Which One? Art, Equine, or Music Therapies -

Colorful art studio with paints and brushes

Quick answer: Art therapy, equine therapy, and music therapy each have a growing evidence base but suit different people and goals. Art therapy works well for people who find verbal communication difficult. Equine therapy is particularly effective for emotional regulation and confidence building. Music therapy supports communication, mood, and social connection. At Heartfelt Support, all three are available through a single provider in Southern Adelaide.

For people living with disability, there are therapeutic options beyond traditional clinical settings that can significantly improve quality of life. Art therapy, equine therapy, and music therapy each take a different approach — and each has a growing evidence base behind it.

This article compares all three: what they offer, who they suit best, and what the research shows. At Heartfelt Support, we offer all three.

Art therapy

Art therapy uses the creative process — painting, drawing, sculpting, and other visual media — as a means of self-expression and emotional processing. It’s particularly suited to people who find verbal communication difficult, since it offers an alternative channel for what’s happening internally.

Benefits: enhanced emotional expression and communication, increased self-awareness, stress reduction, and support for emotional and cognitive development.

Considerations: Results can take time to develop. Some people feel pressure about their artistic ability — though art therapy is not about skill; it’s about process.

Well-suited for: people with ASD who find communication challenging; people with PTSD or psychosocial disabilities who benefit from a non-verbal approach to processing experience.

Want to know what to expect? Read about your first art therapy session.

Equine therapy

Equine therapy uses structured interaction with horses to support emotional, physical, and cognitive wellbeing. Working with horses builds trust, develops relationships, and strengthens self-confidence in a way that’s distinct from other therapies — because the horse’s responses are genuine feedback, not guided by a therapist’s agenda.

Benefits: improved social skills and emotional regulation, enhanced self-esteem, better physical coordination and motor skills, and the experience of forming a bond with an animal.

Considerations: Requires access to a properly equipped equine therapy setting. People with a fear of, or allergy to, horses will need to discuss this with the provider before starting.

Well-suited for: people with ASD seeking social interaction and emotional development; people with PTSD or psychosocial disabilities building trust and emotional regulation; anyone who finds that working with animals is more natural than working in clinical settings.

Learn more in our complete guide to equine therapy and the NDIS.

Music therapy

Music therapy uses music-based activities — listening, playing instruments, singing, composing — as clinical interventions to address specific therapeutic goals. It’s facilitated by a credentialed music therapist and is evidence-based, with a solid body of research behind it.

Benefits: improved emotional expression and communication, sensory integration, relaxation and anxiety reduction, mood improvement, and — for children with ASD — notable gains in social communication.

Considerations: The availability of qualified music therapists varies by location. Some people feel self-conscious about musical ability, though this is not a barrier — music therapy is about therapeutic engagement, not performance.

Well-suited for: people with ASD seeking communication and social skills development; people with PTSD, anxiety, or psychosocial disabilities who find music a natural medium for engagement.

Read our comprehensive guide to music therapy for a deeper look.

What the research shows

All three therapies have a growing evidence base. Key studies include:

Art Therapy: A Complementary Treatment for Mental Disorders (Frontiers in Psychology) — reviews the clinical applications of art therapy for ASD and PTSD, including its value in helping people express feelings that are difficult to communicate verbally
Music Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review — examines improvisational music therapy and structured music approaches, with a focus on social communication outcomes in ASD
Effects of Equine Therapy on Individuals with ASD: a Systematic Review — examines equine therapy’s effects on behavioural and social communication skills
Equine Therapy and PTSD in Veterans — found equine therapy effective in treating PTSD, with neuroimaging showing measurable changes in brain activity following sessions

Choosing the right approach

The best therapy is the one that fits the person. For some, the physical and relational nature of equine therapy is the key. For others, the expressive freedom of art or the structural engagement of music is more accessible. Many people work with more than one modality — and all three can sit within an NDIS plan under the right categories.

Heartfelt Support offers equine therapy, art therapy, and social music programs in Southern Adelaide. If you’re trying to work out which direction makes sense, talk to us — we’d rather help you find the right fit than assume one option covers everything.