Therapeutic Art or Art Therapy? - 5 Common Misconceptions

Art Therapy has been around for a while but it’s only just beginning to pick up steam and gain more mainstream media coverage. Naturally, as with any unfamiliar subject or profession, there are some common misconceptions about Art Therapy. Here are a few misconceptions I’ve heard over the years:

1. Art Therapy is just like traditional talk therapy just with some art thrown in.
   Art Therapy can simply be defined as the combination of talk therapy and the use of art making during a therapeutic session, with the guidance of a licensed Art Therapist. While that might be a very simplified definition, there’s a lot more to it. There are reasons, based in research, behind the art directives used in a session, the materials selected, and the types of discussions had about the art pieces created. 
2. Any licensed therapist can provide Art Therapy.
   In reality, people have to go through extensive training and post graduate work to become fully licensed as Art Therapists and to use that title. Most Art Therapists receive bachelor degrees, and then attend a two year graduate programs which includes theory, practice, and supervised work. Some professionals go on to pursue doctoral degrees in Art Therapy. After completing their graduate programs, they complete an additional two years of supervised work and then take licensing exams, in addition to their usual therapist licensure requirements per their state regulations. 
3. There is little research supporting the use of Art Therapy.
   While there is always room for more, there has been a great deal of research done which documents the benefits of art making, Art Therapy, and its impact on mental health outcomes. Again, while this isn’t the most common form of therapy it doesn’t mean there isn’t research. One of the more popularized mental health issues tied to Art Therapy is trauma work with veterans, children, and in the medical/hospital setting. 
4. You have to be an artist to truly benefit from Art Therapy.
   This is one thing that often deters people from trying Art Therapy. This is not true! No artistic experience is required to begin Art Therapy or reap its benefits. Most Art Therapists have experience with the arts both personally and professionally. Many Art Therapists also have prior training as art teachers which helps ease client worries and provide clients with any necessary support.
5. Art Therapy includes things like coloring books and mandalas. 
   There are lots of books and activities out there that have the label “Art Therapy” on them. Really, what these coloring books and activities are referencing is therapeutic art making. There are numerous articles and research out there referring to the ways in which making art, creating, making music, etc., have therapeutic value. This basically means people find art making to be helpful, healing, relaxing, cathartic, and insight building. The difference here is that therapeutic art is generally something you can do on your own. Art Therapy, on the other hand, requires an Art Therapist be present with you in some way, such as in person or via some video/audio medium. 

 
Hope this helps clarify some things and maybe increases your interest in Art Therapy and the benefits of creating art for therapeutic purposes further!
 
Be safe and be well.

​-Janette D. Macias

Therapeutic Art

Art Therapy