Providing accessible Art Therapy Services and wellness practices in Southeastern Wisconsin.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a therapeutic process that can benefit everyone. It employs a variety of creative methods, including drawing, painting, collage, coloring, and sculpting, to encourage individuals to express themselves artistically. It provides a unique opportunity to explore the psychological and emotional layers within one's artwork. Under the skilled guidance of a certified art therapist, clients can uncover the nonverbal messages, symbols, and metaphors embedded in their artistic creations. This process fosters a deeper comprehension of their emotions and behaviors, paving the way for addressing underlying issues and facilitating personal growth.
Art therapists are clinicians with master’s-level or higher degrees trained in art and therapy that serve diverse communities in different settings—from medical institutions and wellness centers, to schools and independent practices. Guided by ethical standards and scope of practice, their education and supervised training prepares them for culturally proficient work with diverse populations in a variety of settings. They are credentialed mental health care professionals who care deeply about the communities they support, helping to advance people’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Art therapists are clinicians with master’s-level or higher degrees trained in art and therapy that serve diverse communities in different settings—from medical institutions and wellness centers, to schools and independent practices. Guided by ethical standards and scope of practice, their education and supervised training prepares them for culturally proficient work with diverse populations in a variety of settings. They are credentialed mental health care professionals who care deeply about the communities they support, helping to advance people’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Whether you're a seasoned artist or someone who has never picked up a paintbrush, art therapy is accessible and beneficial for everyone.
When Should I seek Services?Individuals seek out services for a number of reasons, and may come back to their work at different times of their lives.
You might turn to art therapy when you feel the need for change, find yourself stuck or stagnant, experiencing emotional imbalances (such as anger, sadness, or uncertainty), or grappling with past experiences affecting your present. Moreover, art therapy can be a proactive choice for prevention, helping individuals build resilience, develop coping skills, and maintain emotional well-being, enhancing their overall quality of life. |
Do I need to Know how to make art?Absolutely not! Art therapy is not about creating masterpieces or demonstrating artistic talent; it's about using the creative process as a tool for self-expression, exploration, and healing. The focus is on your emotional and psychological well-being, and the artwork itself is a means of communication and self-discovery rather than a measure of artistic ability.
Many individuals who engage in art therapy start with little to no experience with art making. Your Art Therapist will guide you and support you throughout the process. |
What are the Benefits?There are many benefits in engaging with Art Therapy Services including:
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Notable Artists Who Used Art as Therapy
Frida Kahlo
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Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) was a Mexican artist best known for her deeply personal self-portraits. After suffering a serious bus accident at age 18, Kahlo experienced lifelong physical pain, numerous surgeries, and significant emotional challenges. During her recovery, she began painting more intensively, using art as a way to explore and express her experiences with pain, identity, relationships, loss, and resilience. While Kahlo did not practice formal art therapy, her creative process functioned as an important form of self-expression and meaning-making. Her work demonstrates how art can provide a visual language for experiences that may be difficult to communicate through words.
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Vincent Van Gogh
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Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was a Dutch post-Impressionist artist whose work is recognized for its expressive brushwork, vivid colors, and emotional intensity. Throughout his life, van Gogh experienced significant emotional distress and periods of mental health difficulty. Although he did not participate in formal art therapy, painting and drawing were important outlets through which he expressed his emotions, connected with nature, and found purpose and structure. His artwork demonstrates how creative expression can provide a way to process difficult experiences, communicate emotions, and create meaning during times of distress. |
Edvard Munch
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Yayoi Kusama
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Yayoi Kusama (born 1929) is a Japanese contemporary artist known for her immersive installations, repetitive patterns, polka dots, and Infinity Mirror Rooms. Kusama has spoken openly about experiencing hallucinations and psychological distress throughout her life and describes art-making as an important way of coping with these experiences. She has used repetition, pattern, and immersive environments to transform distressing internal experiences into visual art. Although she did not practice formal art therapy, Kusama's story illustrates how creative expression can provide a sense of control, structure, and meaning while helping individuals externalize experiences that may be difficult to communicate through words. |
Supporting Art Therapy House Inc.
Your financial support directly fuels our mission, allowing us to offer art therapy programs, expand our outreach efforts, and create a brighter, more inclusive future. To make a monetary donation, you can click on the 'donate" button or check out the "Get Involved" tab for more ways to support Art Therapy House Inc.