Expressive Art Therapy

WHAT IS ART THERAPY?

Expressive Art Therapy utilizes the creative process to help individuals grow and heal within a therapeutic relationship. No artistic talent or skill is required to participate in art therapy. While the final product created in sessions can offer a sense of accomplishment, art therapy is often about the act of creating in a non-judgmental environment. Sessions may incorporate a combination of talking and creating to express thoughts, feelings, and actions. The creative process provides an opportunity to externalize the internal and explore psychological processes that might be tricky or uncomfortable to verbalize.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF ART THERAPY?

Like psychotherapy, participant, and art therapist work together to tailor sessions to the individual's goals for treatment. Art therapists can act as primary therapists or supplement other therapy services in your healing journey. The expressive nature of art therapy is well-suited to support self-discovery, insight development, and emotional release. If you have tried different types of therapy that haven’t quite clicked, art therapy can help support you in communicating your needs, frustration, hopes, and fears in a visual way.

WHAT DO I LOOK FOR IN AN ART THERAPIST?

In the state of Georgia, the field of art therapy is not protected by licensure and artists. Counselors, teachers, and other specialists may advertise "art therapy" services. While art therapists certainly do not own the creative process, art therapists are master's level clinicians who have completed intensive training to support mental health issues and trauma-informed healing with a variety of media. Visit the American Art Therapy Association's website (https://arttherapy.org/) to find out more about the art therapy profession.