Art Therapy Myths & Facts

Today, I am going to tell you about some common myths about art therapy. I will also tell you the facts. If you don't know me, Hello! I'm Rachel. I am a board-certified art therapist and licensed professional counselor. I use art therapy on a daily basis to help my clients deal with a variety of life events, and I help expats/immigrants and creatives find calm, connection, and purpose through art, journaling, and coaching. Let's get started!

Myth: I need to be an artist or have art skills to do art therapy.

Fact: You don’t have to be an artist or even “artsy” to make art. Everyone is creative! In art therapy sessions, your art therapist may encourage you to try different art media such as colored pencils, paints, clay, and collage. Sometimes non-traditional art materials (e.g. tree branches and leaves) are intentionally introduced to you in order to expand your creative expression. You may also explore different styles of expression, using doodling, abstract designs, and contour drawing. Art therapists are trained to facilitate a type of art-making for your specific needs. However, to experience the process of art therapy, it’s important to work with a trained and credentialed art therapist.

Myth: Art Therapy is the same thing as an art class.

Fact: Art therapists are trained mental health professionals. Although you may learn some techniques while doing art therapy, that is not the focus. Art therapy is for healing mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual pains. Thus, you will not be focused on creating “beautiful” works of art. You will be more focused on using the creative process for the exploration and processing of difficult life events and self-expression.

Myth: Art Therapy can only be done in person.

Fact: Many art therapists provide art therapy services online, including me! How? There are many different ways. Some therapists use digital tools with their clients during sessions. Some of us have the client do the creative work between sessions and we process it during the session. Sometimes we might even do creative activities while we are having our telehealth session.

Myth: Art Therapy is only for kids.

Fact:  Art therapists work in a variety of settings with people of all different ages, from infants to end of life. Art gives people a different way of expressing themselves. , so art therapy can be especially beneficial to those who have experienced things that are difficult to put into words.

Myth: An Art Therapist can tell all about me from the picture I create.

Fact:  Nope! We are not mind readers. Although some aspects of art tend to have common meanings in a particular culture, I cannot definitely know anything in particular about you based solely on your art. Only you know why you chose a certain color or shape, or why you chose to use a specific medium. I never assume the meaning behind an image, but ask questions about it instead. Sometimes you might not even know why you chose a certain color or shape, or why you were drawn to a particular image or symbol. The discussions we have about your artwork can help you identify and understand the thoughts, feelings, and emotions behind it and caused by it.

Myth: My adult coloring book is art therapy / the art I do on my own is art therapy.

Fact:  While doing any kind of art can help with relaxation or stress reduction, it is not art therapy unless you are doing art with a trained art therapist. Art therapists can help you understand your art and the thoughts and feeling you are dealing with. Even though doing art on your own can be helpful, having a professional to discuss it with and to provide you with feedback and (gasp!) homework assignments can deepen your understanding and speed up your processing of a difficult event.

Myth: Art Therapy is like an art class.

Fact:  In an art class you would learn how to do a specific technique or project. While you may receive some instruction on the proper use of art materials during an art therapy session, that is not the focus. The purpose of art therapy is to use the art materials and the art-making process to gain a better understanding of your personal experiences. In an art class, there may be an expectation that you do the project in a specific way. In art therapy, there is no “right” or “wrong” way. You are given the ingredients and the way you combine them is unique to you!

Myth: Any therapist who uses art in a session is an Art Therapist.

Fact: Art therapy is a mental health profession and there are specific training and experience requirements in order to become an art therapist. Some of the training art therapists receive, that other mental health professionals do not, include studio art experience, facilitating art making during sessions, identifying appropriate art materials to use with each client, safety related to different art materials, and how to use art making and art materials to help accomplish mental health goals.

Myth: Any artist can be an Art Therapist.

Fact: Similar to the previous myth, this is just not true. Artists can teach you different techniques so that you are more comfortable making art. But, artists do not receive the same training as art therapists. Art Therapists have training in both art and psychology/counseling to best help you.

Are there any questions you have about art therapy that I did not address? If so, leave me a comment - I'm happy to answer any questions.