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EURASIAN EXPERIMENT JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH

(EEJSAR) ISSN: 2992-4146

©EEJSAR Publications Volume 5 Issue 3 2024

Page | 37
The Therapeutic Effects of Art Therapy in Mental
Health
Mugisha Emmanuel K.

Faculty of Science and Technology Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT
Art therapy is a creative and therapeutic process that combines the making of visual art with
psychotherapy, aiming to improve mental health and emotional well-being. This paper examines the
historical development of art therapy, the theoretical frameworks that underpin it, and its application in
mental health treatment. It reviews empirical evidence supporting art therapy’s effectiveness in treating
disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and schizophrenia. Additionally, the paper discusses
practical techniques employed in art therapy and examines its future implications, especially with the
integration of digital technologies. Although there are limitations in current research, art therapy
remains a powerful tool for self-expression, emotional healing, and insight.
Keywords: Art therapy, mental health, psychotherapy, emotional healing, self-expression.
INTRODUCTION
Art therapy is an approach that uses the creation and sharing of art to increase a person's understanding
of their inner life and improve their overall health and well-being. Although it initially developed within
the mental health field, this therapeutic approach has since also been applied to healthcare services with a
focus on physical well-being. Art therapy is embedded in the history of psychology and the use of art to
gain insight into psychological life. The early roots of art therapy are found in practices before the 20th
century, particularly in the work of psychologists and psychiatrists. The development of art therapy can
be attributed to several pioneering figures who were significant in its history. These figures encouraged
more people to use art therapeutically in various arts, psychotherapy, and education settings. This field of
therapy has grown internationally in Europe, Australasia, Asia, and some parts of the Americas [1, 2, 3].
Rather than a focus on the development of therapeutic techniques, this paper will look at how art therapy
developed during a complex historical timeline. There has been a range of working definitions presented
by art therapists that reflect their various styles and philosophies. However, there is a fundamental
understanding of what art therapy is and what it involves. Broadly, art therapy is the combination of art
as a means of self-expression and psychotherapy as a form of counseling, communication, or analysis. The
images a person makes and the interaction with the therapist are both considered part of the therapeutic
process in art therapy. An art therapist is a professional therapist with years of training in psychotherapy.
Art therapy is conveniently located at the interface of psychology and art with influences from both areas.
However, some people provide recreational programs or simple art education programs without art
therapy training under the same name; such concerns are currently being addressed by national
regulatory bodies of art therapy. Interest in art therapy has grown, resulting in the development of
associations and training routes; art therapy is now increasingly recognized as having a place in mental
health services [4, 5, 6].
Theoretical Frameworks and Principles of Art Therapy
The idea of letting emotions unfold in order to relieve tension has been present in therapeutic settings
from the ancient Egyptians to twentieth-century attitudes towards therapy, which now engage in a
different context of the possible. Art therapy is situated within different therapeutic orientations,
including psychodynamic, humanistic, gestalt, existential, cognitive-behavioral, and systemic approaches.
The psychodynamic models include Freudian, Jungian, and more contemporary analytical approaches.
The humanistic models include phenomenological, heart-centered, and art-as-a-way models [7, 8, 9]. Art

