Life can throw curveballs, can’t it? Sometimes they’re soft lobs, other times they strike straight to the heart. When we experience trauma, grief, anxiety, or simply feel overwhelmed by emotions, it can be incredibly isolating. It’s as if a part of us shuts down, making it hard to find the words to express the turmoil within. Yet, there is a profound and gentle path to healing that doesn’t always rely on words: art therapy.
(Malchiodi, 2012; American Art Therapy Association, n.d.)
As an art therapist, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of creative expression. It’s not about being a “good artist” or creating a masterpiece – it’s about the process itself. The act of putting feelings onto paper, moulding them with clay, or finding rhythm in movement can gently guide you back to yourself, one brushstroke at a time.
(Rubin, 2016)
Why Art? When Words Fail, Art Speaks
Often, words are not enough. How do you describe the knot in your stomach, the heaviness in your chest, or the racing thoughts in your mind? For many people, especially those experiencing trauma, verbal communication can feel impossible or even re-traumatising. This is where art therapy shines. It offers a safe, non-verbal outlet to explore and process difficult experiences.
(Malchiodi, 2012)
You might, for example, represent your anxiety as a tangled ball of yarn or your grief as an endless ocean. By externalising these inner states, they become visible – something you can reflect on, understand, and eventually reshape.
(American Art Therapy Association, n.d.)
The Gentle Touch of Healing: Benefits You Might Not Expect
The beauty of art therapy lies in its holistic support for mental health and wellbeing:
Emotional release and regulation – Art-making provides a safe outlet for emotions while also supporting self-soothing and regulation. The rhythm of drawing, the feel of paint, or simply focusing on a creative task can restore calm.
(Rubin, 2016)
Accessing unconscious material – Creative processes can surface feelings, memories, or insights that words may miss. It’s similar to dreaming while awake, allowing symbols and metaphors to emerge.
(Malchiodi, 2012)
Building self-awareness and insight – Patterns and recurring themes in creative work help foster reflection and can spark meaningful “aha” moments.
(Rubin, 2016)
Reducing stress and anxiety – Research shows that creative engagement promotes mindfulness, reduces cortisol, and encourages relaxation.
(American Art Therapy Association, n.d.)
Developing coping skills – From problem-solving during the creative process to the satisfaction of completing a piece, art therapy builds resilience and equips people with tools for future challenges.
(Malchiodi, 2012)
Restoring a sense of control – Trauma can leave us feeling powerless. Making choices during the creative process – colours, textures, shapes – restores agency and strengthens self-determination.
(Rubin, 2016)
A Warm Embrace, Not a Performance
There is no “wrong way” to do art therapy. Artistic skill is not required – only curiosity and openness. Sessions provide a supportive, non-judgemental space where creations reflect inner experiences rather than performance.
(American Art Therapy Association, n.d.)
If you are navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm, art therapy offers a gentle invitation. It is not a quick fix, but a compassionate companion on the healing path, helping you rediscover resilience and your voice, even when words feel out of reach.
(Malchiodi, 2012; Rubin, 2016)
References
- Malchiodi, C. A. (2012). Art therapy and health care. Guilford Press.
- Rubin, J. A. (2016). Art therapy: An introduction. Routledge.
- American Art Therapy Association. (n.d.). What is Art Therapy? Retrieved from https://arttherapy.org/art-therapy-faqs/