Art therapy is a powerful form of therapy that uses creative expression to support emotional healing, personal growth, and self-understanding. When words are difficult to find, images can communicate what lies beneath the surface.

What Is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is based on the idea that creativity is a natural human ability. For centuries, people have used art to express emotions, process life experiences, and restore inner balance. Drawing, painting, sculpting, and other artistic practices allow thoughts and feelings to emerge safely and intuitively.

As a formal therapeutic approach, art therapy developed in the 1930s, when mental health professionals began studying how artwork reflected emotional and psychological states. Over time, research and clinical practice refined these methods, leading to the field now known as expressive arts therapy.

How Art Therapy Works

Art therapy focuses on the process of creation rather than artistic skill. You do not need any previous experience with art. The images you create act as a bridge between your inner world and conscious awareness, helping you explore emotions, reduce stress, and gain insight.

Art therapy can support:

• Emotional expression and regulation

• Stress and anxiety relief

• Personal development and self-discovery

• Trauma processing

• Increased self-awareness and confidence

Art Therapy Beyond Clinical Settings

Today, art therapy is widely used not only in healthcare settings, but also in education, social work, community programs, and personal growth spaces. At Libélula Ateliers, art therapy is offered as a gentle, creative journey that supports healing, reflection, and transformation.

A Journey Through Images

At its heart, art therapy is a journey through images. It offers a safe and supportive space to explore your inner world creatively, at your own pace. Through art, new perspectives can emerge—especially when words alone are not enough.