Art Therapy Courses: How They Combine Art and Psychology for Healing?

Art therapy is a relatively new paradigm that uses creative media, such as painting, drawing, crafting, or photography, to express feelings and thoughts, with support from a therapist. Art therapy is an intersection of art and psychology or education, used for mental health purposes or in healthcare settings to help improve someone’s mental state and perception.

It combines creativity with psychology, promoting self-expression and well-being.  Through art, individuals are given the opportunity to process emotions, cope with stressors, and identify themselves through self-awareness. The growing recognition of art therapy across various health care and counseling settings has led to it being recognized as a holistic approach to mental health.

In this blog, let’s explore how art and psychology are related and how art therapists combine the two to heal people.

Also read: Art Therapy Careers in the U.S: Education, Certification, and What to Expect

How Art Therapy Combines Art and Psychology in Healing?

The relationship between art and psychology is the foundation of art therapy, in which artistic expression serves as a means of healing emotionally and mentally. Art therapy encompasses the use of artistic techniques and engagement with psychological principles to help individuals express feelings, process experiences, and enhance overall well-being.

Focus Area	Meaning	How It Helps in Healing?
Foundations of Art Therapy	Combines principles of psychology with creative arts to guide therapeutic sessions.	Provides a structured approach for emotional and psychological healing through art.
Creative Expression	Engaging in drawing, painting, sculpting, or other art forms to communicate thoughts and feelings.	Helps individuals express emotions that may be difficult to verbalize, fostering self-awareness.
Psychological Frameworks	Uses theories from psychotherapy, developmental psychology, and neuroscience to interpret art.	Guides the therapist in understanding clients’ emotions, behaviors, and underlying issues.
Emotional Release	Encourages individuals to externalize stress, trauma, or anxiety through artistic creation.	Promotes emotional relief, stress reduction, and improved mental balance.
Cognitive Benefits	Activities that enhance focus, memory, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.	Supports brain function, cognitive development, and rehabilitation.
Social Benefits	Group sessions and collaborative art projects.	Improves communication, empathy, and social connection among participants.
Applications in Healthcare	Implemented in hospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, and schools.	Assists patients in coping with illness, trauma, and chronic pain, complementing traditional treatments.
Professional Role	Master’s-trained art therapists combine clinical skills with creative techniques.	Ensures safe, ethical, and culturally sensitive therapeutic practice with measurable outcomes.

Why Art Therapy Matters: Benefits, Applications, and Career Relevance 

Art therapy is a unique profession in mental health that uses art-making to help people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The engaging aspect of the creative process, with the support and guidance of a trained art therapist, is leveraged to help individuals work through conflict resolution, develop coping skills, and facilitate self-awareness in a safe, supportive environment. The act of making art can be a powerful means of self-expression, particularly for those who may have difficulty communicating meaningfully in words.

Also read: Is an Online MA in Art Therapy & Counseling Worth It?

Benefits of Art Therapy

• Help Improve Cognitive Abilities: Studies show a strong link between art and brain function, suggesting that art therapy can enhance cognitive abilities. Engaging in creative expression often induces a deep flow state, allowing the brain to heal, recharge, and find balance.
• Build Self-Esteem and Self-Awareness: Art enables individuals to express their feelings in physical form, leading to a sense of pride and self-understanding. By overcoming challenges that arise when creating art, individuals also build confidence. Reflecting on their art can deepen emotional awareness.
• Encourage Emotional Expression: Art therapy offers a safe and nonverbal space for individuals to express and/or release emotions. As a nonverbal approach to helping individuals express feelings, it can help them overcome the challenges of expressing them verbally. Art therapy also provides strategies for coping with feelings long after the function of creative expression ends.
• Help with Pain : Art therapy can help alleviate pain by providing an expressive, creative way to access feelings and/or experiences. When dealing with chronic pain, art can help individuals work through feelings about pain, conceptualize discomfort, and refocus energy away from pain toward engaging creatively.

Application of Art Therapy

Art therapy is applied to treat various mental and physical conditions by using various creative methods:

• Mental Health Treatment
• Physical and Cognitive Health
• General Well-being
• Educational Settings
• Elderly care
• Rehabilitation Facilities
• Community Outreach

Career Relevance and Growth

• Growing mental health awareness is driving higher demand for qualified art therapists.
• Art therapists work in hospitals, schools, clinics, rehab centers, and private practice.
• Helping others heal through creative expression offers deep personal and professional fulfillment.
• A master’s degree, internship, and ATCB credentialing are required to practice.
• Art therapists can specialize in trauma, forensic, or geriatric settings, or advance into private practice and leadership roles.

Also read: High-Demand Careers for MA Graduates in Art Therapy & Counseling

How Edgewood’s Programs Prepare Students for a Career in Art Therapy

The online Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program at Edgewood University prepares students through a curriculum that combines both psychology and studio art coursework with supervised clinical field experiences. This integration of theory and practice helps students develop the competencies needed to be effective art therapists.

Edgewood University’s program combines extensive coursework in both art therapy and counseling, including theory and techniques, with hands-on clinical experiences.

FAQs on How Art Therapy Combines Art and Psychology for Healing

Q: What degree is needed to become an art therapist in the USA?
Ans: To pursue a career in art therapy, you can enrol in a bachelor’s degree in psychology, studio art, or any other related program. You can pursue a master’s degree in art therapy from an accredited institution.

Q: What techniques do art therapists use in the USA?
Ans: Art therapists in the USA tailor creative activities, such as drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, and digital art, to the individual client’s needs to help them express emotions, reduce stress, and improve self-awareness. They often integrate psychological theories and counseling methods to support healing and personal growth.

Q: Do art therapists need certification in the USA?
Ans: For professional practice in the United States, art therapists typically require certification from the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). The primary certification is Registered Art Therapist (ATR), and many art therapists pursue Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC), which is achieved by passing a national exam.

Q: How long does it take to complete art therapy training in the USA?
Ans: In the United States, it generally takes 6-7 years to become an art therapist. This includes 4 years as a Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years as a Master’s degree in Art Therapy. Further, you may be required to have supervised clinical experience and certifications.

Q: How does Edgewood prepare students for art therapy careers?
Ans: Edgewood offers a Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy for aspiring art therapists.