Do I Have to Make Art in Art Therapy?
(Short answer: Nope. Long answer: Still nope - but you totally can.)
Let’s get this out of the way first:You do not have to be “good at art” to do art therapy. You don’t need to own paintbrushes, know what mixed media means, or have survived the Great Glue Gun Meltdown of 2004.
In fact, you don’t even have to make art at all if you don’t want to.
Art therapy is not about creating something “pretty” or “correct.” It’s about expression, exploration, and giving form to things that are hard to put into words. So if your nervous system twitches at the idea of drawing feelings, take a deep breath: you’re in the right place.
So, What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative processes - like drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, or even writing and movement -as tools for emotional expression and self-discovery.
It’s not about the end product. It’s about what emerges in the process.
Sometimes, we make art.
Sometimes, we talk.
Sometimes, we make art and talk about it.
Sometimes, we don’t touch a single marker, and that’s okay too.
It’s all therapy. It all counts.
When We Might Not Use Art
There are lots of reasons a session might not involve any art at all:
You’re feeling overwhelmed and just need to talk
You’re in the early stages of building trust and safety
The topic doesn’t feel “art-y” to you that day
You don’t want to (honestly, that one’s enough)
Some of my clients only use art occasionally - when words feel stuck or when they want to reflect on something deeper. Others use it weekly. Others not at all. The choice is always yours.
What If I Do Want to Try It… but I’m Scared?
Totally normal. So many people carry art shame - comments from a teacher, a parent, or even just the inner critic that says “This looks dumb.”
But here’s the truth: your art doesn’t need to make sense to anyone but you.
In my office (or virtual space), art is used as a language, not a test. You could scribble with crayons, tear paper into shapes, or make a chaotic mess of symbols, and it’s all valid. I’m trained to help you explore what it might mean to you, not to analyze or interpret it without your voice.
Think of it like dreamwork. We follow the symbols and feelings with curiosity, not judgment.
Why Art Therapy Helps
Some things are just hard to say out loud - especially if you’ve experienced trauma, have ADHD, or tend to dissociate from emotions. Art gives those feelings form. It lets us slow down, see patterns, and engage with emotions from a safer distance.
Creative expression can:
Bypass the inner critic
Access deeper insights and memories
Regulate the nervous system (hello, soothing repetitive motion!)
Build confidence, agency, and new perspectives
TLDR
You do not need to make art to be in art therapy.
You can make art if you want to.
Your stick figures are welcome here. Your messy blobs, your chaotic collages, your “I-don’t-know-what-this-is-but-it-feels-important”: it’s all welcome.
Art therapy is about making meaning, not masterpieces.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be an artist to express yourself. You just need a space where you feel safe to try.
In my practice, I always tailor therapy to you: your preferences, your pace, your process. If you’re curious about whether art therapy might be a fit (even if you’ve never picked up a marker since grade school), I’d love to meet you where you are.
Book a free consultation or join the waitlist to learn more. Let’s create a space where your feelings have room to breathe - art or no art.