Art therapy can be defined in many different ways. Art Therapy uses the creative process in conjunction with tradition therapy to build confidence, encourage healing, increase coping skills, relieve stress and traumatic experiences, and enhance cognitive functioning. Art Therapy is used to treat a range of mental illnesses including but not limited to depression, anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress.
Registered Art Therapists (ATR) are professionals trained in both art and counseling and hold a Masters degree in art therapy. Familiar with many different art forms, Art Therapists use painting, sculpting, and drawing to help treat children, adolescents, and adults. The creative process plays a big role in identifying problem areas, discovering solutions, revealing suppressed emotions, and facilitating healing. Art therapist is less about the product, and more about the creative and healing process.