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therapy can be situated in these traditional orientations but also shares specific beliefs alongside
psychotherapy and client-centered approaches. There is a wide scope of definitions and theories
surrounding what art therapy is. However, art therapists share a number of basic principles and beliefs
concerning therapeutic processes. Both the verbal content and artistic expression are considered to be
significant in an art therapy session. It is the professional who holds the aim to share this process with the
client, meaning that making the visual representation, the progress, is the core of the whole process,
together with the dialogue [10, 11, 12]. Non-psychotic, undistracted individuals have an impulse to Page | 38
create and engage in a creative process; inherent within all people is the capacity to use art instinctively as
a method of expressing themselves and providing relief from emotions. The response to the individual
and their unique experiences and emotions is central to the art therapy relationship. Ethical practice is
considered to be essential. The aim of the art therapist is to collaboratively develop therapy strategies and
goals with clients within these principles. In client-centered art therapy, the client rather than the
therapeutic system is the central focus of the work [21, 3, 14].
Empirical Evidence of Art Therapy in Treating Mental Health Disorders
Art therapy is an effective adjunct in the treatment of various mental health disorders. Empirical research
supports the value of art therapy in the treatment of depressive symptoms, anxiety disorders, trauma,
including PTSD, and schizophrenia/psychosis. An investigation of studies revealed improvements in
emotion regulation and insight, empowerment and self-efficacy, and increased self-esteem. Several studies
found that individualized art therapy is more effective compared to standardized art therapy when
personalized interventions are well combined to align with the client's treatment goals. Major themes
that emerged are the value of verbal reflection combined with the visual art-making process for accessing
and communicating feelings, the value of creativity in well-being and mental health, the use of metaphor
in visual expression and storytelling, and the role of the art therapist [15, 16, 17]. There are limitations
in the quality and number of studies conducted. Most research to date has utilized a pretest–post-test
design, followed by either a statistically significant difference in scores or by a quantitative analysis. This
does not provide sufficient evidence of the long-term effects and efficacy of art therapy when compared to
other treatments. Many of the findings in this review emerged from qualitative themes presented in the
discussion sections as the primary means of understanding the value of art therapy. There are two themes
that undermine and negatively impact the therapeutic process and outcome of art therapy treatment.
These two concerns are the emphasis on product rather than process and the lack of combined exhibition
with a focus group interview and interpretations of art [18, 19, 20].
Practical Applications and Techniques in Art Therapy
In art therapy, the practical application and techniques of the art medium used during a session are
considered when the level of therapeutic use or discourse is treatment. Creative art therapies involve
artistic practices such as drawing, painting, and sculpting that allow clients to express and explore their
experiences and emotions in a supportive, nonjudgmental, and safe environment. Art activities can allow
negative energy to be expressed nonverbally and give voice to emotional concerns, where the content of a
verbal comment may express directly the opposite of a participant’s self-perception. At the completion of
art activities, there will be time allowed for a brief talk about the participant’s creation. A group art
therapy that allows time for talk and drawings will also facilitate both internal and external dialogue
about their complex emotional concerns, dysregulated mood, and behavior [21, 22, 23]. Art therapy can
also be conducted on an individual basis, especially when striking differences in a patient’s art are
apparent in ability and imagery, but should allow time for interaction at the end of a session. There are
two general training streams that are found when developing skills in the mental health professions,
which include counseling to use art making and art therapists who practice using verbal processing as
part of their therapy sessions. In a purely art therapy treatment program, people with mental health
issues often work in a group and have the security of working in a safe, held, and containing environment.
Art therapy studies generally discuss group art therapy versus individual art therapy and the advantages
of this mode of therapy. However, case studies with strokes depicting different levels of cognition would
illustrate the outcomes of the art-making activities of each individual constituent of the group. Art
therapy is as it says—art psychotherapy. The art of active listening is the base of art therapy and also
involves empathetic engagement. Art therapists can be employed in both the public sector [5, 21, 24].
Future Research Directions and Implications for Clinical Practice
Given the current gaps in the literature, future research in the field of art therapy is greatly needed. The
investigation of emerging trends in art therapy is important to generate an understanding of their
therapeutic effects and how they might be most beneficially implemented in clinical practice. Art-based

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited
https://www.eejournals.org Open Access
research is traditionally analog, taking place on a physical, embodied level between artist and therapist.
However, with the rapid introduction of digital technology into therapeutic settings and the development
of new art forms, art therapy is beginning to move online. Consequently, the field inherently requires
collaboration and interdisciplinary dialogue between art-based and digital researchers, software
developers, digital artists, art therapists, and others working within the field. Given the implications of
their work, reflective practice is critical for art therapists. However, this skill is also necessary for all
therapists to continually improve their practice and address the evolving needs of clients. The ability to Page | 39
rapidly adapt to new evidence in the field and to change therapeutic approaches accordingly is crucial for
good practice [25, 26, 27]. New questions related to the art therapy process are continually emerging. As
the field evolves, the tools of practice are also changing. It is important for clinicians to stay informed on
new inquiries and treatment modalities with art therapy research at their core. By integrating creative
practices, digital artwork, and traditional art creation, the field of art therapy is continually expanding.
The field continues to grow in innovative directions thanks to the creativity and adaptability of its
practitioners. It is crucial that the field as a whole keeps apace and maintains awareness of these shifts, as
well as having a solid grounding in the foundational research of the field to enable and support innovation
[28, 29, 2].
CONCLUSION
Art therapy has demonstrated considerable therapeutic potential in the treatment of mental health
disorders, offering clients a unique, non-verbal means of emotional expression and healing. Research has
consistently highlighted its value in addressing various psychological conditions, particularly when
tailored to the specific needs of individuals. While the field faces challenges, including gaps in long-term
efficacy studies and integration with digital platforms, its future remains promising. As art therapists
continue to evolve their methods and incorporate emerging technologies, the scope and impact of art
therapy in clinical practice are likely to expand, offering innovative pathways for healing and emotional
growth.
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CITE AS: Mugisha Emmanuel K. (2024). The Therapeutic Effects of

Art Therapy in Mental Health. EURASIAN EXPERIMENT
JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH, 5(3):37-
40.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited