What Does Research Say About Art Therapy

Quick answer: Research supports three key findings on art therapy: it can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety through the process of art-making; it helps people reconnect with themselves and express what words can’t reach; and it shows effectiveness across a range of populations. At Heartfelt Support, art therapy sessions run at the Morphett Vale Art and Music Centre and can be funded through Capacity Building in an NDIS plan.

Heartfelt Support has offered art therapy at our Morphett Vale Art and Music Centre since 2022. Art therapy uses artistic expression and creativity as a means of communication, self-exploration, and emotional processing. The question we get most often is simple: does it actually work?

The short answer is yes — and there’s a meaningful body of research to back it up. Here are three key findings from the literature.

1. Art therapy can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety

A widely cited study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found that art therapy reduced symptoms of depression in adults with major depressive disorder. The study documented measurable improvements in mood and emotional regulation through regular art-making as a therapeutic process — not just as a creative activity, but as a structured clinical intervention.

A separate study published in the Journal of Child Neurology found that art therapy was effective in reducing anxiety in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The creative process offered a structured outlet for energy and emotion in a way that other interventions often couldn’t match.

2. Art therapy increases self-awareness and self-esteem

Creating art provides a nonverbal channel for expressing emotions and thoughts that can be difficult to put into words. This can lead to genuine gains in self-awareness — a better understanding of one’s own feelings, behaviours, and reactions. For people who find verbal communication challenging, or who have struggled to articulate their inner experience, this can be significant.

The act of making something also builds self-esteem in a concrete way. Seeing the progress you’ve made, developing a skill over time, and producing something meaningful builds confidence. This isn’t incidental to the therapy — it’s part of how it works. A person who has felt powerless or incapable in other areas of life often finds that the studio is one place where agency and skill are clearly visible.

3. Art therapy works well alongside other forms of support

Art therapy doesn’t need to be a standalone intervention to be valuable. It can function as an addition to conventional therapies — such as cognitive-behavioural therapy or psychosocial recovery coaching — or alongside other creative modalities like equine therapy or music programs. Research consistently shows that combining therapeutic approaches can lead to better outcomes, and art therapy integrates readily with other support structures.

For participants who engage in multiple types of support through Heartfelt Support, art therapy can provide a different processing channel from more verbal or movement-based activities. The combination often addresses aspects of a person’s needs that a single modality wouldn’t reach alone.

What this means in practice

The research points to art therapy being most effective when delivered consistently, in a safe and non-judgmental environment, with a trained art therapist guiding the process. Artistic skill is not required — the therapeutic benefit comes from the process of creating and reflecting, not from the quality of the output.

If you’re interested in trying art therapy at Heartfelt Support, or would like to know whether it might suit your situation, you’re welcome to get in touch. You can also submit a self-referral and we’ll follow up with you directly.