Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy. It uses art and other artistic mediums to help people explore and express their thoughts and emotions in a unique way. With this kind of therapy, the idea is to use art as a way of communicating. Techniques such as Neurographic Art, help clients to develop mindfulness and focus.  Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being.

People have been relying on the arts to communicate, express themselves, and heal for thousands of years. Today, doctors have noted that individuals suffering from mental illness often expressed themselves in drawings and other artworks, which led many to explore the use of art as a healing strategy. Since then, art has become an important part of the therapeutic field and is used in some assessment and treatment techniques.

Art, either creating it or viewing others’ art, is used to help people explore emotions, develop self-awareness, cope with stress, boost self-esteem, and work on social skills.

Some Art therapy techniques:

• Collage
• Coloring
• Doodling and Scribbling
• Drawing
• Finger painting
• Painting
• Photography
• Working with clay

As clients create art, they may analyze what they have made and how it makes them feel. Through exploring their art, people can look for themes and conflicts that may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Art therapy is extensively used in helping clients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, ADHD and ASD.

Some situations where Art Therapy might be beneficial:

1. Adults experiencing severe stress
2. Children suffering from behavioral or social problems at school or at home
3. Children or adults who have experienced a traumatic event
4. Children with learning disabilities
5. Individuals suffering from a brain injury
6. People experiencing mental health problems