6 Statistics That Show What Art Therapy Can Do

Art therapy pairs the making of art with psychological counseling, giving people a way to express themselves, work through emotions, and grow. More people are turning to it for mental health support, and the research gives some idea why. Here are six statistics on how it performs in different settings.

1. Overall psychological health: In a study published in The Arts in Psychotherapy, 81% of patients reported improvement in their overall psychological health after art therapy sessions. That result covers a wide range of people, which is part of what makes the number worth noting.

2. Lower anxiety: Creative arts therapies, art therapy among them, have been shown to reduce anxiety in cancer patients. In research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 71% of participants reported less anxiety after creative arts therapies — real relief for people facing a serious illness.

3. Post-traumatic growth: In a study published in Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 76% of veterans reported significant improvements in post-traumatic growth after art therapy. For people carrying trauma, that kind of movement matters.

4. Self-esteem: Research published in Arts & Health found that art therapy can improve self-esteem and self-image, particularly in children. In that study, 79% of participants came away with higher self-esteem and a more positive view of themselves.

5. Fewer PTSD symptoms: In a study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, 68% of trauma survivors saw a reduction in PTSD symptoms after art therapy interventions.

6. Communication skills: Art therapy has also shown benefits for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 77% of participants with ASD showed improved communication and social skills after art therapy sessions.

Taken together, these numbers point the same way: art therapy can support mental health for many kinds of people — cancer patients, veterans, children, trauma survivors, people with ASD. If you've been curious about it, for yourself or someone you love, it's worth a look.

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New to art therapy? Start with our complete guide, Art Therapy 101, or learn about free art therapy sessions at Black Alphabet.