Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to be an artist or consider yourself creative to participate in Art Therapy?

No. One does not even need to be able to draw the proverbial straight line to find Art Therapy beneficial. All one needs is an open mind and a willingness to try something new. The focus is not on the product, on how well one draws but, on the process, the experience of creating.

Who can benefit from Art Therapy?

Anyone can benefit from Art Therapy. People of all ages. For those who may want to explore a different form of psychotherapy, or who may struggle with discussing their concerns and worries verbally can find using creative means very helpful. Children, teens and adults sometimes, may not have the words, or may be hesitant to speak them, to express or share their thoughts, feelings and experiences, art therapy can provide a different means of communication, exploration and healing.

What does an Art Therapy session look like?

I work to create an atmosphere where you can feel free to experiment, explore and play, to find what works for you. My office is a comfortable space to be present and share one’s thoughts feelings, experiences using both Art Therapy and traditional talk therapy, to express oneself verbally and creatively.

Each session is designed with you in mind. Some people create art in each session, some find talking while creating helpful and others prefer to create their art in quiet, while others prefer talking alone or sharing and talking can be the inspiration for the art making.

There is often some reflection and discussion about one’s art and one’s experience- one’s process regarding the art piece. Together we can look at your art, to discover your meaning in the images you create. This supports an increased awareness of the issue, and perhaps varied ways to address or understand it in a new light. Sometimes the art stands on its own, as a statement without explanation.

Art Therapy can look different with different populations and when having different goals.

There is a variety of art making materials available-including colored pencils, regular pencils, oil and chalk pastels, paint, clay, collage items, and fabrics. In addition to art making, also available are play items for children, toys, games and books.

Is art making part of every session?

Art making can happen as much or as little as you choose.

What is the difference between art making or drawing I do on my own and Art Therapy?

Creating art in Art Therapy, with an Art Therapist, offers you the opportunity to express and explore your creations. Within the trusting therapeutic relationship you have the opportunity to gain new insights, self-awareness, learn new coping skills, and address challenging feelings, thoughts, and experiences. The innate benefits of art making you experience when creating independently is present in Art Therapy as well.

What is art making for self care?

Making art is relaxing, it can be a distraction, it providers the artist with a bit of respite from their challenges, if even for a just a moment. While distractions do not last forever, and the challenges still are present once the art making is complete, being able to experience even a moment of respite, of distraction can be extremely empowering. It is something that the artist created, thus they can do so again. Art making can be very helpful for relaxation, self-care, and stress reduction.

Who are Art Therapists?

An Art Therapist must have completed a master’s level training program which is accredited by the American Art Therapy Association.

As Art Therapists we learn to be clinicians, therapists who use art making as a communication tool, to build a therapeutic relationship, to support our clients strengths, to identify and explore the challenges clients are ready to address, to understand and support relationships, to address trauma, abuse, painful experiences, to support ones quality of life, and to build connections with oneself and the outside world. Art Therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media).

Art Therapists need to be Board Certified and Registered with the American Art Therapy Association. In many states, NY being one of them, one cannot practice or call themselves or what they do, Art Therapy unless they are Licensed by the state of NY as an LCAT, which is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. This requires completing a set number of supervised clinical hours and an exam. It also requires ongoing continuing education credits, which are reviewed every 5 years.

Resources & Links

“It is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self.”
– D.W. Winnicott