- What is Art Therapy?
- Who delivers Art Therapy?
- How is Art Therapy different from an art class, therapeutic art, or arts in health?
- Do I need to be good at art to benefit from Art Therapy?
- What can Art Therapy help with?
- What happens in an Art Therapy session?
- Is Art Therapy confidential?
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is an established form of psychotherapy that uses art making to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences. The act of creating art can access the unconscious mind, allowing feelings and experiences to emerge in a visual form, providing insight and opportunities for emotional processing.
Rather than focusing on artistic skill, art therapy encourages individuals to create art as a way to process what lies beneath the surface. Together, the individual and the art therapist reflect on the artwork, making sense of what has surfaced and exploring its meaning. This process can help individuals express emotions and experiences that may otherwise be difficult to put into words, leading to greater self understanding.
With the guidance of a trained art therapist, this reflective process supports mental well-being, offering clarity, emotional release, and personal growth in a safe and supportive environment.
Who delivers art therapy?
Art therapy should only be delivered by a qualified Art Therapist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This ensures that the art therapist is professionally trained and participates in regular clinical supervision and CPD to provide a safe, ethical, and effective therapeutic experience with the expertise to support individuals on their mental health recovery journey.
How is art therapy different from an art class, therapeutic art, or arts in health?
Art therapy is different from an art class, therapeutic art, or arts in health initiatives in that it is a psychological therapy facilitated by a trained art therapist. The key distinction lies in the therapeutic relationship, which provides a safe, confidential space using art to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
- An Art Class focuses on teaching techniques, developing artistic skills, and creativity, often with a structured outcome in mind.
- Therapeutic Art refers to creative activities that may feel supportive and expressive but are not delivered within a formal therapeutic framework.
- Arts in Health uses the arts to enhance wellbeing in healthcare, cultural or community settings, often with a public health focus, but does not involve a one-to-one therapeutic relationship.
In art therapy, the process is not about artistic skill or the final piece but rather about what emerges in the creative process and how it relates to personal emotions, experiences, and challenges. The presence of and the relationship with an art therapist ensures that this exploration is supported within a boundaried, ethical, and psychologically informed space.
Do I need to be good at art to benefit from art therapy?
Art therapy is for everyone, regardless of artistic ability or experience. You don’t need to have any prior experience or confidence with creating art to benefit from art therapy.
What issues can holding space art therapy help with?
Art therapy can benefit individuals of all neurotypes who are navigating a diverse range of emotional and mental health challenges, including:
- Stress / Burnout
- PTSD / Trauma
- Depression / Anxiety (including Perinatal)
- Chronic Pain
- Grief / Bereavement
- Low Self-Esteem
- Life Transitions or Major Life Changes
Providing a supportive space to work through these challenges at your own pace.
What happens in an art therapy session?
Each session is 50 minutes long, during this time you’ll have access to a range of art materials to use as you feel comfortable. The session might involve creating artwork, reflecting on the creative process, or discussing the feelings and thoughts that arise during the session. You’ll be supported in a confidential and non-judgemental space to explore whatever feels important to you.
Is art therapy confidential?
Yes, all art therapy sessions are confidential. HCPC-registered Art Therapists, adhere to strict professional standards to protect your privacy. The only exceptions to confidentiality occur if there is a serious risk of harm to you or others, in which case the art therapist is required to act to ensure safety.
For further information about art therapy, please visit British Association of Art Therapists.
Holding Space | Art Therapy 