How I Use Art in Therapy to Support Healing and Self-Discovery
By Mallory Bonarrigo, LPC, Art Therapist
When most people think of therapy, they picture two people talking in a quiet room. And while talk therapy is powerful, sometimes words aren’t enough — or they’re too much. That’s where art comes in.
In my practice, I often integrate art-making into the therapeutic process because it allows my clients to access deeper parts of themselves — parts that may not yet have language, but are asking to be seen and heard.
Why Art?
Art bypasses the logical mind and taps into something deeper: intuition, emotion, memory, and even the body’s wisdom. When someone is feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, creating something visual can provide a pathway toward expression, clarity, and healing.
You do not need to be an artist to benefit from art therapy. In fact, most of the people I work with haven’t picked up art materials since childhood — and that’s kind of the point. The process is about expression, not perfection.
When Words Fall Short
For clients navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, or body image challenges, it can be difficult to articulate what they’re feeling. Some things are too painful, others too complex. Art gives those feelings a form.
In our work together, you might:
Create a visual representation of your anxiety or grief
Collage images that reflect how you see your body — and how you want to
Paint what safety, anger, or freedom feels like
Sculpt tension from your shoulders into something tangible
Use color to track emotional states across a week
It’s about making the invisible visible — so we can explore it together with compassion and curiosity.
The Tools We Use
We might use:
Oil pastels to explore emotions through texture and color
Watercolors for free-flowing expression and nervous system regulation
Clay to externalize pain, pressure, or the need to control
Collage and mixed media for identity work, grief processing, or visioning
I keep the materials simple and accessible. There’s no right or wrong way to create in therapy. Sometimes the art is symbolic, sometimes abstract, sometimes deeply personal. What matters is what it evokes and what it helps you access.
What Clients Say
Many of my clients have shared that art in therapy:
Helped them connect with parts of themselves they didn’t know needed attention
Created a safe way to explore trauma without re-telling it
Made therapy feel more engaging and less intimidating
Helped them rediscover joy, creativity, or self-trust
Surprisingly quieted the mental noise — allowing them to feel calmer and more grounded
Was more relaxing than they expected, offering a gentle break from overthinking
A Final Thought
Art in therapy is not about making something beautiful — it’s about making meaning. Whether we’re processing pain, reconnecting with your body, or uncovering old beliefs, the creative process can be a powerful ally in healing.
If you're curious about working together or trying art therapy for the first time, I’d love to walk with you through the process.
No artistic experience required. Just bring your whole self — we’ll work from there.