Many have already had a glimpse into the vast world of art therapy with the new trend of adult colouring books and colour therapy, but when art therapy is conducted by a trained therapist it can achieve much more than solely relaxation and stress relief in the moment. In fact, art therapy is not limited to those who consider themselves to be creatively inclined, nor is it only for a particular age group.

Promotes Self-Exploration and Self-Expression
Many adults lean toward verbal therapy, but there are also many who might feel as though they cannot talk about their feelings. “By identifying their emotions on a creative level, people are enabled to understand how their emotions are affecting their current problems,” says Reyhane Namdari, an Art Therapist in Pointe-Claire.

Children might have limited language and communication skills, while adolescents may be less willing to talk about their feelings. When drawing, painting, molding clay, experimenting with photography, music, or even filmmaking with the guidance of an art therapist, they may more easily open up and uncover their emotions. This can lead to confronting the negative feelings that have been affecting their social lives or mental health without having to verbalize everything immediately.

Working through Difficult Life Events and Improving Social Skills
Art therapy can be a catalyst for healing during or after difficult life events or traumatic experiences, whether they are current or from childhood; for example, dealing with addiction, divorce, loss, depression, anorexia, or abuse.

Parents might seek the help of an art therapist if their child is having problems with excessive anxiety, school refusal, their parents’ divorce, eating disorders, aggression, the symptoms of ADHD, or major life changes such as moving to a new city. “Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy based art therapy, we can focus, for example, on a child’s maladaptive behaviors or emotions using art or play therapy to tackle these behaviors and replace them with more socially accepted ones,” says Namdari.

Identifying Particular Mental Illnesses or Traumatic Events
In the 19th century, French psychiatrists found that there were common characteristics across the artwork of their patients. By observing their artwork, the psychiatrists discovered that they could often identify specific mental illnesses and victims of sexual abuse.

Relaxation and Stress Relief
Art in general can be cathartic and it is safe to say that it can help achieve a state of calmness and peace. Many use art as a time for reflection and gaining clarity over their thoughts; however when we are referring to art therapy, there is so much more to consider. “A colouring book allows you to be mindful and it relaxes you, but the underlying problem is not being discussed or identified. Some people are not aware of their problems and might need help making sense of their underlying emotions,” explains Namdari.

Art therapy might benefit you even if you think of yourself as art illiterate―it is the process of the art making that is therapeutic, not the end result.