Art Therapy vs. Art in Therapy: What You Need to Know
There is a big difference between art therapy and art in therapy. Some people might also refer to the latter as “art as therapy.” It may seem trivial, but adding one word to the phrase “art therapy” changes the meaning entirely. In order to educate and explain the differences, I’m here to break down some common misconceptions and hopefully provide clarification about the mental health field of art therapy.
In my personal and professional opinion, art therapy is beneficial for treating a wide variety of mental health concerns, but only if offered by a clinician specially trained in art therapy. I am a trained art therapist registered with the American Art Therapy Association, and I provide art therapy as my primary therapeutic service at Hearts for Hope Therapy in Greenville, South Carolina.
Maybe you’ve stumbled on this blog post out of curiosity, because you’ve already tried various ‘traditional’ forms of psychotherapy but are looking for something new. Maybe you have heard about art therapy, but don’t really know what it is. Regardless, this article will leave you with a more accurate depiction of what art therapy actually is, and why it’s important that you work with a trained art therapist in order to truly benefit from this specialized treatment modality.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy combines the creative process of making art with psychological theory and a therapeutic relationship. One of the most important aspects of art therapy, as with traditional psychotherapy, is the relationship between the client and the therapist.
According to the American Art Therapy Association: “Art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns.” [1]
There needs to be a therapeutic relationship specifically between the client and a trained art therapist in order for it to be true art therapy. Many traditional therapists incorporate art in therapy because making art is inherently therapeutic.
However, if these therapists are not appropriately trained in art therapy, they lack the proper tools to support the client through the process of using art as a primary aspect of the therapeutic process. They don’t have the specialized knowledge or skills to recognize symbolism or engage in processing discussions of the artwork with the client after the art has been made.
It is common for clients to experience catharsis or have intense emotions brought to the surface during the art-making process in an art therapy session. An art therapist has been formally trained to know how to safely support the client through this process, whereas a traditional therapist has not.
Another distinction worth mentioning is how art therapy differs from an art class, which focuses on technique, talent and aesthetics. Instead, art therapy is about the process of making art and is accessible to all levels of ability. [2] Art therapy provides clients with creative tools in which they make new discoveries about themselves and work through past traumas, emotions and memories. All of this is done with an art therapist.
Art therapist Linda Turner says, “there are many different approaches to art therapy and there is really no right or wrong approach. While some may use paint and guided meditation, others may use collages to put together meaningful words and images on a singular page. Art therapy is simply a way to tap into the mind with a more indirect, creative approach.” [3]
I agree that there are many ways to use art therapy and there is no one right way, nor is there a ‘one size fits all’ approach. However, I want to make it clear that there is a wrong way to use art in therapy if you are not trained, and it can even be dangerous.
I’ve heard nerve-wracking stories of therapists using art in therapy with their clients. While I am sure these therapists had good intentions, the clients were left unintentionally re-traumatized by the intensity of uncomfortable emotions that arose from the art activity prompt. The art exposed traumatic memories and the therapist was not equipped with how to safely guide and support the client through that experience.
What is the Difference Between Art Therapy and Art in Therapy?
According to Art Therapy Resources in Australia, “...as the art activity is made in session with a therapist, you are able to be guided on how to process these unexpected emotions and insights. An art therapist can help facilitate the process of identifying and processing difficult emotions that arise from an art making activity. An art therapist can also provide art directives that can help explore difficulties we are experiencing.” [4]
I use a combination of directive and non-directive prompts when practicing art therapy at Hearts for Hope Therapy. Directives are specific prompts that drive the art therapy session and intentionally support the client’s individualized treatment goals. Some directive interventions are things like creating a mandala. A mandala is a Sanskrit word for “sacred circle.” I often combine mandala directives with guided meditation, breathing exercises, and mindful movement. This is a powerful tool that promotes calmness, clarity, and insightful reflection for my clients in both mind and body.
