How Art Therapy Supports Mental Health: The What, When, Where, Who & Why
- Vicki Soar
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Hi, I’m Vicki—Art Psychotherapist, artist, and founder of Soar Art Therapy.
I often get asked, “How does art therapy actually work?” or “Can it really help with things like anxiety or trauma?”
In this post, I’ll walk you through what the evidence says about art therapy and why it can be such a powerful support for mental wellbeing. Whether you’re new to creative therapies or curious about how it fits with approaches like ACT or even EMDR, here’s a grounded introduction.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative processes—like drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture—to support emotional expression and healing. You don’t need to be “good at art”—it’s not about the finished product but what shows up along the way.
From a neuroscience perspective, art-making engages both hemispheres of the brain and helps regulate the nervous system. It supports integration of sensory and emotional material—especially helpful when words are hard to find or when experiences are stored in the body (as they often are with trauma).
Art therapy can support:
Emotional regulation
Self-understanding and reflection
Increased sense of control and safety
Reconnection to values and identity
Building coping skills and resilience
At Soar Art Therapy, I often integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with art-making to help clients regulate emotions, notice unhelpful thought patterns, and gently move toward their values with compassion.
When Did Art Therapy Begin?
While people have been using art for healing for centuries, art therapy became a recognised profession to support mental health in the mid-20th century . Pioneers like Margaret Naumburg and Edith Kramer laid the groundwork in the U.S. and U.K., developing approaches that blended psychoanalysis, education, and studio art practice.
Art therapy in Australia is now well-established, with professional standards governed by ANZACATA (our peak body), and rigorous training required at the master’s level.
Where Is Art Therapy Used?
Art therapy can be offered in many settings:
Private practice (like mine in Balaclava or via telehealth)
Schools and early childhood centres
Mental health services
Disability support (including through NDIS)
Hospitals, aged care, palliative care
Correctional settings
Community outreach and refugee support
I currently provide sessions in my studio, online, and through outreach programs in schools and community spaces—tailoring the setting to meet the needs of each person or family.
Who Does Art Therapy Help?
Art therapy is for everyone—from children to older adults. At Soar Art Therapy, I often work with:
Neurodivergent individuals (ASD, ADHD)
Children with anxiety, situational mutism, or low self-esteem
Adults and children with symptoms of trauma (PTSD)
Because art bypasses the pressure to “talk about it,” it can be especially helpful for clients who find verbal therapy overwhelming or inaccessible.
Why Art Therapy Works
Art therapy combines the science of psychotherapy with the expressive power of creativity. It works on multiple levels:
Somatic: regulates the body and nervous system (helps with shutdown, freeze, or hyperarousal)
Emotional: Gives form and distance to hard-to-express feelings
Cognitive: Supports meaning-making and re-authoring narratives
Relational: Builds trust in the therapeutic relationship through metaphor and shared creativity
It’s especially effective for trauma and anxiety because it provides safe, non-verbal ways to access and process what’s often held outside of language.
Can Art Therapy Help With Anxiety and Trauma?
Absolutely—and the research supports this.
A 2020 meta-analysis found that art therapy significantly reduced symptoms of trauma, PTSD, and anxiety, especially in children and adolescents (Haeyen et al., 2020).
At Soar Art Therapy, I use ACT-based art therapy to help clients:
Learn grounding and mindfulness skills through creative techniques
Explore the relationship with their thoughts, emotions, and body
Reconnect with what matters to them, despite fear or pain
Trauma-informed care is at the heart of my approach. The creative process supports neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new, healing pathways.
Is Art Therapy Like EMDR?
Art therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) both aim to process traumatic material and support integration—but they do it differently.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess distressing memories.
Art therapy offers visual and sensory ways to express, contain, and work with memory, often in metaphor or symbolic form.
Interestingly, art-making can include bilateral movement (like using both hands or sweeping brushstrokes), which may offer a similar soothing effect for the nervous system.
How Do You Become an Art Therapist?
To become a registered Art Therapist in Australia, you need to complete a Master’s degree approved by ANZACATA. This includes:
Advanced theoretical training (trauma, development, psychotherapy)
Extensive clinical placement
Personal therapy and professional supervision
I completed the Art Therapy masters in the U.K. and continued training in trauma, synergetic play therapy and acceptance commitment therapy in Australia. Art therapy is a deeply specialised field—and it’s important to make sure your therapist is registered and has the right training.
Note: There are many courses/diploma's calling themselves “art therapy” that do not meet clinical standards. A short course may be useful for general wellbeing facilitation—but not for treating mental health issues.
Can Art Therapy Be Done Online?
Yes! Online art therapy is an effective and accessible option for many people. At Soar Art Therapy, I offer secure online art therapy sessions that integrate:
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Art-based mindfulness and grounding tools
Trauma-informed psychoeducation
A strong therapeutic relationship—yes, even over zoom!
Clients often say they feel surprised by how deeply they connect through online sessions. With the right guidance, you can access powerful support right from your home.
Final Thoughts
Art therapy is more than just “making art”—it’s about gently tending to your inner world through creativity, connection, and evidence-based care. Whether you’re feeling stuck, anxious, overwhelmed, or simply curious, art therapy can offer a soft place to land and grow.
If you or someone you love would like to learn more, please contact us or book a free 15-minute consult. Let’s explore what’s possible—together.
Vicki Soar
Registered Art Psychotherapist
Founder of Soar Art Therapy
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