No artistic experience is necessary—only a willingness to explore, create, and grow.
The Healing Power of Art Therapy
Sometimes words aren’t enough. Art therapy provides another way to express thoughts, emotions, and experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
Art therapy is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that combines the creative process with clinical mental health treatment. Guided by a trained art therapist, clients use art-making as a tool to explore emotions, process life experiences, reduce stress, and develop healthier ways of coping. No artistic ability or previous experience is required—the focus is on self-expression and healing, not creating a masterpiece.
Art therapy can benefit individuals of all ages who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, chronic illness, life transitions, relationship concerns, or emotional stress. It also offers an opportunity for greater self-awareness, personal growth, and resilience.
In a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment, clients create artwork and reflect on the meaning behind their creative process with their therapist. This combination of creativity and psychotherapy can lead to deeper insight, emotional healing, and lasting positive change.
What Happens During Art Therapy?
During an art therapy session, you’ll work with a trained therapist using a variety of creative materials such as drawing, painting, collage, clay, or mixed media. The artwork itself isn’t judged or evaluated. Instead, the creative process becomes a way to explore thoughts, emotions, memories, and experiences in a supportive therapeutic environment.
Some sessions may focus primarily on creating art, while others combine creative activities with traditional conversation. Every session is tailored to your comfort level, goals, and individual needs.
Art therapy may benefit individuals experiencing:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma & PTSD
- Grief & loss
- Chronic illness
- ADHD
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Behavioral challenges
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Stress & burnout
- Life transitions
- Relationship concerns
- Addiction recovery
- Low self-esteem
How Art Therapy Helps
Art therapy uses the creative process as a powerful tool for healing, self-expression, and personal growth. Through creating and reflecting on artwork with a trained art therapist, clients can better understand their emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and gain new perspectives on life’s challenges.
Art therapy can benefit children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Depending on your individual goals, it may help you:
- Express thoughts and emotions that are difficult to put into words
- Process trauma, grief, and other difficult life experiences
- Reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm
- Improve self-awareness and emotional insight
- Build healthy coping skills and emotional resilience
- Increase self-esteem and self-confidence
- Strengthen communication and interpersonal relationships
- Improve focus, problem-solving, and emotional regulation
- Manage challenging behaviors and impulses
- Foster creativity, personal growth, and overall well-being
Whether you are working through a specific mental health concern or simply looking for a new way to understand yourself, art therapy offers a safe, supportive space to explore, heal, and grow.
A Flexible, Personalized Approach
Every person’s healing journey is unique. Art therapy can be tailored to meet the individual needs of children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Sessions may include drawing, painting, collage, clay, or other creative activities combined with evidence-based psychotherapy.
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, chronic illness, relationship concerns, or major life transitions, art therapy offers a creative and supportive path toward healing, resilience, and personal growth.
Meet our Art Therapist
Laurie Moyer, LMHC, LCAC, ATR
Laurie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor, & Registered Art Therapist with more than 20 years of experience helping children, adolescents, adults, and families achieve lasting emotional wellness through compassionate, individualized care.
Laurie tailors each treatment plan to the unique needs of the individual, drawing from a variety of therapeutic approaches. She offers both traditional talk therapy and art therapy, recognizing that sometimes creative expression can communicate emotions and experiences that words alone cannot.
Whether clients are processing trauma, navigating life transitions, managing anxiety or depression, or seeking greater self-understanding, Laurie provides a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where healing can take place through both conversation and creativity.
View more information on our Art Therapist, Laurie Moyer
FAQ’s from the website of Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc.
Who uses art therapy?
According to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA):
“Art therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, forensic, wellness, private practice and community settings with diverse client populations in individual, couples, family and group therapy formats. Art therapy is an effective treatment for people experiencing developmental, medical, educational and social or psychological impairment.”
You may find art therapists working with clients in nursing homes or schools, medical practices or corporations, community organizations or with specialized groups or populations.
What does art therapy address or treat?
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) reports:
“Individuals who benefit from art therapy include those who have survived trauma resulting from combat, abuse and natural disaster; persons with adverse physical health conditions such as cancer, traumatic brain injury, and other health disability; and persons with autism, dementia, depression and other disorders. Art therapy helps people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage problematic behaviors, reduce negative stress and achieve personal insight. Art therapy also provides an opportunity to enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of art making.”
How long has art therapy been around?
Art therapy as a deliberate focus and practice began in the 1940s. The British Association of Art Therapists was founded in 1964. The American Association of Art Therapists was founded in 1969.
In 1993, the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) was founded to protect the public by promoting the competent and ethical practice of art therapy. It manages the credentialing and testing processes of art therapists (in alignment with the AATA) to ensure the professional and high-caliber practice of the profession.
What is involved in art therapy?
Art therapists rely on their knowledge of the research and practice of therapy as well as specific techniques shown to be useful in specific situations. Often the process involves looking at what is included or represented in a client’s artwork – but also what is missing.
Art therapy is not an art class, although the process can involve learning art techniques and enjoying the creative process. The art therapy process is generally focused on the client’s inner world and ways to identify and express their experience or perspective.
What should I look for in an art therapist?
Look for an art therapist who knows and/or experience similar to your needs or those you are hoping to help (age, gender, nationality, circumstance, setting, etc.). Also consider the issues: trauma, disability, illness, behavioral or relationship challenges, and so forth. Ask questions of your potential art therapist to understand their experience, expertise, and interest.
Also ask questions about their qualifications. If you look for the ATR or ATR-BC credential, you can be assured your art therapist has a high caliber of education, training, and experience. Registered Art Therapists (ATRs) have demonstrated a rigorous level of education and training. Board Certified Art Therapists (ATR-BCs) have the added credential if they pass a comprehensive national exam.
Source: https://www.atcb.org/
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re seeking therapy, medication management, or psychological testing, our team is here to help.