Art therapy is a specialised form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication and expression. In art therapy, art is used as a way of addressing emotional issues which may be distressing or confusing.
Art Therapists work with children, young people, adults and older adults. Clients may have a wide range of difficulties, disabilities or diagnoses. These include emotional, behavioural or mental health issues, learning or physical disabilities, life-limiting and neurological conditions and physical illnesses.
Art therapy is not a recreational activity or an art lesson, although the sessions can be enjoyable. Clients do not need to have any previous experience or expertise in art.
Although influenced by psychoanalysis, Art Therapists have been guided by theories such as attachment~based and Jungian psychotherapy, and have developed a broad range of client~centred approaches such as psycho-educational, mindfulness and mentalization~based.
The British Association of Art Therapists website has lots of useful information about what art therapy is and what art therapists do: