Art Therapy

Therapy that uses drawing, painting, sculpture, or other art forms to help people express and process emotions.

In the context of addiction treatment:
Provides a nonverbal way to explore grief, shame, hope, or trauma.

What to know:

  • You don’t need to be “good at art” — it’s about expression, not talent.

  • Can reduce anxiety and help people open up more in words afterward.

Example:
A client paints their addiction as a dark storm, then a second picture showing what recovery might look like.

Return to Glossary