Art Therapy

Art therapy combines creative expression with psychotherapy to address mental health needs. It is founded on the belief that self-expression through artistic creation has therapeutic value for those who are healing or seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their behaviors (Psychology Today).

Girija Kaimal of Drexel University, an art therapist also established with her doctorate in human development and psychology, performed a 2014 study investigating the effects of a single 45-minute art therapy session on stress in 39 healthy adults (3). She and her team sampled the saliva of participants before and after the session to test levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone. For about 75% of participants, cortisol levels went down immediately after art therapy. 

Unlike traditional therapy, which is most often reliant on verbal communication, art therapy taps into the brain’s non-verbal centers. From research studies, such as Dr. Kaimal’s, there is proven to be bidirectional causality between engaging in creative activities and activating neural pathways linked to memory and emotion, making art therapy a particularly effective tool for trauma recovery.

However, in similarity to standard conventions of therapy, Art Therapy functions upon the stimulation of multiple brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex (charged with governing decision-making and neuroregulation), the amygdala (channeling emotional and stress responses), and the parietal lobes (involved in spatial and visual processing).  Beyond activation of these regions, the action artistic creation promotes neuroplasticity, the brains ability to rewire and establish neural connections–which can prove essential in overcoming trauma and finding new coping mechanisms in regulating mental illness and/or emotional wellbeing. In the process of creating art, we also channel a system within our brain named the reward system. This system triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and motivation. This release not only fosters a sense of accomplishment but also counteracts symptoms of anxiety and depression, making art therapy a powerful tool for improving mental health.

As global anxiety soars and healthcare systems face mounting pressure, art therapy stands out as a vital alternative. “It bypasses the often intimidating setting of a therapist’s office and invites people to explore their inner worlds through a medium that feels less judgmental and more accessible” (Psychology Today). It transcends the often daunting confines of a therapist’s office, offering a creative and accessible path for self-exploration.

In art, we find transformation. Change. Art serves as a catalyst for development and growth in more ways than consciously processed. Art therapy takes this catalysis one step further—it helps people make sense of change. It allows individuals to conceptualize and process internal happenings. Art therapy is a reformative therapeutic practice, turning creativity into a pathway for deeper self-awareness and healing.

REFERENCES

ART Blog: What is Art Therapy. 

Science and Culture: Searching for the science behind art therapy - PMC

Art Therapy | Psychology Today