Expressive art therapy uses the creative arts as a form of therapy. Similar to art or dance therapy, expressive art therapy uses the creative process of each individual to promote healing. The goal of expressive art therapy is to facilitate self-discovery, increased awareness, connection and understanding. The act of creating art helps to unlock the expression of inner feelings, and the creative process is the path toward better emotional health. Rather than focusing on the final product, the process of creation via nonverbal language is the emphasis. This type of therapy is often used with children, who may participate in music, movement, or finger painting while the therapist observes the activity and encourages the child to talk about the experience. Adult clients might journal, dance, or create videos in order to connect better with themselves and others. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s expressive art therapy specialists today.
Unlock Healing Through Expressive Arts From the U.S. to Africa, I’ve helped clients transform trauma through the arts—moving from stuck to free, numb to fully feeling. My approach shifts the focus from “what’s wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?”—empowering you to heal with compassion. Whether through movement, music, or visual arts, I guide high-achieving women toward deep emotional release and lasting change. Ready to reclaim your joy? Let’s connect.
— Akinlana Burrowes, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Charlotte, NCCertified in Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Art Therapy Approach to Bilateral Body Mapping by Dr. Cornelia Elbrecht’s Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy (2019) Certified in Level 1 & 2 Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi’s Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute (2018-19)
— Aly Dearborn, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CAExpressive arts therapy uses creative processes—such as painting, music, dance, drama, and poetry—to help individuals express emotions, process trauma, and gain self-awareness. It goes beyond verbal communication, tapping into the unconscious mind to promote healing and transformation. This approach fosters empowerment, mindfulness, and emotional release. By engaging the body, mind, and spirit, clients can explore their identities and heal in a non-verbal, holistic way.
— Cadence McCracken, Associate Professional Clinical CounselorAs a trained drama therapist, I have experience using other modalities that fall under the expressive art umbrella including, primarily, art therapy. My training positions me to use creative thinking to tailor any mode of artistic expression to fit therapeutic goals. So whatever you feel competent and confident in, be it visual art, music, theatre, or anything like cooking or crafting, we will be able to utilize it as a strength and go from there.
— Meghan Todd, Licensed Marriage & Family TherapistAs an artist myself combined with my undergraduate concentration in the psychology of art and artists, I recognize art as being a powerful tool for positive mental health changes. I enjoy the process of exploring and discovering artistic voices and how to tell your story through expression.
— Michael Lockwood, Therapist in New York, NYDBT and ACT can feel like a lot of science. I believe in balancing both science and art. Emotional processing is done in many different ways, and healing looks different for everyone. I encourage the clients I work with to find creative outlets to engage in while in therapy and beyond. This could include: creative writing, painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic design, improv, etc. If you have found art to be a creative outlet please let me know so we can utilize this as a part of your process.
— Julie Woehler, Clinical Social WorkerHaving been an artist all my life, discovering how art has the power to heal and allow us access to deeper parts of ourselves on our journey. Expressive Arts Therapy emphasizes artistic experience as a tool for self-discovery and self-expression, for the integration of physical, mental, emotional and social functioning. I studied Art Therapy in Canada, and discovered its usefulness when working with clients. I am a Certified Therapeutic Arts Specialist.
— Madison Weiss, Associate Professional CounselorIn addition to traditional art therapy, I also use other forms of expressive therapies including narrative, geek therapy, comic therapy, and use gamification to help clients achieve their goals.
— Alison Maples, Counselor in Troy, MIWhile I work remotely I do a great deal of art therapy with clients who are interested. I send materials to clients homes, as well as do art therapy with material individuals have at home.
— Rachael Rosenberg, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los altos, CAThink of me as your personal guide in finding your inner creative muse. We use the process of art makings and markings to explore and provide outlets for what gets trapped inside, smothered and stepped on. I want to help you tap into flexing, stretching, and growing these expressive muscles. You need no special skills to engage in this process, you have them already.
— Andrea Picard, Counselor in Chicago, ILFurther, I often use the expressive arts in my practice with clients particularly bibliotherapy. Clients have also found the use of sand play to be helpful at understanding patterns and increasing resiliency. I value authenticity, integrity, and transparency. You are invited to show up as your full self, authentically, unapologetically, and without hesitation. We ground in mutual practices of affirmation. I expect integrity and offer that to you without reservation. The only way to grow is by
— Dr. L.A. McCrae, Addictions Counselor in Bel Air, MDCertified in Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Art Therapy Approach to Bilateral Body Mapping by Dr. Cornelia Elbrecht’s Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy (2019) Certified in Level 1 & 2 Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi’s Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute (2018-19)
— Aly Dearborn, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CAI utilize Expressive Arts Therapy to aid clients in identity exploration, emotional processing, and creativity building. Incorporating drawing, painting, sculpture, and writing into the therapeutic process can help folks discuss things they may not have the words to express.
— Lauren Appelson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Candidate in Chicago, ILExpressive Art Therapy, utilizing creative modalities such as drawing, painting, music, movement, and storytelling to help individuals explore and process their emotions. My experience includes working with diverse clients, including those struggling with anxiety, by integrating artistic expression as a therapeutic tool for self-discovery and healing. I have a deep understanding of how creative expression bypasses verbal limitations, allowing individuals to connect with their inner experiences.
— Juliana Schone, Licensed Professional Counselor in Porter, TXI like incorporating art, music, and writing into therapy in the ways that my clients enjoy.
— Lyndsey Upton, Associate Professional CounselorI have a Master’s in Expressive Arts Therapy and use creative tools to support healing beyond just talking. Art, movement, and imagination offer powerful ways to process emotions, express what’s hard to put into words, and tap into deeper self-understanding and your own innate ways of knowing, feeling, and making meaning.
— Jaq French, Licensed Professional Clinical CounselorAs written above, I attended Lesley University for my master's degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. Expressive Arts includes all art forms from writing, visual art, performance, dance, drama, music, and play. I have experience and training in each of these modalities and often combine them to help a client process the intervention. My favorite modality is play and drama therapy. Expressive Therapies can be a great compliment to talk therapy, especially if a topic is too painful to talk about.
— Laura Samalya, Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia Beach, VAI received my masters in counseling psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), where I concentrated in expressive arts therapy. I find ways to gently and accessibly invite clients across all experience and comfort levels to engage with creativity, if they desire.
— Ella Mamanta Davidson, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Berkeley, CAArt is a way to express your inner self without the limitations of words. Colors, sounds, flavors, and all other sensory experiences are information that can be communicated through various mediums of art. Art leads to connection where there may be isolation. In all shapes and forms, connection and communication is the purpose of art, and connection and communication are the foundations of healing. No level of artistic ability required
— Sidrah Khan, Licensed Professional Counselor in Austin, TX