Therapist)

What to Expect in an Art Therapy Session

Now that I’ve gotten my ethical soapbox introduction out of the way, let’s keep exploring what Art Therapy is and what you, as the client, can expect in session.

Each session varies based on your needs. Sometimes I have Art Therapy directives planned before your session, but at other times you may come into session, begin sharing, and it is evident that you’re needing a completely different Art Therapy prompt. I will then think of an image for you to create on the spot, which is a skill I have become quite equipped at over the years of practice.

I do watch you make art, but I promise after a few sessions it will not feel as weird. I know how to hold the space for you while sitting in silence. Watching you create is part of my process of getting to know you as my client.

Tip: You could also benefit from related emotional support services like Counseling for Women or Trauma Counseling in St. Petersburg to complement your Art Therapy sessions.

Art Therapy: The Power of Expression vs. Suppression

The most important thing to note is that Art Therapy sessions are a judgment-free zone. I will never critique your artwork because Art Therapy is about the process, not the product. You could come in with zero artistic skills and still benefit from this modality. Art Therapy is for everybody!

It is a tool to teach you how to express yourself instead of perpetuating the cycles of suppression.

My job as the Art Therapist is to be a guide. I will guide you on how to use the supplies, how to explore the symbolism within the art piece, or how to interpret the emotions that surface while you create.

You’ll have a variety of options to meet your needs. No matter what you choose, I become the observer and then facilitate specific questions to guide you through processing what you are expressing or creating within the art.

Why Words Alone Aren’t Enough: The Deeper Magic of Art Therapy

I believe that words alone are not enough to heal. This is why you hear time and time again that clients hit a ceiling when it comes to talk therapy.

Although talking about your pain is extremely helpful, the use of verbal language is only a fraction of the whole process of healing because the body and unconscious minds remember what our everyday level of consciousness does not.

The use of art gently takes you to those deeper levels that go beyond the conceptualization of verbal language. Art effortlessly taps into the unconscious mind to bring forth important information about the self to the surface that can then be processed.

What surfaces may include various thoughts, beliefs, experiences, pain, and trauma. What clients often discover during Art Therapy sessions is that something reveals itself in the artwork that they did not intentionally mean to create. But the art never lies.

Creating art is a physical act that gives the unconscious mind and body a place to share its story, to express what has been suppressed.

If you’re processing emotions from past relationships, you might also consider Divorce Counseling in St. Petersburg to support your healing journey alongside Art Therapy.

Art Therapy as a Journey of Self-Discovery

With continued practice, creating art increases self-awareness and overall well-being, giving you the opportunity to integrate layers of healing without hitting a ceiling.

It’s pure magic, I swear.

When a client is new to Art Therapy, I slowly introduce them to the creative process. I understand for most people this is a foreign way of expressing themselves. I will do my best to not overwhelm you.

During the first session, I normally explain what Art Therapy is and will start out with a simple drawing to break the ice.

As sessions continue, you will notice that it gets easier to express yourself through this creative process, but we won’t be in a rush. I am here to meet you at the pace you need, while also lovingly challenging the growth you desire.

Your Role in Art Therapy: Responsibility and Healing

I will be real with you though—this process will only go as deep as you are willing to be guided.

So, even though you do not have to be an artist when participating in Art Therapy sessions, you do still have to take responsibility for your healing. I am here as a guide for your healing journey, but I cannot do the inner work for you.