Art Therapy
Art Therapy is a creative, client-centred approach that uses artistic expression to support emotional healing, self-awareness and personal growth.
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a person-centred, evidence-based therapeutic approach that uses creative expression to support wellbeing. It engages the brain through sensory, emotional and cognitive processes, helping individuals connect with their experiences beyond verbal communication. Activities using visual arts, movement and music nurture emotional regulation, self-awareness and integration. This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals who find traditional talk therapy challenging. It can support those experiencing ADHD, Autism Spectrum, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression and other mental health challenges. It is also valuable for those with physical concerns, intellectual, memory or language difficulties, or cultural barriers. No artistic experience is needed, arts therapy focuses on the process of expression rather than the end product.
At Brain & Mind Hub, Art Therapy is rooted in connection, nurturing trust, empathy and authentic relationality between therapist and client. Guided by a philosophy of emergence, each session unfolds in response to the individual’s needs, allowing for a deeply personal and responsive therapeutic experience. Our multimodal approach invites expression through a rich tapestry of creative forms—visual arts, movement, storytelling, writing—engaging mind, body and spirit in the healing process. We honour each person’s unique lived experience, creating space for reflection, exploration, and transformation through creative practice.
The Neuroscience Behind Art Therapy
Arts Therapy promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, by engaging creative processes that enhance emotional and cognitive functions. It activates brain areas like the prefrontal cortex (self-awareness), limbic system (emotional processing), and sensory cortices (multisensory expression). These processes help regulate emotions, reduce stress, and increase motivation by lowering amygdala activity and boosting dopamine production.
Key Benefits:
- Improved emotional expression and regulation
- Activation of self-awareness and memory processing areas
- Reduction of anxiety and stress through creative engagement
- Strengthening positive neural pathways through neuroplasticity
- Stimulating the brain’s reward system for better mood and resilience
What to expect from Art Therapy
Art Therapy sessions offer a safe, supportive space for creative exploration in one-on-one or group settings. Sessions may include crafting, drawing, painting, role-play, movement, music, or writing, guided by the client’s needs. Arts Therapists facilitate self-expression and self-discovery, focusing on the process rather than the final artwork.
Who is Art Therapy for?
Art Therapy is a powerful and inclusive approach suitable for individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. It is particularly beneficial for those who find verbal expression challenging, offering a creative outlet to explore emotions, experiences and inner worlds in a safe and supportive environment.
This therapeutic modality is well-suited to people navigating a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, neurodivergence (such as ADHD), eating disorders, and disability. It can also support anyone on a journey of personal growth, self-discovery or emotional regulation.
At Brain & Mind Hub, Arts Therapy is a key component of both our ADHD and Eating Disorder platforms. It offers a unique and engaging way to process experiences, strengthen identity, develop emotional awareness, and support healing, complementing traditional psychological therapies with a deeply creative and person-centred approach.
