Photo by Una Laurencic
Modern society has only recently begun to be aware of mental health. This can be seen in the relative popularity of self-help books, which have merged as popular tools for individuals wishing to grow personally and emotionally.
Among the diverse range of self-help literature, art therapy books stand out as unique resources that harness the power of creativity to address psychological challenges.
So, if you can, buy an art therapy self-help book and start your journey with art as a healing medium.
What Even is Art Therapy Anyway?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy. It taps into the creative capacities of people and uses it to explore emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
Engaging in artistic activities has been seen to help individuals gain better insights into their inner world. This, in turn, leads to developing coping strategies that are more suited to the individual. It cannot be overstated how profoundly beneficial this is.
Art therapy can be particularly helpful for people who struggle to express themselves verbally or have discovered that traditional talk therapy has its limits.
The Benefits of a Journey with Art

Begin a journey with art and heal.
Photo by WangMing Photo
Art therapy offers a multitude of advantages for individuals wanting to explore other ways of improving their mental health and overall well-being.
For starters, art therapy (as with art) is easily accessible. Just grab a pencil and some paper–voila!–you’re already a foot in. You don’t need to prepare a canvass or anything.
Just make do with whatever you can create art with (which can be anything) because art is wonderfully flexible. The thing with art therapy is that you can engage with the material at your own pace. You can even tailor the exact process according to your specific needs.
Because art therapy is highly personal, you are always in a non-judgmental space if you want. When you are doing art therapy you are focused on self-expression, exploring your emotions without the fear of being criticised.
When you are freely indulged in creative activities, your stress and anxiety is brought to its lowest levels. Stress reduction promotes relaxation and mindfulness. Who doesn’t want to be relaxed and mindful?
Art therapy also serves as a vehicle for emotional release. When you are singlemindedly focused on creating art, you are subconsciously processing and releasing pent-up emotions. This frees the mind from worry.
Through art therapy, you have the opportunity for self-discovery. Artistic expression allows individuals to gain insight into their inner world, their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Engaging in creative activities via art therapy can boost self-worth as individuals discover their artistic abilities and potential.
Art therapy is a vector for acquiring improved communication skills, both with oneself and with others. Visual expression can help individuals convey complex emotions and ideas that may be difficult to articulate verbally.
Incorporating Art Therapy into Daily Life
If you are diving into art therapy, consider integrating the skills you’ve learned into daily life. This has a twofold effect: it makes art therapy more interesting and comprehensive while allowing you to practice your creativity and self-expression. These are just some ideas you might want to bandy inside your head:
- Designating a specific area in your home to create a dedicated space for art therapy can do wonders.
- Setting aside time for art therapy helps you get into the groove, making for a consistent schedule, even if it’s only just for a few minutes a day.
- Doing away with perfectionism and embracing the process of creation helps you embrace imperfection both within you and with the world around you.
- Trying various art forms different from your initial works helps you develop new techniques and forms of expression.
Art therapy is a valuable resource for individuals looking to explore their emotions, enhance creativity, and improve mental health.

Begin a journey with art and heal.
Photo by Steve Johnson
Making use of art therapy techniques and incorporating them into daily life, individuals can experience the transformative power of self-expression and cultivate a greater sense of well-being.
Deliberately choosing to go into art therapy and consistently practicing its techniques can unlock one’s creative potential and help them on their art journey of self-discovery and healing.
Margaret Carpenter Arnett is the author of The Art Of The Inner Journey, an exploration of how art can heal. Order a copy now and embark on a journey with art!