Art
Therapy

Art therapy in Chicago for adults seeking creative, evidence-based mental health support. Art therapy helps with anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, and emotional regulation by combining therapeutic guidance with creative expression.

Art Therapy Snapshot

  • Who it’s for: Adults, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, creatives, and those who struggle to express emotions verbally

  • Common concerns treated: Anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, depression, stress, identity exploration, emotional overwhelm

  • Modalities used: Art Therapy, trauma-informed therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, relational therapy

  • Session format: Individual therapy sessions

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois

  • Telehealth: Available for select services

  • Insurance: Accepted plans vary

 

Take A Unique Approach

Art therapy can take form in a variety of mediums to helpt treat a variety of mental illness situations. These mediums include drawing, painting, coloring or sculpting, to name a few and these approaches can be used to treat issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and even some phobias.

What is Art Therapy?

Combined with talk therapy, it can help people deal with strong emotions, increase self-awareness and self-worth and decrease stress and anxiety. This is because art therapy demands you to go deeper, expressing your inner states outwardly without using words. This can be challenging. But therapy that isn’t challenging, isn’t therapy.

“The process isn’t an art lesson – it is grounded in the knowledge of human development, psychological theories, and counseling techniques.” – Art Therapies Credentials Board

How Does Art Therapy Help?

Art therapy helps by engaging both the emotional and nervous systems, allowing experiences to be processed in a more integrated way. The creative process can reduce emotional intensity, increase self-compassion, and promote clarity.

Clients often report feeling more grounded, understood, and connected to themselves over time.

Techniques used in art therapy can include:

Collage

Coloring

Doodling and scribbling

Drawing

Finger painting

Painting

Photography

Sculpting

Working with clay

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Evidence and Sources

The American Art Therapy Association recognizes art therapy as an effective mental health treatment.

Research supports art therapy’s benefits for trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and stress reduction.

Creative therapies are shown to support nervous system regulation and emotional processing.

Do I need to be good at art to try art therapy?

No. Art therapy focuses on expression and process, not artistic skill. There is no right or wrong way to create.

Is art therapy evidence-based?

Yes. Research shows art therapy can be effective for trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, and emotional regulation, particularly when combined with other therapeutic approaches.

Can art therapy be combined with talk therapy?

Absolutely. Art therapy is often integrated with traditional psychotherapy to deepen insight and emotional processing.

Is art therapy available via telehealth?

Some art therapy services may be offered virtually using accessible materials at home. Availability depends on clinical needs.