A Caregiver Thought Art Therapy Was Just Arts & Crafts

Got a phone call from a person seeking help for his daughter. He said he was advised by X to try art therapy. I started to explain what an art therapy session involves – how I work, what we do, and how I tailor each session to the client’s unique needs.

Before I could finish, he interrupted:

 "No, no – we just want a group session. It’s just arts. We want her to open up in a group." When I said I don't do groups – he hung up. This is not the first time I’ve had this experience, and it reveals a major misconception about what I do.

Art therapy is not an art class. It’s not “just painting to make someone open up.”

 Art therapy is a clinical, psychotherapeutic process facilitated by a trained professional. It uses creative expression as a bridge to emotional exploration, healing, and growth. It’s deeply individual – what works for one person may not work for another.

Here’s why “just doing art in a group” is not the same as art therapy:

Each client is different. For some, groups can feel supportive; for others, they can feel unsafe or overwhelming. Therapy considers this, not assumes it.

It’s intentional, not random. Every activity in art therapy is chosen with a therapeutic goal – self-regulation, processing trauma, developing insight – not simply to “keep busy.” It’s guided safely. Art can surface powerful, sometimes painful emotions. A trained therapist ensures these are contained and processed, not left raw and unaddressed.

Myths I often hear:

“It’s just arts and crafts.” – No, it’s a mental health service grounded in psychology and neuroscience.

“Anyone can run it.” – No, it requires clinical training to ensure safety and effectiveness.

“We’ll just have them paint, and they’ll heal.” – Unstructured art might soothe temporarily but doesn’t resolve deeper issues.

“Therapy only works in groups.” – Group therapy can be powerful – but only when it matches the client’s readiness and needs.

When people hang up because they only want what fits their idea, it reinforces why education is essential. Art therapy isn’t a quick fix or a creative pastime. It’s about meeting clients where they are, not where others think they should be – and providing them with a safe, professional space to heal.