The short answer
Art therapy is a mental health profession. A trained, credentialed art therapist works with a client on goals such as emotional well-being, under a clinical relationship. A creative art activity, such as painting together or making a card, is for enjoyment and time together. The activities on this site are the second kind. They are not therapy, and they do not treat any condition.
- Art therapy is a mental health profession practiced by trained, credentialed therapists.
- The activities on this site are ordinary creative activities for enjoyment and time together.
- A creative activity has no clinical goal, no treatment plan and no assessment.
- If someone is struggling with anxiety, depression or trauma, talk to a doctor or a licensed mental health professional.
- You can enjoy art at home without calling it therapy.
On this page (5 sections)
Art therapy and a creative art activity can look alike from the outside. Both use paper, paint and clay. They are different in purpose, in who leads them and in the training behind them. Knowing the difference helps you choose the right kind of support, and it keeps you from calling a fun afternoon of painting something it is not. This page explains the difference and what you can do at home today.
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a mental health profession. Art therapists are trained clinicians who use art-making within a professional relationship and work toward goals set with the person. Their work is usually part of a wider mental health or care plan.
In the United States, art therapists can earn credentials such as ATR or ATR-BC, which require graduate education and supervised experience. The American Art Therapy Association explains those credentials. In the UK, “art therapist” and “art psychotherapist” are protected titles, and practitioners must be registered. The British Association of Art Therapists describes the profession.
What is a creative art activity?
A creative art activity is something you do for enjoyment and company. There is no treatment plan, no assessment and no clinical goal. Painting a picture together, tearing paper into a mosaic or making a birthday card are all creative activities.
The activities on this site are ordinary activities of this kind. They are for time together, not for treatment. They do not treat, cure or prevent any condition, and they do not improve memory.
How do art therapy and a creative activity compare?
| Art therapy | A creative art activity | |
|---|---|---|
| Who leads it | A trained, credentialed art therapist | A family member, friend or activity leader |
| Main purpose | A clinical goal, set with a professional | Enjoyment, company and something to do |
| Training | Formal graduate training and supervised practice | No training needed |
| Relationship | A professional, clinical relationship | An everyday relationship |
| Where it happens | Clinics, hospitals, schools or private practices | Home, a care setting or a community space |
| Who can check it | Licensing or registration bodies | No one needs to check it |
When should you look for an art therapist?
Talk to a doctor first. A doctor can tell you whether a referral to a licensed mental health professional makes sense. If someone you care for has ongoing anxiety, depression, trauma or other emotional difficulties, a professional can help in ways a craft table cannot.
For help finding and checking a therapist, read how to find and check an art therapist. If a person talks about harming themselves, or you are worried about their safety, do not wait. Contact a doctor, a crisis line or emergency services right away.
What can you do at home today?
You do not need a therapist to enjoy art together. Choose something simple, set it up in advance and stop whenever it stops being pleasant. These are good places to begin:
- Paint with watercolors, letting the colors run on wet paper.
- Make a torn paper mosaic, with no scissors and no right way to place the pieces.
- Make a memory collage from photos and magazine pictures.
- Press leaves and flowers between the pages of a heavy book.
For more ideas, see our arts and crafts guide. Art can be a pleasant part of your week. It does not have to be called therapy to be worth doing.
Common questions
Is painting with my mom at home art therapy?
No. Painting together at home is a creative activity. It can be relaxing and a good way to spend time together. Art therapy is a mental health profession, and it is practiced by trained therapists with formal credentials, under a clinical relationship.
When should I look for an art therapist?
Look for one when a doctor or licensed mental health professional recommends it, or when someone you care for has emotional difficulties that need professional support, such as ongoing anxiety, depression or trauma. Start by talking to a doctor.
Can art activities replace a therapist?
No. Creative activities are not a replacement for professional mental health care. If a person has serious emotional distress, or talks about harming themselves, get help right away from a doctor, a crisis line or emergency services.
Sources
We link to the organizations and studies this page relies on. Each was checked when the page was updated.
- Credentials and Licensure · American Art Therapy Association
- What is art therapy? · British Association of Art Therapists