What conditions does art therapy treat?

Art therapy is used to treat both physical and mental conditions and address symptoms related to chronic health concerns, including:

Post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma recovery ²

• Grief and loss treatment
• Addiction recovery ³
• Depression ⁴
• Panic disorder
• Anxiety
• Asthma ⁵
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Undesired behavior

Art therapy and cancer

Art therapy can help relieve anxiety, depression, and emotional distress in cancer patients.

• A study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that art therapy was effective for improving mood and reducing anxiety and depression in cancer patients. ⁶
• During active cancer treatment, like chemotherapy or radiation, the ability to freely express thoughts, fears, and emotions through an open creative process seems particularly valuable during active cancer treatment. ⁷ Art therapy can help restore self-image and identity after cancer treatment. ⁸

What can I expect to happen during art therapy?

Although art therapists are trained to treat a number of different psychological or emotional issues, some therapists will specialize in certain conditions. Confirm that your therapist is equipped to address your particular concern.

Art therapy can be done in groups or in individual sessions. Before you seek treatment, make sure that you are choosing what you or a trusted healthcare practitioner believes will work best for you.

Is there evidence that art therapy works?

In the last 25 years, as more people have added art therapy to their treatment plans, more and more research has been published on its positive impact for treating certain conditions. For example, one large review study found that there is moderately good evidence that art therapy helps improve quality of life and lower anxiety and depression, especially in women. ⁹

Recently, art therapy has been used in community settings to help improve the quality of life of people living with long-term illnesses and conditions. An 8-week study found it helped physical and mental health as well as people’s sense of well-being. ¹⁰

Is there evidence that art therapy works?

In the last 20 years, as patients increasingly integrate art therapy into their treatment plans, more and more literature is being published exploring and confirming the positive impact of art therapy for treating certain conditions. This includes for:

• Trauma ²
• Depression, anxiety and phobias ³
• Burnout, fatigue and quality of life for End of Life/Hospice Care Workers ⁴
• Physical and psychological symptoms relating to cancer ⁶
• Anxiety and quality of life in children with asthma ⁷

Are there precautions, side effects or safety concerns I should know about?

Art therapy is widely considered a safe way of addressing physical and mental symptoms of cancer and other conditions when delivered by a well-trained certified art therapist. Any form of therapy can bring up uncomfortable emotion and cause you to experience some mental and emotional discomfort.

Reliving traumatic experiences is difficult and if it isn’t handled correctly can negatively affect your emotional and physical health. Talk with your doctor about whether art therapy is right for you and where to find a therapist or program.

What training, certifications or licensing does an art therapist need?

In the United States, there is no single set of guidelines and certifications required to practice art therapy. However, there are some licensing guidelines and education requirements you can check to see if an art therapist is well qualified.

License Guidelines

• Art therapy is regulated in 15 states plus the District of Columbia. Requirements vary by the state in which the therapist is practicing.
• Typically, art therapists are licensed as an art therapist, creative art therapist, or professional or mental health counselor. To find your state’s current licensing requirements, visit arttherapy.org/state-advocacy

Education Requirements

• To be recognized as an art therapist, someone must complete graduate level education in art therapy or a related counseling or psychological field. The American Art Therapy Association also requires that students complete certain courses during their graduate program in order to
  apply for licensure. To find more information on recognized graduate programs and the courses art therapists are required to take, visit https://arttherapy.org/educational-standards/

Board Certification and Registration

• Currently, the American Art Therapy Association oversees and certifies the registration of art therapists. In order to be registered, a therapist must have completed a graduate program in art therapy from an accredited university, completed an internship or clinic hours supervised by a professional clinician and pass a nationally recognized exam. To learn more about the certification process, visit http://www.atcb.org/Public/AboutTheCredentials

How do I find an art therapist?

The best place to locate a certified art therapist who meets the requirements of the American Art Therapy Association is to visit https://arttherapy.org/art-therapist-locator/

Will my insurance company cover the cost of seeing an art therapist?

Someone who is only listed as an art therapist may not be covered under your insurance policy. Whether your insurance company covers art therapy mostly depends on your therapist’s training, license and how your state classifies art therapy as a profession.

• Some insurance companies will cover treatment and recognize the services of therapists trained in services that go along with the art therapy, such as traditional counseling services.

Should I tell my primary care physician that I am seeing an art therapist?

Yes. Let your primary care doctor and any other health care providers know that you would like to include art therapy in your treatment.

Endnotes

1. Lamb-Mourey, R. Creative Arts Therapy – Promoting Health and Community for Veterans. August 16, 2021. Available at https://www.va.gov/northport-healthcare/stories/creative-arts-therapy-promoting-health-and-community-forveterans/. Accessed July 26, 2024.
2. Schouten KA, de Niet GJ, Knipscheer JW, et al. The effectiveness of art therapy in the treatment of traumatized adults. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 2014;16(2):220-228. doi: 10.1177/1524838014555032.
3. Aletraris L, Paino M, Edmond MB, Roman PM, Bride BE. The use of art and music therapy in substance abuse treatment programs. J Addict Nurs. 2014 Oct-Dec;25(4):190-6. doi: 10.1097/JAN.0000000000000048.
4. Uttley, L., Scope, A., Stevenson, M., et al. (2015). Systematic review and economic modelling of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of art therapy among people with non-psychotic mental health disorders. Chapter 2, Clinical effectiveness of art therapy: quantitative systematic review. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279641/. Accessed July 26, 2024.
5. S Potash J, Hy Ho A, Chan F, Lu Wang X, Cheng C. Can art therapy reduce death anxiety and burnout in end-of-life care workers? a quasi-experimental study. Int J Palliat Nurs. 2014;20(5):233-40. doi: 10.12968/ijpn.2014.20.5.233.
6. Nainis N, Paice JA, Ratner J, Wirth JH, Lai J, Shott S. Relieving symptoms in cancer: innovative use of art therapy. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2006 Feb;31(2):162-9.
7. Elimimian EB, Elson L, Stone E, et al. A pilot study of improved psychological distress with art therapy in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. BMC Cancer. 2020;20(1):899. doi: 10.1186/s12885-020-07380-5.
8. Kaimal G, Carroll-Haskins K, Mensinger JL, Dieterich-Hartwell R, Biondo J, Levin WP. Outcomes of therapeutic artmaking in patients undergoing radiation oncology treatment: a mixed-methods pilot study. Integr Cancer Ther. 2020;19:1534735420912835. doi: 10.1177/1534735420912835.
9. Nainis NA. Approaches to art therapy for cancer inpatients: Research and practice considerations. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association 2008;25(3):115-121.
10. Gallagher L, Shella T, Bates D, Briskin I, Jukic M, Bethoux F. Utilizing the arts to improve health, resilience, and well-being (HeRe We Arts®): a randomized controlled trial in community-dwelling individuals with chronic medical conditions. Front Public Health. 2024 Feb 7;12:1242798. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1242798.