What is Art Psychotherapy?
When I tell people I’m an art psychotherapist, they often ask, what is art therapy and how does it work? Art therapy combines visual expression with psychotherapy to help people explore thoughts, feelings and experiences with the guidance of a psychotherapist. Creative expression has psychological and physiological benefits, and reflecting on art promotes problem-solving, insight, symptom management and fresh perspectives. Its action-oriented nature is energizing and motivating. Like talk psychotherapists, art psychotherapists are knowledgeable about a range of traditional modalities which are incorporated into the creativity. These include CBT, DBT, ACT, Narrative Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, and Trauma Focussed Therapy.
Art-making activates different parts of your brain that process sensory experiences, memory, motor skills and emotions. The integrated nature of art psychotherapy can help you get beneath the surface of logic and intellectualizing for deeper processing because your brain and body are fully engaged
Who Can do Art Psychotherapy?
Art therapy can benefit people of all ages and mental health needs and you don’t need artistic skill or training. The therapist tailors the therapy to meet your needs, with consideration for age, ability/disability, identity and cultural background, clinical diagnosis and goals. People with many different issues can find art psychotherapy helpful. For instance, eating disorders, grief, ADHD, ASD, Sensory Processing Disorder, chronic illness, addiction recovery, anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, special needs Individuals, challenges related to gender identity and any other mental health or life struggle.
Benefits of Art Psychotherapy
Art psychotherapy is a way to access subconscious thoughts and feelings and to cope with difficult feelings or situations. Your imagery draws from sensory and emotional experiences. Art psychotherapists don’t ‘read’ your art but through discussion help you think about your own art. We pay attention to the choices you make – imagery, colors, placement, use of materials – and ask questions about your intention and the meaning. This can bring up thoughts, feelings and associations that you weren’t necessarily focused on as you created the art. Art Psychotherapy can also help teach new creative techniques that a person can use in difficult times to cope in the moment and with what is happening in life.
How My Background Influences My Art Psychotherapy
I am a past primary school teacher, developmental service worker, personal support worker, medical foster care family, life guard and world traveller. I have lived in many countries and experienced many belief systems and ways of living. This has allowed me to be open to everyone’s challenges and to be supportive in a non-judgemental way that supports everyone no matter what their needs are in a path to better wellness.
Please come see me at the Studio at our Trenton location to inquire about how art psychotherapy can help you on your journey to wellness!
About the author
Lee Kellogg
RP(Qualifying), DTATI (Cand), OCT, PGCE, BA
Lee is a Qualifying Art Psychotherapist with six years of experience practicing art psychotherapy and will be graduating in the new year. Throughout her career, Lee has worn many hats—including personal support worker, developmental service worker, child and youth worker, and medical foster parent—giving her extensive experience supporting individuals with special needs as young as four years old. Lee emphasizes that no artistic experience is required to benefit from art psychotherapy—only an open mind and a willingness to engage creatively. Because she is client-centred, sessions may involve traditional talk therapy, art psychotherapy, sand tray therapy, or a combination of these approaches, depending on each client’s needs and preferences.
Her bright, inviting studio provides a safe space for self-expression, discovery, and healing—encouraging every person to explore their growth through creativity.