The Art of Healing

by Ayla Blumberg

The use of visual and auditory art in therapy sessions offers a safe space for people to

process complex trauma and express their emotions, leading to significant improvements in

mental health and personal growth. In recent years, therapists have more and more often turned to creative outlets as powerful tools for the healing and personal growth of clients. These mediums provide a non-verbal outlet for those who struggle to articulate their inner turmoil with words alone. Through artistic expression, they can explore and process painful emotions and find new perspectives on their daily challenges.

When Talking Isn’t Enough, Art Speaks

Trauma often leaves individuals feeling isolated, misunderstood, and disconnected from their sense of self. Traditional talk therapy, while essential, doesn’t always provide the necessary tools to help people truly process and release the deep-rooted effects of trauma. Art-based therapies—particularly those involving visual and auditory art, such as listening to music, drawing, coloring, and building—offer a unique opportunity for clients to engage with their emotions in a way that goes beyond just discussion. As a result, art therapy has become an essential tool in cultivating emotional healing and growth in those recovering from trauma.

Art is for more than just museums! It can be used for much more than just enjoying a nice view on a quiet day. Especially as a form of therapy, art therapy is a way to use art (well, I wouldn’t say “new”—it’s almost 90 years old) to alleviate pain and reduce stress and depression. Since the 1940s, art therapy has helped people work through trauma and understand their feelings through artistic expression..

Music Meets Mind

Laura Inserra, a highly sought-after sound practitioner known worldwide, uses a form of art therapy called Meta-Music Healing. As Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross explain in their book Your Brain on Art, this music therapy incorporates ancient practices inspired by several cultures. “Laura explained to us, ‘I use music to allow what is nonverbal to emerge and inform my clients,’” many of whom come to her for relief from acute stress and anxiety. Inserra shows through her experience how art therapy is beneficial and how she has seen the improvement it can help create in clients. The continued use of art therapy in mental health practices has the potential to reshape how we approach the healing process, making it more accessible and effective for those in need.

Your Brain on Art

Therapy isn’t for the “broken” and “lost”; it’s for everyone. No one is perfect, and

therefore, every single person on earth has something they can work on to improve themselves for those around them. Art therapy can help improve communication skills, coping mechanisms, mood, and self-esteem. Many forms of art therapy are not specific to relieving anxiety, stress, and depression, but are focused more on mood swings and self-esteem: “Color therapy is based on the ways in which the visible color spectrum improves a person's mood. Because color transmits at different frequencies and vibrations, practitioners are able to use a color’s specific properties to shift the energy–and frequencies–within our bodies” (Magsamen and Ross 41) The understanding here is that art therapy isn’t just drawing and listening to music. Just experiencing different colors and viewing different shades and pictures can help improve our mood and even go as far as to boost self-esteem.

Proof in Practice

A study written by Apoorva Shukla, Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health: A Critical Review, was published on the National Library of Medicine’s website. It involved participants who, over two months, engaged in different forms of art every day, including pottery, painting, and photography. After this social experiment, the results came back positive and hopeful:“Art therapy has been shown to boost self-esteem by reinforcing emotions of self-worth or competence. Finally, following the two-month course, participants continued to create artwork independently, resulting in a stronger sense of accomplishment and enhanced self-esteem.”This experiment displayed the positive short-term effects of art therapy when practiced consistently. 

Art therapy doesn't just have positive short-term effects on mood and self-esteem. It can also help people improve interpersonal relationships and problem-solving skills. Art therapy doesn’t have to be done alone; many group therapy sessions use art as the main activity. These sessions help improve communication and listening skills. Art therapy also enhances problem-solving and critical thinking through experiences—even something as simple as watching a play. It demonstrates its value not only in improving immediate mental health but also in strengthening essential life skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, which contribute to long-term personal and social growth.

Art for a Better Life

Ultimately, art therapy proves that healing is not a one-size-fits-all process but a deeply intimate journey enhanced by creative expression. It has proven to be a valuable tool in the healing process, offering individuals a way to process complex emotions, overcome trauma, and enhance their mental health and personal growth. As we continue to recognize the benefits of these practices, more people should have access to this knowledge, allowing them to explore, test, and heal at their own pace. With its proven ability to improve mood, build self-esteem, and strengthen interpersonal relationships, art therapy is not just a method for overcoming past pain, but also a way to empower people to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.