Art Therapy for Adolescents

Acne. Bullying. Drama. These are some of the “ABC’s” of adolescence. These years are times of discovery, sometimes peppered with seasons of profound struggle and searching. Many caregivers and parents see a need for therapy for their children during the adolescent years, but is talk therapy always the best option? Art therapy, or therapy that includes art interventions, might be a better fit.

Individuals can experience a lot of insecurities during the adolescent years. They may also lack skills to verbally articulate these struggles. Art therapy interventions can help with this, in that they allow teenagers to express themselves without needing to use words (Riley, 2001). Art can provide self-insight, as well as serve as a means of creative expression (Art Therapy Resources, 2023). Overall, art therapy interventions can help resolve identity crises and promote positive self-concept (Mittal & Mahapatra, 2022). These are not the only benefits of art therapy interventions for adolescents, however.

Art therapy is also useful for adolescents in that it promotes safety. Because art therapists do not force adolescents to share the meaning of their art, teens are free to express as little or as much as they want (Riley, 2001). This can help promote a sense of control over life (Mittal & Mahapatra, 2002). This efficacy can go on to benefit teens in other arenas of life.

Art can serve as a healthy coping skill for adolescents as well. Art allows the expression of struggles like depression in healthy ways (Riley, 2001). It externalizes anger in ways that are healthy, instead of destructive (Yassin, 2021). The therapist is there the whole way, providing unconditional positive regard and support. Difficult issues like trauma may also be explored using art therapy interventions (Phelps, n.d.). The uses of art therapy for adolescents are multi-faceted.

Is art therapy the correct therapy type for every teen? No. Some teens may benefit from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR, Beck’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, or any other evidence-based treatment. There is not one “right fit” therapy for anyone. Instead, it is up to caregivers, parents, and professionals to partner to find what is right for an adolescent. For some, that just might be art therapy.