Other examples of art directives I commonly use are geared towards treatment of specific issues and are supported by research. They intentionally draw out powerful metaphors that produce profound insight. If someone is feeling lost, stuck, or is moving through a big change or life transition, I might use a ‘bridge drawing’ art directive.
Similarly, I like to use the directive of a ‘road drawing,’ which is especially helpful for people I work with that have substance use disorders. It helps my clients feel confident in recognizing motivations, potential ‘roadblocks,’ and how to take actionable steps forward in their recovery process. According to art therapist Michael Hanes, “road drawings appear to help clients gain insight into a path of recovery and provide a metaphor for their capacity for change.” [5]
When a non-art therapist uses art in therapy, they might have the client color, draw, or paint. Sometimes therapists misuse these activities and attempt to decipher the meaning behind the art that the client made, which is often disrespectful to the client.
Other times, they may use an art therapy directive that they learned about in a textbook or an online resource. I would never suggest that a mental health clinician who isn’t a trained art therapist use art therapy directives that they read about. They don’t have the tools or appropriate experience to properly process the imagery and might misinterpret or misguide the client.
Making art is calming and cathartic. This is one of the reasons why I don’t always offer a directive. Free-form painting empowers my clients to express however they’re feeling at that moment. Intuitive process painting is a great way to uncover emotions and thoughts, and allow us to recognize and develop a new relationship with our own inner critic.
If you were my client in a non-directive art therapy session, I still facilitate the art-making interventions, but you decide the direction of the art, and together we discuss whatever comes up. It’s always important for me to provide multiple options of art materials, so you have the choice to experiment with new forms of creative expression.
Different art materials allow for different therapeutic experiences and have specific benefits for working through various mental health concerns. Art therapists are well-trained in using different art mediums as intentional tools in art therapy through the Expressive Therapies Continuum.
Most non-art therapists who use art in therapy are well-intentioned. They know that making art is therapeutic. I often see therapists offer coloring or a craft activity in a therapy session to help clients relax, which I think is wonderful! However, this is not art therapy. Claiming it as such adds to the insurmountable misconceptions about art therapy, and is quite honestly a little demeaning to the profession of art therapy.
One more thing that is worth pointing out is that adult coloring books or coloring pre-drawn mandalas do not adequately count as art therapy. Your coloring book can certainly help you relax or work through anxiety, but your coloring book is not your therapist.
Sometimes non-art therapists use these in their sessions, which is perfectly wonderful and likely brings a lot of joy and creativity into the therapy room! However, there is a big difference between coloring a mandala and creating one with your art therapist. I am not by any means throwing shade on coloring books; I use them regularly in my own free time and they certainly do have benefits. But, let’s agree to stop calling them art therapy workbooks, okay?
What Are the Benefits of Art Therapy?
There are so many wonderful benefits to art therapy! According to the American Art Therapy Association, “Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.” [1]
Beyond cognitive and emotional benefits, art therapy research shows that there are physical benefits, too. These include reduced physical pain and reduced stress. [6] We know that stress is held in the body and there are many physical stress responses, so we’ll consider reduced stress as a physical and psychological benefit.
Practicing Art Therapy at Hearts for Hope Therapy
Art therapy should only be practiced by therapists who are appropriately trained in art therapy. Art teachers are not art therapists. Non-art therapists who use art in therapy are not able to properly or ethically offer art therapy services.
If you’re a mental health professional reading this and you’re working with clients who enjoy creativity or have challenges with verbal expression, please consider referring them out to a registered art therapist. Art therapists undergo years of specialized training at a Master’s level and are uniquely equipped to treat a variety of mental, emotional, or even physiological concerns.
If you’d like to learn more about how art therapy can specifically help you, reach out to me for a free consultation at Hearts for Hope Therapy in Greenville, SC. I look forward to connecting with you through the power of art!
References
[2]https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/5348/the-benefits-of-art-therapy.aspx
[3]https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/multimediareporting2016/?p=539
[4]https://arttherapyresources.com.au/art-as-therapy/
[5]https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07421656.2017.1394124
[6]https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_benefits_art_therapy_can_have_on_mental_and_physical_health
