What is Art Therapy?
Art (or Arts) Therapists are allied health professionals who use various art forms, media, and processes, including visual arts, drama, dance, and movement to help clients explore emotions, enhance self-awareness, and alleviate anxiety. They don’t offer an art class or lesson, they work with an individual or a small group to address emotional, psychological, social, and cognitive challenges. Why not have a look at our 1-minute video which explains Art Therapy.
‘We’ve tried lots of different people – psychologists, equine therapists, counsellors – but it was once we started art therapy that we saw a difference [in our child]’
How does it help?
Arts Therapists use creative processes to help people explore and express emotions that can be difficult to put into words. These methods are innovative, participatory and practical: they provide a supportive space for participants to 'try on' and practise new behaviours, and this can be more effective than merely talking about change, especially for younger people. ANZACATA members are specialists in working with those who are non-verbal, neurodiverse, and experiencing learning difficulties, to support emotional regulation and behavioural management.
Arts Therapists integrate their knowledge of arts and psychotherapy to facilitate healing and growth, using art materials and techniques alongside psychological principles. Arts Therapy is an evidence-based, neuroscience-informed practice that delivers measurable therapeutic outcomes. These outcomes are achieved through carefully designed interventions tailored to clients’ individual needs and plans. Progress is measured through improvements in dexterity, gross and fine motor skills, task completion times, behaviour change, improved communication, emotional regulation and caregiver feedback.
‘With my art therapist’s help I have found some of my favourite ways for combating big emotions such as sensory overwhelm, not feeling good enough, stress, and [it has] aided me to feel a sense of stability and peace’
Use only ANZACATA registered members
ANZACATA (Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association) is the regulatory body for all qualified Art Therapists. We approve university courses, accept approved graduates and monitor their professional work.
In addition to their rigorous academic and clinical training, ANZACATA-approved Arts Therapists must engage in ongoing professional development and clinical supervision to ensure their practice remains current, evidence-based, ethical, and effective. To ensure an Art Therapist is highly professional, appropriately qualified and conducts themselves ethically, only ever choose an ANZACATA registered member. You can find a listing of them here.
Feel free to email us at ceo@anzacata.org to find out how Art Therapy might help in your school.
