Addressing Frequently Asked Questions about Art Therapy
I was recently asked by a individual : "What’s your favorite art therapy activity to do with your clients?"
This vibrant woman had been diving into art therapy and was learning about various activities (sometimes called “interventions” in the clinical world). She mentioned activities like drawing a body map to explore areas of tension, using a tree as a metaphor for personal growth, coloring in a mandala, or trying a classic bridge drawing exercise.
Her question made me pause. What is my favorite activity? I’ve done these exercises countless times with clients, and while each is powerful in its own right, I realized something important—it's not just the activity itself that makes the difference. It's the deeper process of guiding people to reconnect with their creativity.
Art Therapy: More Than Just an Activity
Lately, I’ve noticed a surge in art therapy workbooks and posts on social media offering step-by-step guides to different art therapy activities. These resources can be helpful, and they certainly serve a purpose, especially for those looking for structured activities to use in therapy or self-care. However, as I reflect on my own work, it became clear: Art therapy isn’t just about the activity—it’s about the process of reconnecting with our innate creativity.
In the past, I leaned on structured activities to facilitate healing. They helped me guide individuals through the therapeutic process, especially in group settings where the dynamics and needs could change from day to day—or even hour to hour. And, of course, having these activities in my toolbox was also helpful when it came to explaining the value of our work to insurance companies.
But over time, I came to realize something even more profound. The real work I’m doing in therapy is creating the space for people to access their own imagery, their own ideas, their own creations. When clients reconnect with their natural creative flow, that’s where the magic happens. That’s where healing starts.
The Dance of Creativity
Imagine a car that won’t start because the battery is dead. You pull your car up next to it, connect the jumper cables, and let your car’s battery recharge theirs. Eventually, the other car starts up and is able to drive off on its own.
That’s what I do in art therapy—I help "jump-start" my clients’ creativity, so they can reconnect with their own inner resources and heal from the inside out.
When we tap into our creativity, our mind and body know how to heal themselves. It’s a beautiful, natural process.
Art Therapy’s Clinical Foundations: More Than Meets the Eye
Art therapy is a deeply technical and clinically rigorous field. It’s not just about making art—it’s about applying artistic techniques in ways that help individuals process trauma, gain insight, and develop new coping strategies.
As art therapists, we draw on a wealth of knowledge in areas like brain-body connection, memory processing, self-exploration, critical thinking, and more. We also use art techniques for containment, release, perspective-taking, and emotional regulation. It’s a delicate balance of both soft and hard skills, and it requires being fully present with the client in the moment—almost like a dance between therapist and client.
The Bigger Picture of Art
In the broader art world, I've noticed a tendency to focus narrowly on the technical aspects of art—composition, medium techniques, and critique. While these are all important, they often leave out the deeper, more personal connection we have with art.
I’ve seen many individuals—and even young children—come into my office already burdened by feelings of inadequacy. They’ve internalized rules about what art is supposed to look like and they struggle with shame when their work doesn't meet those standards. The truth is, art is so much more than creating something that others deem beautiful or valuable.
What I’ve learned over the years is this: When people can truly lean into their own personal language of art, they access a powerful tool for life. Its not just any tool. It’s a Swiss army knife: multi-functional. And when I say personalized, I mean it. Its as personal and unique to you as your fingerprint.
Why I Created "The Healing Power of Art"
That’s exactly why I created my mini-course, The Healing Power of Art. I want to help people rediscover the transformative potential of art and remind them that they already have what it takes to experience art in a way that’s uplifting and empowering.
If you’re ready to understand creativity more in-depth and how developing this helps you along on your journey towards wellness, then my course will illuminate this for you. You'll also gather insight on the many ways you can use your intuition to develop a healing art practice and learn tips on how to derive meaning from your own creations.
The Power of Creative Connection
In my Creativity Circle, we practice coming back to ourselves through art. This group is a beautiful space where we gather, settle into the moment—whether through connecting inward, to the space, or with one another—and then we make art. People create all sorts of things: imagined worlds, doodles, explorations of emotions, dreams, even reflections on difficult days.
What’s so special about this group is that there’s no pressure to "do it right." We simply make art that’s meaningful to us, and we support each other in exploring it. We dive deep into the feelings behind our creations, sharing and reflecting in a way that goes beyond what looks good or needs improvement. Instead, we focus on the personal meaning, the emotions, and the stories behind the art.
It’s a gentle, nurturing space where creativity is celebrated, and the process of making art is just as important as the end result. To me, this is what art therapy is about. Letting you move inward through art.
A World of Creative Possibilities
Imagine a world where we approach art with curiosity, without judgment. A world where we can look at a piece of art that we don’t understand or that makes us feel uncomfortable, and instead of dismissing it, we lean in with open curiosity, eager to explore its meaning. That’s the world I want to create—and I’d love for you to join me on this journey.
Ready to Reconnect with Your Creativity?
If you're ready to experience the healing power of art for yourself, I invite you to join my Healing Power of Art mini-course. This course will help you understand that you are wired for art, guide you towards trusting yourself and your intuition in making healing art. You'll learn tips for deriving meaning from your creations and explore the many ways we can leverage art to expand our consciousness.
Sign up now and start your creative journey today! Let's change the conversation about art together.
Or join my Creativity Circle to explore your own personal language of art—it’s more than just a hobby; it’s a pathway to healing, self-discovery, and growth.
Let’s create something beautiful.
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