The Emotional Benefits of Art Therapy

Written by: Marina Doering, Art Therapist for Franciscan Children’s

Art therapy is not only a great way to reduce stress, but it has also been found to improve or restore a patient’s functioning and sense of personal well-being. It is a distinct discipline that utilizes visual media, the art-making process, and materials as vehicles for therapeutic purposes.

Art has been a form of communication and self-expression for thousands of years, but only became a form of therapeutic treatment in the 1940’s. The benefits of art therapy have been seen in people of all ages, helping to improve communication and concentration, as well as reduce feelings of isolation. Art therapy has also been shown to lead to increased self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness. Art therapy is unique in that it allows individuals to express their feelings and emotions without ever having to say a word. This can be helpful in treating individuals who feel out of touch with their emotions, or those who went through a traumatic or painful event and are having trouble talking about their experiences.

Through my experience as an Art Therapist, I’ve found that painting is one of the best forms of Art Therapy because it is typically experienced from a sensory level. As an individual paints, they focus on the fluidity of the paint and motion of the brush or their fingers. Depending on the strengths and needs of the individual, this motion and feel can illicit soothing or meditative responses. Focusing on the movement and touch of the paint can help individuals release negative energy and tension, relax their muscles, and help channel awareness of internal emotions.​

Painting can also support an individual in developing coping skills and learning how to self-sooth. Sensory experiences, like the touch, feel and fluidity of paint allows the individual to discover, validate and express their inner sensations. It can also help to increase tolerance for internal and external sensations. An art therapy session can be structured either individually or in a group setting. Both types of sessions support individuals in exploring their emotions, fostering self-awareness, managing behaviors, developing social skills, reducing anxiety, increasing self-esteem, and improving reality orientation, along with a variety of other responses. The process of art therapy allows individuals to create a space for self-expression, self-exploration, and enhance their capacity for emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

Source: https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/art-therapy