Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that integrates art-making into the therapeutic process, allowing clients to move past the limits of language in their work. While our vocabularies contain only so many words, creative expression has no bounds. Using creative expression in a therapeutic setting can facilitate deeper exploration, bring to light what we may not have the words or ability to verbally express, and provide a safe way to explore what may feel too overwhelming to say aloud, even when we do have the words and the ability.

A common misconception is that art therapy is for “people who are good at art,” when, in reality, the benefits of art therapy can be just as great for someone who has never so much as seen a pencil, as for someone whose work is found in museums. This is because the value of art therapy lies not in the finished product, but in the creative process.

Art therapists receive specialized education and training, and are authorized to practice in their field according to specifications and regulations set forth by governing and overseeing bodies on state and national levels. Their rigorous training includes both talk-therapy techniques and the practice of utilizing, guiding, and supporting clients through the creative process in service of self-expression, self-exploration, personal growth, and wellbeing.

Learn more about our in-house art therapist, Louisa Gleichman.