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