What to Expect in an Art Therapy Session
Often, when speaking with clients for the first time, they have great questions. One of the most common questions I receive is, “what happens in art therapy sessions?”. In this post, I’ll cover this question and provide additional information so you can know what to expect in an art therapy session.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes the creative process to promote self-expression and insight through the use of various materials and modalities. Creating in therapy often brings us closer to our unconscious process, resulting in more self-awareness, identification/expansion of our strengths, understanding of our needs and patterns, and often, improvement of our self-regulatory capacity and relationships.
In my career as an art therapist for the past decade, I’ve met people of all ages who have come to art therapy sessions for a variety of reasons. While everyone has a unique experience in therapy and every art therapist is different, there are certain foundational aspects of art therapy that remain consistent.
First Art Therapy Session(s)
The first art therapy session is for the client and therapist to meet, get to know one another, and talk about what’s been happening in the client’s life. Clients will share information on what’s bringing them or their child to therapy and details about their history and background. This allows us to establish shared goals for therapy and discuss a plan for treatment. Art therapists will share more about their approach and practice policies, and answer any questions. The first session sets the foundation for what therapy together will look and feel like.
“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.”
An important aspect of successful therapy is having a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship. In my approach, my focus for the first few sessions is centered around making sure we’re the best possible fit to work together. Sometimes, this involves allowing our inner wisdom to speak: we know when we have a sense of safety, the potential for trust, and a baseline level of connection. I’m also assessing this; I might suggest another therapist if I’m not best suited to treat a specific issue or concern.
The Process
There tends to be a natural rhythm in many art therapy sessions - an opening, creative self-expression, a processing component, and closing- though no two sessions will look exactly the same. An opening ritual might be giving a feeling word, deep breathing, or engaging in a brief body scan. The creative process, no matter what materials/modalities are utilized, is focused on the process of making - not the product - and may be open-ended (client chooses) or directive (I suggest).
Processing is setting aside some post-creative time for us to discuss the process - such as any feelings or sensations that came up while creating, for example - not the product. Closing rituals may be the act of cleaning up the space, summarizing what happened in the session, or reflecting on a moment or a particular highlight or challenge.
Art therapists use a combination of talk therapy and the creative process. Some clients may prefer to talk most of the time; other clients might create at home, and bring their art to sessions; some clients rarely make art. For many clients, making art during therapy feels helpful with talking; especially for individuals who are processing experiences that are difficult to put into words, creating can instill a sense of calm and decrease anxiety.
“Creativity takes courage”
Art and play are natural means of communication for children, so their interactions with materials are often without reservation and rich in symbolic and metaphoric meaning. Teens also gravitate toward the creative process as they begin to form distinct identities, ask important questions about the world, and experiment with different forms of self-expression.
I’ve worked with many adults who don’t identify as “artists”, but who live and think in deeply creative ways. Many of my clients are visual learners, who enjoy processing the world through their vivid senses, have strong dreams, or have exceptionally vibrant and active imaginations. Some have creative hobbies or desire them, may journal or write, or are deeply appreciative of film, poetry, fine art, music, etc. They know and trust the healing power of art.
My Approach
I practice from an “open studio” approach, which means that I encourage my clients to select any materials/modalities that they are drawn to when they come in. There are circumstances where I may offer a suggestion for a specific prompt or project.
There are art materials around my art table - oil pastels, colored pencils, pens, dual-sided markers - and more throughout the office. I have one cabinet that locks where clients can safely store their art between sessions if desired. Art materials and modalities in therapy allow for a multi-sensory and embodied approach to therapy that promotes integration.
I often integrate play into my work with children; using imagination, drama, and role play. I have various toys and games in my office that also allow me to observe how my young clients utilize boundaries, social skills, and coping. I completed post-graduate training in modern psychoanalysis, which deepened my understanding and appreciation for nonverbal and symbolic communication. Every year, I attend workshops and training that enrich my knowledge, challenge my current understanding, and continuously develop my skill set.
“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.”
Certain art directives can provide information on cognitive, psychological, emotional, and social/relational functioning at the moment of creation. Aside from structured evaluations, art therapists are trained to understand different markers and elements in art that may suggest conditions such as psychosis, depression, or anxiety or experiences such as trauma, abuse, or neglect.
I typically work with clients for several months or years. I draw upon a variety of theoretical approaches (object relations, humanistic, attachment, gestalt, etc.) and view the therapeutic relationship as the most important conduit for change and growth. People also progress at different rates in therapy, and slow progress is not indicative of a flaw, an indicator of poor therapy or client work, or any other negative connotation. Compassion is key in making progress - putting pressure to change or meet certain goals in a certain timeline will not evoke change - we have to allow space and time for ourselves and our children.
Our Relationship
I typically meet with clients weekly for 50-minute sessions. At different intervals over time, we’ll review progress and goals. Throughout therapy, we’ll check in about how it’s feeling and going. I want clients to feel empowered to share their preferences and needs as we go.
Therapy requires a commitment to our time together, as consistency in therapy builds trust and safety as well as allows for steady work to be done. Of course, I take breaks and vacations and encourage my clients to do the same. For young clients in school, summer often invites a more flexible schedule or a revisiting of therapy in the fall. Some clients come to therapy for a few months and come back on an as-needed basis. Therapy is flexible to different needs and lifestyles.
“Art isn’t always about pretty things. It’s about who we are, what happened to us, and how our lives are affected.”
Art therapists are continuously assessing progress, so this is a conversation that is always ongoing. Sometimes, the presenting issue that brings someone to therapy isn’t the issue that ends up being the most important. This is positive! It shows that the therapy is going where it needs to go.
A Note on Progress: Sometimes, we may think we’re going one way in therapy, and we end up in unexpected territory. It’s not usually possible that we know where we’ll end up. A lot of the process is based on trust and intuition; you’re never going the wrong way, and you’ll likely end up in a different place than you expect. This is often what making progress and being in the moment of therapy looks like.
Outcomes & Effectiveness
There is an abundance of qualitative and quantitative research on the effectiveness of art therapy. Check out this TED Talk about how art therapy treats trauma, specifically PTSD. This interview addresses common myths and provides context to what art therapy is and isn’t, and provides some examples of making art in a therapy session. This article covers why art therapy is good for your brain; art therapy and clinical neuroscience give us insight into just how healing and transformative artmaking is.
“Art tells the truth.”
Art accesses different parts of our brain than talking does. Creating connects us to our felt sense of experiences. Through the externalization of our feelings, we often gain insight, awareness, and control. This makes art therapy an innovative and deeply healing form of therapy; our entire nervous system is involved in the process. We’re experiencing integration on multiple levels - neurologically, emotionally, physically, etc. - as we move toward our goals.
