Find an Art Therapist

Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on June 24, 2024
Written by the MiResource team

For many people, words aren’t enough. Art therapy offers a powerful, clinically recognized psychotherapy that allows children, teens, and adults to safely explore emotions through creative expression. A skilled art therapist guides clients through the healing process using art as a bridge between internal experiences and emotional healing.

  • Fabian Kuttner, Counselor

    Fabian Kuttner

    Counselor, Certified Trauma Professional, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Psychotherapist

    812 East High Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902

    Fabian Kuttner is a Counselor in Charlottesville, Virginia and has been in practice for 15 years. They treat Physical Stress, Self-Esteem, Personality Disorders.

    Healing, growth and nourishment are oh so very possible! Change is smooth when we can understand our deeper motivations and find more skillful strategies.

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  • Heidi Soto Holgate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA)

    Heidi Soto Holgate

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA)

    3720 Benson Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609

    Heidi Soto Holgate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) in Raleigh, North Carolina. They treat Trauma, Avoidant Personality, Gender Identity.

    As a social worker, my practice is deeply rooted in a commitment to social justice, anti-racism, and cultural humility.

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  • Briana Garcia, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    Briana Garcia

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    Remote only

    Briana Garcia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 5 years. They treat Social Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem.

    I provide resiliency-focused, trauma-informed, and LGBTQI+ affirming individual/group therapy via a Telehealth platform and walk-and-talk therapy!

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  • Rachael Everett, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    Rachael Everett

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    1350 Sunday Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607

    Rachael Everett is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Raleigh, North Carolina and has been in practice for 7 years. They treat Body Image, Relationship(s) with Partner/Husband/Wife, Medication Concerns.

    As your therapist my goal is to empower and support you in handling all life’s challenges through developing adaptive and effective coping skills!

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  • Talk. Heal. Thrive. Psychotherapy, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    Talk. Heal. Thrive. Psychotherapy

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

    Remote only

    Talk. Heal. Thrive. Psychotherapy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in undefined, undefined. They treat Gender Identity, Relationship(s) with Friends/Roommates, Panic.

    Talk. Heal. Thrive. Psychotherapy is a telehealth insurance-based therapy practice working with clients anywhere in Washington State.

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  • TaBrea Sledge, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    TaBrea Sledge

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    1631 Midtown Place, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609

    TaBrea Sledge is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Raleigh, North Carolina and has been in practice for 5 years. They treat Life Transitions, Dependent Personality, Depression.

    My passion for mental health stems from my deep belief in the resilience in the human spirit.

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Understanding Art Therapy: What Makes It Different?

Art therapy is the integration of psychotherapy and creative expression. Unlike traditional talk therapy, art therapy allows clients to bypass verbal defenses, giving them a way to express complex emotions visually or through tactile experience.

Through media such as drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, or journaling, clients process emotional material that might otherwise remain trapped beneath conscious awareness. Especially for trauma survivors, art therapy allows emotions stored in implicit memory to surface gently, without being retraumatizing. For many, it becomes a vital component of trauma-informed care or somatic therapies, integrating seamlessly with approaches like EMDR or sensorimotor psychotherapy.

In art therapy, it’s not about artistic skill. Instead, the focus is on externalizing inner experiences and allowing the subconscious to communicate through creative channels, providing emotional release, insight, and healing.


Who Is Art Therapy For? (Beyond Just "Creative Types")

While many assume that art therapy is only for those who love art, this modality is highly effective even for individuals who do not consider themselves "artistic." In fact, many clients are surprised at how freeing art therapy can be precisely because there’s no pressure to perform artistically.

Populations who benefit include:

  • Children struggling with emotional regulation, developmental delays, or trauma
  • Teens facing anxiety, school pressures, peer conflicts, or identity struggles
  • Adults who feel blocked or stuck in verbal therapy
  • Trauma survivors (including sexual assault, complex PTSD, or medical trauma)
  • Neurodivergent individuals (ADHD, autism spectrum, or sensory processing difficulties)
  • Grieving individuals processing loss and complicated bereavement
  • Caregivers and healthcare workers experiencing compassion fatigue or burnout
  • Medical patients coping with chronic illness, cancer, or recovery after surgery
  • Dissociative clients who experience emotional numbing or avoidance
  • Highly defended individuals who intellectualize or struggle with verbal emotional expression

For clients who have difficulty expressing emotions in words, art therapy offers a powerful alternative route for emotional healing.


What Happens in an Art Therapy Session? (Step-by-Step)

An art therapy session blends clinical expertise with creativity, offering a highly individualized and emotionally attuned experience. A typical session may include:

  • Initial assessment: The therapist reviews emotional goals, symptoms, trauma history, and comfort with different art materials.
  • Session structure: Clients engage in a mix of guided art-making and verbal processing.
  • Materials: Options may include paints, clay, collage, charcoal, sand tray, or journaling.
  • Therapist role: The art therapist may use non-directive, client-led approaches or offer gentle prompts based on clinical needs.
  • Post-creation reflection: Clients explore the emotional content revealed through their art with the support of the therapist.
  • Sensory regulation: The therapist carefully paces sessions to avoid overwhelming dysregulated clients, especially those with trauma histories.
  • No artistic judgment: There are no grades, critiques, or expectations for the final product. The focus remains entirely on the emotional process.

In this safe, accepting environment, clients access feelings often hidden beneath the surface, allowing for meaningful therapeutic breakthroughs.


What Conditions Does Art Therapy Treat?

Art therapy is evidence-based for a wide range of emotional, psychological, and trauma-related challenges. Conditions that respond well include:

  • PTSD (childhood trauma, abuse, developmental trauma, complex PTSD)
  • Anxiety disorders (panic attacks, social anxiety, generalized anxiety)
  • Depression
  • Grief and complicated bereavement
  • Medical trauma (cancer recovery, surgery, chronic illness adjustment)
  • Body image issues and eating disorders
  • ADHD, autism, and sensory processing challenges
  • Self-esteem and identity exploration
  • Chronic illness and chronic pain
  • Attachment trauma (including adoption and foster care histories)

Whether addressing deep developmental wounds or recent losses, art therapy provides an accessible and gentle pathway for emotional processing.

Find care for Art Therapy

Remember, recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive network, and the right professional care, you can overcome the challenges of Art Therapy and build a fulfilling life. We are here to help you find care.

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