art therapy
noun
: therapy based on engagement in artistic activities (such as painting or drawing) as a means of creative expression and symbolic communication especially in individuals affected with a mental or emotional disorder or cognitive impairment
She's also used art therapy while working with autistic and special-needs children and patients recovering from strokes.—
Cheryl Powell
Cheryl PowellIn art therapy, patients express their feelings not just through discussion, but through drawing, painting and sculpting. That's why this type of therapy is thought to be especially helpful for people who have difficulty articulating feelings—including children and those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, strokes and post-traumatic stress disorder.—Jenny Hontz
Jenny Hontz
art therapist
noun
plural art therapists
Although she works toward the same goals as the psychologist or psychiatrist, as an art therapist her technique is decidedly different.
—Sharon L. Bass
Sharon L. Bass
Examples of art therapy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The company, founded by Jovana Mullins, pays the artists and 10 percent goes back to their art therapy program.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025
Fast forward to today: Williams decided to leave art therapy and created The Pink Retreat.
—Náosha Gregg, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The facility will also offer health care, workforce opportunities, art therapy and recreational activities.
—Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
Likewise, some workshops billed as art therapy are not necessarily art therapy either.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for art therapy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025
Fast forward to today: Williams decided to leave art therapy and created The Pink Retreat.
—Náosha Gregg, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The facility will also offer health care, workforce opportunities, art therapy and recreational activities.
—Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
Likewise, some workshops billed as art therapy are not necessarily art therapy either.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for art therapy
Cite this Entry
“Art therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/art%20therapy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
art therapy
noun
: therapy based on engagement in artistic activities (as painting or drawing) as a means of creative expression and symbolic communication especially in individuals affected with a mental or emotional disorder or cognitive impairment
In art therapy, patients express their feelings not just through discussion, but through drawing, painting and sculpting. That's why this type of therapy is thought to be especially helpful for people who have difficulty articulating feelings—including children and those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, strokes and post-traumatic stress disorder.—Jenny Hontz, The Los Angeles Times
Jenny Hontz, The Los Angeles Times
art therapist
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share