Art Therapy

for feelings you cannot speak

Many of us struggle to express complicated emotions, art therapy offers a unique way to communicate, heal, and reconnect with ourselves. At Mind Trek Counseling, we believe healing isn’t one-size-fits-all—some people express themselves best through talking, and others through movement, imagery, or creativity. Art therapy gives clients a powerful non-verbal channel to explore their inner world while feeling safe, grounded, and supported.

Whether you’re managing ADHD, trauma, anxiety, relationship stress, or major life transitions, art therapy can help you understand your story in a deeper, more embodied way.

What Is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a mental-health treatment approach that uses creative processes—such as drawing, painting, collage, sculpting, or digital art—to help people express feelings, build insight, and develop emotional regulation skills.

It is facilitated by a licensed mental-health professional trained in both clinical therapy and the therapeutic use of art materials.

Art therapy is not about being “good at art.” It’s about expression, exploration, and making meaning—not creating a perfect piece of artwork.

How Does Art Therapy Work? The Neuroscience Behind It

Art therapy works because:

  • It bypasses the overthinking brain

    • Creative expression moves us out of the verbal, analytical parts of the brain (like the prefrontal cortex) and taps into deeper emotional centers (like the amygdala and hippocampus). This helps people explore emotions that are hard to talk about.

  • It helps integrate trauma

    • For trauma survivors, the nervous system often stores memories in images, sensations, and non-verbal fragments. Art-making helps bring these pieces into conscious awareness safely and gently.

  • It supports emotional regulation

    • Slow, rhythmic creative activities engage the parasympathetic nervous system—the part of the brain that calms the body—making art therapy effective for anxiety, stress, and ADHD.

  • It enhances focus and executive functioning

    • Creating art activates the brain’s attentional networks, helping clients practice planning, sequencing, and sustained attention in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.

What Issues Can Art Therapy Help With?

Art therapy is suitable for children, teens, and adults, and is often especially helpful for people who struggle to express themselves verbally.

It can support individuals experiencing:

  • ADHD (especially emotional dysregulation and executive functioning challenges)

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Depression

  • Grief and loss

  • Relationship or family conflict

  • Chronic stress and burnout

  • Identity exploration

  • Behavioral or emotional challenges in children and teens

Art therapy can also be used alongside traditional talk therapy, CBT, DBT, or mindfulness-based interventions.

What Does a Typical Art Therapy Session Look Like?

A session may include:

  • A grounding conversation

    • Clients and therapist check in about how the week has been—emotionally, physically, and mentally.

  • A creative activity

    • This may involve drawing, painting, working with clay, collage, or exploring colors, textures, and shapes. The activity is tailored to the client’s needs, goals, and comfort level.

  • Reflection and meaning-making

    • The therapist helps the client talk about what they created, what emotions came up, and how this connects to patterns in their life. The artwork becomes a safe symbol to explore deeper themes.

  • Skills practice

    • Sessions may include emotional regulation techniques, mindfulness, grounding, or other tools to support long-term growth.

*No artistic experience is ever required—only curiosity and openness.

Our Trained Art Therapist