Benefits of Art Therapy for Anxiety

Art therapy helps facilitate cognitive disruption by moving attention away from rumination. This redirection of attention away from worrying then helps to regulate the nervous system.

Art therapy allows us to express ourselves visually and rely less on verbal expression. Verbal expression can be a difficult task if a client is catastrophising. The feelings of being overwhelmed can make verbal expression difficult which then negatively impacts the clients perception of self-managing feelings and thoughts.

Art Therapy can benefit clients by initially diffusing a stressful environment in the therapy setting. Techniques will help the client feel calm and able to focus on the task at hand. Once this anxiety is defused, the client is then more open to process thoughts, emotions and assess behavior.

Art therapy can also assist anxiety by improving self esteem, resolving problems, expressing feelings, problem solving and goal setting which aids in working towards improved thinking patterns.

Below is a summary of some of the benefits of art therapy for helping with anxiety:

Calms the nervous system

Acts as a distraction

Interrupts rumination

Encourages focus on one thing

Increases self-esteem from the act of creating something

Reduces over-stimulation from external sources

Provides tactile stimulation

Venting, releasing stress

Useful when verbal expression is limited

Encourages “play”

Art activities can be undertaken outside of therapy when situations arise