In my practice, I often come across people who associate Art Based Therapy or Expressive Art Therapy with creating art or art form like painting, crafts, resin art etc. Which are also form of art experiences that give you happiness and joy, yet are very different from Art Based Therapy or Expressive Art Therapy.
This blog will help you know the difference.
Art as therapy
Art is anything that you create that makes you feel good. It is often associated with creativity, technique, and visual appeal. Whether it’s painting, sculpture, music, or dance, artistic expression allows individuals to communicate thoughts and emotions in a way that words sometimes cannot. It can be:
- A self-driven creative pursuit.
- Focused on aesthetics, mastery, and technique.
- Intended for an audience’s appreciation and interpretation.
- A form of cultural or social commentary.
Art Based Therapy / Expressive Art Therapy
Art Based Therapy is a blend of expressing through arts and therapeutic goals and outcomes. Expressive Art Therapy as the name suggests is a way that you can express using any medium of art for example drawing, painting, movement, rhythm, music, drama, games, writing, using clay etc. to help you achieve your therapeutic goals. It can offer you change from speaking in the sessions or better help you express yourselves via these medium of expressions that also help you reflect in yourself. Art Based Therapy is a structured, evidence-based therapeutic practice that integrates psychology and creative expression. It is facilitated by a trained therapist who uses various art modalities to help individuals explore emotions, process trauma, and enhance mental well-being. Art Therapy is:
- A guided process that fosters self-awareness and healing.
- Less about artistic skill and more about emotional exploration.
- Designed to facilitate communication, especially when words fall short.
- A safe space for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, or personal struggles.
Art Therapy Matters
Art Therapy provides a non-verbal outlet for self-expression, making it particularly effective for individuals who struggle to articulate their emotions. Research in positive psychology supports the use of creative activities in improving emotional resilience, self-esteem, and cognitive function.
As a UNESCO CID Certified Art-Based Therapy Practitioner, I have witnessed the profound transformation that occurs when individuals engage in creative self-exploration. Whether it’s through intuitive painting, guided journaling, or movement-based expression, Art Therapy offers a bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, fostering healing in a unique and powerful way.
The activities that expressive art therapists plan may not necessarily have names that everyone would expect, yet they are powerful to give you the outcome you want just like training programs. Art Therapy is such a evidence based therapeutic practice that can blend with any goal or outcome an individual or corporate would want to achieve. The going back to childhood feeling that people get using the colours, movement, music and reflections are also some advantages of Art Based Therapy.
The Science Behind Art Therapy
Research in psychology and neuroscience has shown that engaging in creative expression can have profound effects on the brain and emotional well-being. Studies indicate that Art Therapy can:
- Reduce cortisol levels, thereby lowering stress and anxiety.
- Activate the brain’s reward system, enhancing mood and motivation.
- Improve neuroplasticity, aiding emotional regulation and resilience.
Incorporating creativity into therapy provides an alternative to verbal communication, making it especially beneficial for trauma survivors, children, and individuals who struggle to express themselves through words alone.
Do You Need to Know Art or Be An Artist?
While the traditional Art as therapy would aim to help you perfect your strokes so that you know art or become an artist, there is no such agenda behind Art Based Therapy. Art Based Therapy or Expressive Art Therapy helps you to express yourself the way you want to express without focusing on what and how you have created or what techniques are you using to create something.
Art Therapy is for everyone—regardless of artistic ability. The goal isn’t to create a perfect piece of art but to engage in a process that unlocks emotions, insights, and healing.
If you’ve ever found solace in doodling, journaling, or simply listening to music during tough times, you’ve already experienced a glimpse of the therapeutic power of creative expression. Now imagine taking it further with a structured approach designed to guide you toward self-discovery and emotional well-being.
