Top results

Art Therapy (AT)

Art therapy (AT) is a clinical intervention that uses the fine arts, such as painting, drawing, or sculpting, to help patients concretely express memories, emotions, and desires.1,2 The goal is to focus both on artistic expression and the process that goes into that expression, including how the creative process impacts the patient's ability to reflect on and cope with their experiences.1 AT may lead to improved function, self-awareness, self-esteem, and emotional resilience.1-3 AT can also be used to link physical sensations with emotions, which may help decrease discomfort from mood disorders.1 Patients may find AT more approachable for expression in comparison with verbal approaches, and AT is often used in conjunction with other psychotherapies and medication.1,4
Description: Art therapy (AT) is a clinical intervention that uses the fine arts, such as painting, drawing, or sculpting, to help patients concretely express memories, emotions, and desires.1,2 The goal is to focus both on artistic expression and the process that goes into that expression, including how the creative process impacts the patient's ability to reflect on and cope with their experiences.1 AT may lead to improved function, self-awareness, self-esteem, and emotional resilience.1-3 AT can also be used to link physical sensations with emotions, which may help decrease discomfort from mood disorders.1 Patients may find AT more approachable for expression in comparison with verbal approaches, and AT is often used in conjunction with other psychotherapies and medication.1,4
Potentially effective for the following mental health concerns: Depressive disorders
Potentially effective in the following age groups: Adolescent, Adult, Pediatric, Geriatric
Treatment setting options: Individual, Group
Treatment format options: In-person
Typical treatment duration: < 10 sessions, 10-20 sessions, 20+ sessions, Variable
Potential limitations: Art therapists are highly trained, but art modality and session style can vary between therapists.1,2 While evidence supports the use of AT, more high-quality studies on the effectiveness of AT are needed.5

Footnotes:

Supporting references for the filters are as follows:
Potentially effective for the following mental health concerns: Depressive disorders1,5; Potentially effective in the following age groups: Pediatric,6 Adolescent,6 Adult,6 Geriatric1,6; Treatment setting options: Individual,6 Group6; Treatment format options: In-person1; Typical treatment duration: < 10 sessions,6 10–20 sessions,6 20+ sessions,6 Variable6
 

This resource is intended for educational purposes only and is intended for US healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals should use independent medical judgment. All decisions regarding patient care must be handled by a healthcare professional and be made based on the unique needs of each patient. 

 

ABBV-US-01621-MC, Version 1.0
Approved 05/2024
AbbVie Medical Affairs ​

References:

  1. Ciasca EC, Ferreira RC, Santana CLA, et al. Art therapy as an adjuvant treatment for depression in elderly women: a randomized controlled trial. Braz J Psychiatry. 2018;40(3):256-263. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2017-2250 
  2. Iguina MM, Kashan S. Art therapy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Accessed April 23, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549771/ 
  3. About art therapy. American Art Therapy Association. Accessed April 23, 2024. https://arttherapy.org/about-art-therapy/ 
  4. Dere-Meyer C, Bender B, Metzel E, Diaz K. Psychotropic medication and art therapy: overview of literature and clinical considerations. Arts Psychother. 2011;38(1):29-35. doi:10.1016/j.aip.2010.10.003  
  5. Chiang M, Reid-Varley WB, Fan X. Creative art therapy for mental illness. Psychiatry Res. 2019;275:129-136. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.025 
  6. Slayton SC, D’Archer J, Kaplan F. Outcome studies on the efficacy of art therapy: a review of findings. Art Therapy. 2010;27(3):108-118. doi:10.1080/07421656.2010.10129660 

Welcome To NP Psych Navigator

This website is intended for healthcare professionals inside the United States.
Please confirm that you are a healthcare professional inside the US.

No, I am not US Healthcare professional

You are now leaving NP Psych Navigator

Links to sites outside of NP Psych Navigator are provided as a resource to the viewer. AbbVie Inc accepts no responsibility for the content of non-AbbVie linked sites.

Redirect to:

Please to bookmark content