What is art therapy?

Art therapy is a culturally responsive, integrative mental health and human services profession that supports the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through engagement in artmaking and the creative process. Informed by psychological, relational, and social justice theories of change, art therapy is facilitated by a professional art therapist who offers unconditional acceptance and positive regard for the whole person, family and community.

In Canada, art therapists are post-graduate level clinicians who work in a wide range of settings with people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and needs. They follow the ethical standards and work within an established scope of practice, set by the Canadian Art Therapy Association Standards of Practice.

Art therapy utilizes an extensive range of integrative approaches to engage the mind, body, and spirit in ways that can bypass the limitations of using only verbal expression. Opportunities to engage in kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic processes invite alternative modes of receptive and expressive communication and facilitate holistic, embodied change. Art therapists can support individuals who are struggling with threats to their physical and mental well-being in addition to individuals who are seeking emotional, post-traumatic and spiritual growth.

Art therapy is effective in supporting personal and relational treatment goals in addition to collective and community needs. For individuals, art therapy can foster self-confidence and self-awareness, strengthen emotional resilience and social skills, promote personal insight and enhance cognitive and sensory-motor functions. Collectively, art therapy can build community resilience, create spaces for belonging and acceptance, address conflicts and distress and facilitate societal and ecological change.