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The integration of art-making into the therapeutic process allows 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.
The visual, tactile, and interactive nature of making art accesses and reflects our emotions and experiences in different ways than only speaking about them does. Regularly engaging in creative exploration with an expert art therapist offers a unique path to self-discovery and practical insight:
Your art therapy sessions at USP are designed to be safe and nonjudgmental, and to engage with your unique personality and purpose in coming to therapy.
Absolutely not! You do not need to be an artist or have any type of creative background in order to benefit from art therapy. Art therapy isn’t about producing aesthetically pleasing finished artwork, but rather the intrinsic value of the creative process itself. Sketching, painting, sculpting, collaging, photography, and other artistic processes bypass the restrictions of words and language to open different avenues for insight than talk therapy alone might accomplish.
Yes, art therapists are licensed and certified mental health professionals who have gained additional specialized education and substantial clinical experience in art therapy techniques. Rather than replacing talk therapy, art therapy expands on classic psychodynamic and behavioral therapy approaches by allowing the creative process to guide and enrich the greater therapeutic process.
Art therapy can be effective in a wide variety of scenarios. Here are a few:
Art therapy is also a great choice for anyone seeking a more embodied approach to counseling, whether to foster deeper self-awareness or just “get out of your head” and tackle challenges from a new angle.
All therapy at Union Square Practice is tailored to your individual needs and goals. At your first session, you and your therapist will discuss your mental health concerns, explore how art therapy might help, and decide what form that could take for you. Regular sessions will then combine guided art-making with facilitated reflection. You’ll explore avenues such as emotions or mental connections the process evoked, themes that emerged in the finished artwork, and the somatic or sensory experience of interacting with the media.
Are you interested in a creative, evidence-based alternative to classic therapy? We offer expert, client-centered art therapy in our Chelsea offices in Manhattan, with pressure-free facilitation designed to fit you. Reach out today to learn more about art therapy at Union Square Practice.
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