Art Therapy

Art therapy is a mental health modality using the art-making process, materials, and the therapeutic relationship to facilitate wellbeing for the client. The physicality of the art materials and processes, enable the client to express how they are feeling without the need for words. Art-making may also help bring to awareness, deeper emotions and conflicts residing in the person’s psyche.

Trauma-Informed Art Therapy

‘Trauma’ is a broad term for a person’s experience of a single or multiple distressing event(s), and may include complex trauma, which is relational trauma occurring over long periods of time such as emotional, physical, sexual abuse or neglect. Such forms of trauma especially during a person’s early life, can shape our beliefs and how we relate to others and the world. The Adverse Childhood Experiences study by Felitti et al (1998) has shown how childhood adversity affects physical and mental health well into adulthood, also increasing the likelihood of health-harming behaviours such as alcoholism and drug addiction.

Talk therapy may help a person arrive at narratives about their trauma, but what one knows cognitively may feel disconnected from one’s feelings. Trauma-informed art therapy prioritises the sense of safety for the client, and does not solely focus on verbal narration of the trauma as a form of healing. As a psychodynamic modality, art therapy works (either directly or indirectly) with a person’s family of origin and developmental relationships. The therapeutic relationship with the art therapist is also a core aspect of art therapy, with emphasis on building trust to facilitate healing from attachment trauma.

Furthermore, art therapy works with the body through physical movements to regulate the nervous system, offering grounding for a nervous system often overstimulated due to earlier trauma. Art therapy’s effectiveness as a mind-body treatment for trauma is increasingly being recognised through evidence-based research.

Neurodivergence Affirming Art Therapy

Neurodivergence is a part of nature and is an evolutionarily beneficial trait, but medical systems have instead historically pathologised it. It is important for mental health professionals to view neurodivergence from a strengths-based perspective and be aware of the impact of systemic ableism on a person's mental health.

Art therapy can be very beneficial for neurodivergent (ND) people such as those with ADHD and/or Autism. Artmaking engages more than the spoken word. The use of images aligns with how ND people often think visually, making it easier for them to communicate through art. The kinesthetic (movement) and sensory nature of materials are added dimensions that attract many ND as they appreciate the embodied, intuitive and grounding nature of art therapy. The art processes and products hold inherent layers of meaning and significance. Having hyperconnected brains makes many ND people creative and unencumbered by social rules. Art therapy harnesses their creativity as a strength to build self confidence in an ableist society where they are often held against neurotypical standards.

ND people often face prejudice in a society that values conformity over diversity. Art therapy can help with processing the complex trauma which inevitably arises from being misunderstood and unsupported as a minority neurotype. Learning about one's unique personality and what works for them, loving themselves and getting in touch with authenticity are positive outcomes of art therapy for ND people. They could also learn emotional regulation techniques to help them cope with the stressors of daily life. Making sense of relationships and its complex dynamics is another important area that we could work on in therapy.

Types of Art Therapy

Art therapy practice occurs on a spectrum. On one end is ‘art as therapy’, where the art-making process itself is therapeutic. On the other end is situated ‘art psychotherapy’, where deeper insight may be facilitated for the client. Different ‘types’ of art therapy may be used depending on the client or objective at any point in time of the therapy. Whatever the case, the art therapist suspends judgment and does not impose their own beliefs on the client. Instead, the art therapist helps the client arrive at their own meanings and conclusion.

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