Arts Therapy

Arts therapy is a form of psychological therapy that uses creative expression—such as art, music, drama or movement—alongside a trained therapist. It can help people explore emotions, experiences and patterns when talking alone feels difficult.

Sessions are tailored to the individual and focus on safety, meaning-making and practical coping over time.

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Arts therapy (also called creative arts therapy) is a psychological therapy where the creative process is used as part of therapeutic work. You do not need to be “good” at art or creative activities. The emphasis is on expression and exploration, supported by a qualified therapist.

What happens in arts therapy?

Sessions usually include time to create (for example drawing, painting, working with materials, music or movement) and time to reflect. The therapist may help you notice themes, emotions and patterns that emerge, and connect these to your life experiences and goals.

Some people find it easier to express complex feelings through images, sound or movement than through conversation alone, particularly when experiences are hard to put into words.

What can arts therapy help with?

Anxiety, stress and feeling overwhelmed
Depression and low mood
Trauma and difficult life experiences (with appropriate trauma-informed care)
Grief and bereavement
Self-esteem and identity exploration
Emotional regulation and coping skills

How long does it take?

Arts therapy can be short-term or longer-term depending on your needs. A good therapist will agree goals and review points with you, and check regularly whether the work is helping.

Choosing an arts therapist in the UK

Look for clear information about training, ethical practice, confidentiality and safeguarding. If you have complex trauma, dissociation, or high-risk symptoms, consider a practitioner experienced in trauma-informed work and integrated support.

History of Arts Therapy

Arts therapies developed through the 20th century as clinicians and educators explored how creative expression could support emotional wellbeing and psychological healing. Different disciplines emerged, including art psychotherapy, music therapy, drama therapy and dance movement psychotherapy.

In the UK today, arts therapy is used in a range of settings, from private practice to community and healthcare services, with a focus on safe, structured therapeutic work supported by trained professionals.

Typical conditions that use Arts Therapy

Condition	Evidence	Notes
Anxiety	moderate	Useful where creative expression supports emotion processing and regulation.
Depression	moderate	Supportive therapy option; monitor risk and functioning.
Emotional regulation difficulties	moderate	Builds regulation through safe expression and reflection.
Grief and bereavement	moderate	Helpful for meaning-making and emotional expression.
Low mood	moderate	Can help with expression and motivation in small steps.
Low self-esteem	moderate	Common focus: identity, self-compassion, confidence building.
Self-harm thoughts (sensitive)	moderate	Arts therapy for self-harm recovery.
Shame	moderate	Arts therapy for shame processing.
Stress	moderate	Can support stress management and coping skills.
Acne-related confidence concerns	moderate	Arts therapy for acne-related confidence and expression.
Addiction / dependency support	moderate	Arts therapy used in addiction recovery.
Anger issues	moderate	Arts therapy for anger expression and processing.
Attachment issues	moderate	Arts therapy for attachment issues.
Autism / ASC support	moderate	Arts therapy for autism communication and expression.
Bipolar disorder (support alongside medical care)	moderate	Arts therapy supportive in bipolar disorder.
Body image concerns	moderate	Arts therapy for body image concerns.
Cancer emotional support (men)	moderate	Arts therapy used in cancer emotional support.
Caregiver stress	moderate	Arts therapy for carer stress.
Chronic illness adjustment	moderate	Arts therapy for chronic illness adjustment.
Complex PTSD	moderate	Arts therapy for PTSD and trauma.
Compulsive behaviours	moderate	Arts therapy for OCD and compulsive patterns.
Domestic abuse recovery support (sensitive)	moderate	Arts therapy for domestic abuse recovery.
Eating disorder recovery support (alongside specialist care)	moderate	Arts therapy in eating disorder recovery.
Emotional dysregulation (neurodiversity)	moderate	Arts therapy for emotional dysregulation.
Emotional eating	moderate	Arts therapy for emotional eating.
Family conflict	moderate	Arts therapy for family conflict.
Fatherhood adjustment	moderate	Arts therapy for fatherhood adjustment.
Friendship difficulties	moderate	Arts therapy for friendship and social difficulties.
Gambling problems	moderate	Arts therapy used in gambling recovery.
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)	moderate	Arts therapy for GAD and anxiety.
Guilt	moderate	Arts therapy for guilt processing.
Hair loss-related distress	moderate	Arts therapy for hair loss distress.
Imposter syndrome	moderate	Arts therapy for imposter syndrome.
Intimacy concerns	moderate	Arts therapy for intimacy and relationship concerns.
Intimacy difficulties	moderate	Arts therapy for intimacy difficulties.
Irritability	moderate	Arts therapy for irritability and emotional regulation.
Jealousy	moderate	Arts therapy for jealousy and relationship issues.
Language and communication difficulties (speech/language)	moderate	Arts therapy for communication difficulties.
Leadership coaching goals	moderate	Arts therapy in leadership development.
Learning difficulties support (non-diagnostic)	moderate	Arts therapy for learning difficulties.
Life transitions / adjustment issues	moderate	Arts therapy for life transitions.
Loneliness	moderate	Arts therapy for loneliness.
Long-term condition coping	moderate	Arts therapy for chronic illness coping.
Low confidence	moderate	Arts therapy for low confidence.
Low mood in men	moderate	Arts therapy for low mood in men.
Low motivation	moderate	Arts therapy for low motivation.
Menopause symptoms	moderate	Arts therapy for menopause adjustment.
Motivation and goal setting	moderate	Arts therapy for motivation and goal-setting.
Panic attacks	moderate	Arts therapy for panic and anxiety.
Parenting stress	moderate	Arts therapy for parenting stress.
Pelvic pain	moderate	Arts therapy for pelvic pain expression.
People pleasing	moderate	Arts therapy for people pleasing patterns.
Perfectionism	moderate	Arts therapy for perfectionism.
Performance anxiety	moderate	Arts therapy for performance anxiety.
Phobias	moderate	Arts therapy for phobias.
Postnatal emotional support	moderate	Arts therapy in postnatal emotional support.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)	moderate	Use trauma-informed practice; consider specialist trauma services as needed.
Procrastination	moderate	Arts therapy for procrastination.
Psoriasis stress impact support	moderate	Arts therapy for psoriasis distress.
Relationship conflict	moderate	Arts therapy for relationship conflict.
Relationship stress (men)	moderate	Arts therapy for relationship stress in men.
Resilience building	moderate	Arts therapy for resilience building.
Rumination / overthinking	moderate	Arts therapy for rumination and overthinking.
Separation / divorce support	moderate	Arts therapy for separation/divorce support.
Sexual difficulties	moderate	Arts therapy for sexual difficulties.
Sleep anxiety	moderate	Arts therapy for sleep anxiety.
Social anxiety	moderate	Arts therapy for social anxiety.
Social isolation	moderate	Arts therapy for social isolation.
Stammering (stuttering)	moderate	Arts therapy for stammering confidence.
Stroke recovery support (adjunct)	moderate	Arts therapy supportive in stroke recovery.
Trauma after accident or assault	moderate	Arts therapy for trauma after accident or assault.
Trust issues	moderate	Arts therapy for trust issues.
Weight management (behaviour change support)	moderate	Arts therapy for weight management behaviour change.
Workplace stress	moderate	Arts therapy for workplace stress.
Multiple sclerosis support (adjunct)	limited	Arts therapy supportive for MS adjustment.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need art or music skills?

No. The process focuses on expression and meaning, not artistic ability.

What happens in a session?

You may use materials (e.g., drawing, music, movement) and discuss what emerges.

Is it suitable for adults and young people?

Yes. Approaches are adapted to age and context.