What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative processes—like drawing, painting, sculpting, or other artistic expression—as a way to help people explore emotions, develop self-awareness, cope with stress, boost self-esteem, and improve mental well-being. Unlike a typical art class, art therapy is guided by a trained therapist and focuses more on the process of making art rather than the final product. You don’t need to have any artistic skills; it’s more about expression than technique.
Art therapy can be helpful for people dealing with
- Anxiety, depression, or trauma
- Grief or loss
- Chronic illness or pain
- Behavioral issues (especially in children)
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism, ADHD)
Do I have to have an art background to participate?
You don’t need to be “good” at art to benefit from art therapy — you just need to be open to expressing yourself in a new way. Whether it’s painting, drawing, collage, or clay — it’s not about creating something pretty; it’s about creating something real.
If you’re feeling drawn to explore art therapy, trust that instinct. It might just become the space where healing begins in a way you didn’t expect.
What does treatment look like?
Treatment is typically structured yet flexible, allowing you to receive consistent therapeutic support while continuing your daily life (work, school, etc.). Here’s what it generally looks like:
- Intake and assessment: Your journey begins with a warm, supportive intake session where we get to know you, your history, your challenges, and your goals.
- Personalized Treatment Planning: Based on your unique needs—whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, ADHD, or a dual diagnosis—we develop a customized treatment plan that may include
- Skill-building (e.g., mindfulness, coping strategies, emotion regulation)
- Traditional talk therapy (individual counseling)
- Art therapy sessions
- Sessions: The Frequency of sessions is usually determined during the personalized treatment planning process. Clients usually opt for weekly to biweekly sessions. Sessions are 60 minutes long and may include:
- Art-making: Drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, or other creative exercises
- Verbal processing: Reflecting on the artwork and discussing underlying thoughts, emotions, and patterns
- Therapeutic tools: CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care (as appropriate)
- Goal-oriented Progress: We work collaboratively to track your progress and adjust your plan as needed. Over time, you can expect to:
- Improve self-awareness and emotional expression
- Build healthier coping strategies
- Address core issues such as trauma, identity, or relationship patterns
- Strengthen recovery and relapse-prevention (for addiction)
- Continued Support: Outpatient therapy allows you to integrate growth into your everyday life. We can also help coordinate care with psychiatrists, schools, or family members when appropriate.
Art & Balance Counseling LLC 