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
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
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

Examples of art therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Many people who are in art therapy programs have lived through major traumas. Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 And the psychiatric care that Ms. López and others received helped to establish art therapy as an effective treatment for child survivors of mass tragedies. Christopher Maag, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for art therapy

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of art therapy was in 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Art therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/art%20therapy. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Medical 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
art therapist noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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