Art Therapy involves an individual using art as a way of expressing their subconscious thoughts and emotions.  The art can take the form of sculpture, drawing or painting and utilises any artistic material.  Art can display repressed feelings and conflicts and by analysing the image, and the process involved with creating it, an Art therapist can help individuals understand the cause of their problem and help make changes to their way of thinking or behaviour.

Clients who are referred to an art therapist need not have previous experience or skill in art, the art therapist is not primarily concerned with making an aesthetic or diagnostic assessment of the client's image. The overall aim of its practitioners is to enable a client to effect change and growth on a personal level through the use of art materials in a safe and facilitating environment.

Art therapy encourages free expression in the way you construct your image as well as the finished article.  It is useful for exploring & healing emotional or mental traumas.  It can be used to alleviate specific symptoms or as a relaxant. 

Debate on the origins of Art Therapy is ongoing as therapeutic art and visual expression have been used by mankind for thousands of years. As a profession, Art Therapy is a strand of psychotherapy and as such draws on the late 19th century work of Sigmund Freud. Freud's 'psychoanalysis' involved association, interpretation of dreams and transference to treat patients with mental disorders.

Art Therapy today utilises Freud's methods and other psychotherapy techniques. One of the pioneers of Art Therapy was American teacher and psychotherapist Margaret Naumburg. In the early 20th century, Naumburg founded a school in New York where she used art to allow children to express themselves. Using psychoanalysis, Naumburg was able to view the children's art as symbolic imagery of their subconscious thoughts and feelings.

The term 'Art Therapy' was coined by British artist Adrian Hill in 1942. Hill was being treated for tuberculosis and believed his emotional recovery was down to artistic expression. Hill encouraged other patients to paint and noted how their anxiety and trauma was expressed within their art

A theory behind Art Therapy is that a person's creativity and ability to heal come from the same place.  Art Therapy triggers the two processes and provides a communication medium that can help with overcoming emotional conflict.  Art Therapy can also provide a way of coping with stress, manage behaviour or help build better personal relationships. Art therapy is also used as a positive step toward increasing self-esteem and improving quality of life.

As a psychotherapy method, Art Therapy benefits those people who find it difficult to express themselves verbally and actually provides a 'talking point' for the therapist and client from the image created.