Art Therapy Definition, Types, and Techniques.
                     Art Therapy: 
Definition, 
Types, and 
Techniques
What Is Art Therapy?
The use of artistic methods to treat 
psychological disorders and 
enhance mental health is known as 
art therapy. 
Art therapy is a technique rooted in 
the idea that creative expression 
can foster healing and mental well-
being.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
HISTORY AND 
DEVELOPMENT OF ART 
THERAPY
Art has been used as a means 
of communication, self-
expression, group interaction, 
diagnosis, and conflict 
resolution throughout history. 
The establishment of art 
therapy as a unique and 
publicly accepted therapeutic 
approach only took place 
recently, in the mid-20th 
century. 
Source: www.goodtherapy.org
Types of Creative 
Therapies
Art therapy is not the only 
type of creative arts used in 
the treatment of mental 
illness today. Other types of 
creative therapies include:
 Dance therapy
 Drama therapy
 Expressive therapy
 Music therapy
 Writing therapy
Source: www.verywellmind.com
Techniques
Techniques used in art therapy can 
include:
 Collage
 Coloring
 Doodling and Scribbling
 Drawing
 Finger painting
 Making collages
 Painting
 Photography
 Sculpting
 Working with clay
Source: www.verywellmind.com
What Art Therapy 
Can Help With?
People who have experienced 
emotional trauma, physical 
violence, domestic abuse, anxiety, 
depression, and other psychological 
issues can benefit from expressing 
themselves creatively.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
Situations in which art 
therapy might be utilized
 Adults experiencing severe stress
 Children suffering from behavioral 
or social problems at school or at 
home
 Children or adults who have 
experienced a traumatic event
 Children with learning disabilities
 Individuals suffering from a brain 
injury
 People experiencing mental 
health problems
Source: www.verywellmind.com
Benefits of Art 
Therapy
Art therapy can be used to 
treat a wide range of mental 
disorders and psychological 
distress. 
In many cases, it might be 
used in conjunction with other 
psychotherapy techniques such 
as group therapy or cognitive-
behavioral therapy.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
LIMITATIONS AND CONCERNS 
OF ART THERAPY
One of the major concerns of art 
therapy is the effectiveness of the 
approach. Though many support its 
efficacy, others are skeptical. Adults 
may not be inclined to cooperate 
fully and openly with the treatment 
process or may refuse this type of 
treatment entirely.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
TYPES OF ART THERAPY 
Painting
Painting can involve a free form 
approach of creating images from a 
blank canvas or it can involve using 
tools to help construct and 
manipulate images. Painting in art 
therapy involves acrylic paints, 
watercolors, spray painting and 
more.
Source: www. 
arttherapyresources.com
Sculpture
The benefit of sculpture is that it 
provides a dimensional view for the 
client. This can show the client that 
situations are multi-dimensional and 
can be approached from different 
points of view.
Source: www.arttherapyresources.com
Collage
Collage is a more passive approach 
to creating compared to drawing or 
painting because it is based on 
manipulating already constructed 
and designed items such as 
magazine images and word titles. It 
is an easier task for clients who are 
having difficulty starting tasks and 
making decisions.
Source: www.arttherapyresources.com
Writing
Writing is not always viewed as a visual 
creative outlet; however, writing can 
be used in art journaling, story-
boarding and comics. 
Writing in art therapy can involve the 
client writing in a journal and then 
creating art on top of the journal as a 
way of letting go of the content in the 
writing. 
Writing supplies include pen and paper, 
however, general art supplies can also 
be used based on how the client 
incorporates writing into their project.
Source: www.arttherapyresources.com