Neuroscientific Benefits of Art Therapy
The use of creative expression, specifically art therapy within a therapeutic relationship is built for healing, intuitive insight, and the use of metaphor and unconscious mark-making that need not be verbally processed. After all, according to Harvard geneticist David Reich, as a species we evolved speech as a processing mechanism quite later in our evolution. However, mark making? We have found ancient marks from the Lascaux caves and symbols left in burial caves, to ancient pottery and protective storytelling sigils. So, what does engaging in art therapy do to our physical brains and central nervous system?
Reduced Arousal and Increased Relaxation: Research using electroencephalograms (EEGs) has shown that creating art is associated with an increase in alpha and beta brain waves, which are higher frequency brain waves, and a decrease in delta and theta brain waves, which are lower frequency brain waves. Researchers hypothesize that this pattern of brain wave activity may reflect an alert but relaxed state. One study found that, compared to drawing, sculpting with clay was associated with significant slow wave activity in the frontal and parietal lobes, a potential indicator of increased relaxation, which, with a trained art therapist, is a perfect prompting for affective and emotional processing. Why process and feel the emotions? Because they always find another way to show up in the body.
Improved Cognitive Function: Creating art, even in a simple way such as coloring or doodling, has been shown to increase activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of the brain, an area associated with feelings of reward. Researchers found that both artists and non-artists experience these neurological benefits from art-making, which may even translate into an increase in self-perceived creativity. According to the sources, engaging in art-making may also strengthen connections between the default mode network (DMN), central executive network (CEN), and the salience network (SN), three major networks in the brain responsible for various cognitive functions:
The DMN is involved with internally focused thinking, such as thinking about oneself or daydreaming.
The CEN is involved with externally focused, task-oriented thinking.
The SN plays an important role in switching between the DMN and CEN, depending on the task.
Increased Self-Regulation: Creating art provides an opportunity to integrate sensory information with physical movement, which may improve self-regulation. For example, one study found that having clients manipulate soothing fabrics while engaging in the rhythmic movements of sewing resulted in therapeutic benefits such as increased self-regulation and improved motor skills. This finding supports the theory that engaging both the kinesthetic and sensory components of art-making can profoundly impact brain function.
Art therapists often use a theoretical framework known as the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) to guide their treatment planning and interventions. Every material, directive, and choice for intervention has a neurological underpinning. What may look like art making to an outsider, is a carefully considered therapeutic intervention made to align and gather information within the therapeutic relationship between psychotherapist and client.
The ETC provides a valuable model for understanding the neurological underpinnings of art-making. For example, the ETC may be able to explain how engaging in different art-making activities, such as working with clay versus drawing, can have different effects on the brain. Research in this area continues to expand; a better understanding of the neurological effects of art therapy will likely lead to new and innovative treatment approaches. I highly recommend Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen, which shares anecdotes of the most recent studies (2024) and art applications as a therapeutic intervention. The neuroscience that continues to be explored every day is so promising for mind-body disease and diagnoses in the mental health field.
Speaking of Physical Health and Mental Health
Various art therapists in the field offer valuable insights into the potential benefits of art therapy within a hospital and medical setting. While the field doesn't focus exclusively on hospitals, they highlight advantages relevant to diverse client populations and therapeutic contexts. These benefits extend beyond mere symptom relief to encompass broader aspects of healing and personal growth:
Enhanced Emotional Expression and Processing: The sources emphasize art therapy's power to help clients express and process complex emotions that might be difficult to articulate verbally. As a species, we developed symbols before we did physical speech evolutionarily. This is particularly crucial in a hospital setting, where individuals may face challenging diagnoses, undergo stressful treatments, or experience fear, anxiety, and grief. Art therapists find that "the greatest validation of art therapy comes in the form of anecdotal testimony from clients," suggesting that the lived experiences of individuals engaged in art therapy offer the most compelling evidence of its impact. The research emphasizes that "artistic expression is an inherently healthy process that naturally promotes a sense of satisfaction and improves self-esteem," highlighting its potential to foster resilience and well-being in the face of adversity.
Several sources point to the use of art therapy in palliative care and hospice settings, suggesting its value in helping clients cope with terminal illnesses, process end-of-life fears, and find meaning and solace in the face of death. As a professor so eloquently shared in my psychology of death course, “how do you befriend death?”
Improved Coping and Stress Reduction: The sources suggest that engaging in art therapy can provide clients with a sense of control, mastery, and self-efficacy, all of which can be particularly helpful in a hospital environment where individuals may feel overwhelmed and powerless. Historically, research on the role of art therapy in helping World War II veterans process trauma and cope with the challenges of returning to civilian life highlights its historical application in addressing significant emotional and psychological distress.
Increased Self-Awareness and Insight: Through the process of creating art, clients can gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This self-awareness, facilitated by a trained art therapist, can be instrumental in promoting healing and neuroplasticity. Art therapists can use a client's "body of work" to assess "overall functioning, ability to control the medium, developmental level, communication patterns and/or abstract thinking." This suggests that the art-making process can reveal valuable information about a client's psychological state and potential areas for intervention.
Strengthened Communication and Social Skills: The sources acknowledge that art therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with verbal communication or struggle to express themselves directly. This aspect of art therapy is especially relevant in a hospital setting, where patients may have communication difficulties due to illness, injury, or developmental differences.
Improved Cognitive Functioning: While often associated with emotional expression, art therapy can also have a positive impact on cognitive abilities such as attention, memory, problem-solving, and executive functioning. This is especially relevant for patients recovering from stroke, brain injury or those facing cognitive decline. Various sources discuss using "museum and art therapy collaborations" to "stimulate memory and improve cognitive functioning in older adults." This suggests that art-based activities' stimulating and engaging nature can have tangible benefits for cognitive health.
Enhanced Quality of Life: By addressing the emotional, cognitive, and social needs of patients, art therapy can contribute to an overall improvement in their quality of life during a hospital stay.
Emphasizes that art therapy can help clients with physical conditions "process the experience of pain, loss, and change, facing unknown territory, including the imminence of death," suggesting its value in navigating the existential and emotional challenges of illness.
Support for Families and Caregivers: Art therapy can also be offered in group or family sessions, providing a space for shared expression, communication, and support among loved ones facing a health crisis.
It's crucial to note that various sources and research regarding art therapy generally advocate for using art therapy as part of a holistic and integrated approach to healthcare, acknowledging the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. They emphasize the importance of collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure clients receive comprehensive and well-rounded care.
If you want to engage in the art-making process and community, join me in the Perpetually Curious Club or Seasonal Art Journaling for Self Care Group, where we art-make, explore materials, and practice curiosity together.