Art Therapy – Where Did It Come From? -

Art therapy has a longer history than most people realise. The use of creative expression as a therapeutic tool predates its formal recognition as a clinical discipline by well over a century. Here’s how the field developed from early beginnings to the evidence-based practice it is today.

Early beginnings: Carl Jung and Adrian Hill

The Austrian psychiatrist Carl Jung is widely credited with shaping the theoretical foundation of art therapy. Jung believed that the creative process could be used as a means of exploring the unconscious mind, and frequently incorporated art and other creative modalities into his clinical work. His theories on the therapeutic value of creativity had a lasting influence on the field that followed.

Another significant early figure is the British artist Adrian Hill, who began using art as a therapeutic tool in the 1930s while recovering from tuberculosis. Hill discovered that creating art helped him express his feelings and manage his illness, and he extended the practice to other patients at the same sanatorium. This is widely regarded as the first intentional application of art as therapy in a clinical setting.

1940s: Formalisation of the profession

The work of Margaret Naumburg and Edith Kramer helped establish art therapy as a recognised discipline in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s. Naumburg — influenced by Jung’s theories — developed an approach she called “dynamic symbolism,” which emphasised the symbolic meaning of artwork produced by patients. Kramer, a painter and art therapist, used her creative background to help patients express emotions and work through psychological difficulties. Both were pioneers in bringing the field into institutional recognition.

The first art therapy graduate program was established at the University of Wisconsin in 1945. The same decade saw art therapy used to support World War II veterans returning with trauma — the same context in which music therapy also formalised as a profession.

1960s and 1970s: Expansion and professionalisation

The American Art Therapy Association was established in 1969, and the profession gained formal recognition across Europe and Asia through the following decades. Art therapists expanded their scope of work to include children, older adults, and people with developmental disability, and the evidence base for clinical outcomes began to develop in earnest. Art therapy became part of the standard offering in hospitals, schools, psychiatric facilities, and rehabilitation settings.

Art therapy today

Art therapy is now a recognised clinical profession used across hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres, community organisations, and private practice. It has demonstrated effectiveness for anxiety, depression, trauma, and a range of mental health conditions. Research in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders has highlighted its particular benefits for emotional expression and cognitive development in children with ASD.

Art therapy has attracted some well-known participants. Singer-songwriter Demi Lovato has spoken openly about using art therapy as a way to manage her mental health. Prince Harry has described how art therapy helped him process the trauma of his mother’s death. While these cases are notable, the clinical benefit of art therapy extends well beyond high-profile examples — it is an everyday tool used by thousands of practitioners worldwide.

The techniques used have expanded well beyond drawing and painting to include sculpture, digital art, collage, and mixed media. The evidence base continues to grow.

Art therapy at Heartfelt Support

Heartfelt Support has offered art therapy since 2022. Our art therapist works with NDIS participants across a range of goals, including emotional regulation, self-expression, communication, and personal development. If you’d like to learn more or discuss whether art therapy might be the right fit for you, visit our art and music page or get in touch.