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Art Therapy: Expressing What Words Cannot
"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way... things I had no words for."
-Georgia O'Keeffe
Some things your body knows before your words do. Art therapy gives those things a place to land. Color, line, and shape can say what you haven’t been able to, so you can feel your way toward what’s going on inside, at a pace that feels supportive for you.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a way of exploring what you feel through creating, not just talking. You don’t need to be “artistic” or have any experience. It isn’t about making something that looks "good". It’s about giving shape to what you’re feeling, especially when it’s hard to explain.
Sometimes emotions live in the body more than in words. A tight chest, a heavy stomach, a restless buzz you can’t quite name. Art can help those sensations come to the surface in a way that feels safer, more intuitive, and less overwhelming.
In our work together, we might draw, collage, play with color, use movement. It’s always at your pace and your comfort level.
What is Somatic Art Therapy?
Somatic art therapy starts with the body instead of the thinking mind. Rather than talking about what you feel, you get to feel it and express it through your hands, your breath, and your whole body.
We pay attention to movement, speed, pressure, and direction. A slow, heavy line. A quick, scratchy one. A shape drawn again and again until something in you softens. Your body knows how to express what you can’t put into words, and the page gives it room to do that.
You might notice a settling, a release, or simply a new awareness of what you’ve been carrying. There’s no right way to do it and nothing to get right. We go slowly, and your nervous system sets the pace.
My Favorite Art Therapy Tool:
Art Journaling
Art journaling is one of my favorite ways to combine creativity, reflection, and self-discovery.
Unlike a traditional journal that relies mostly on words, an art journal uses images, colors, symbols, collage, and simple creative exercises to explore thoughts and emotions that can be difficult to put into language.
There is no right or wrong way to create an art journal page. Some pages may contain writing, while others may be filled with color, images, or abstract marks. The focus isn't on making something beautiful—it's on expressing yourself honestly.
Why Art Journaling?
Art journaling can help you:
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Process difficult emotions
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Reduce stress and anxiety
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Explore patterns and beliefs
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Connect with your authentic self
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Build self-compassion
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Work through perfectionism and self-criticism
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Strengthen your creative confidence
You Don't Need Artistic Experience
One of the biggest misconceptions about art therapy is that you need artistic talent.
You don't.
In art journaling, simple shapes, colors, torn paper, stick figures, and scribbles can often communicate more than a polished drawing. The value comes from the process of creating, not the final product.
What Might an Art Journal Page Look Like?
An art journal page might include:
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A collage made from magazine images
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Colors that represent your mood
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Words or phrases that stand out to you
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Drawings, doodles, or symbols
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Reflections on a life experience
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Responses to therapeutic prompts
Every page is unique because every person's story is unique.
How I Use Art Journaling in Therapy
During sessions, art journaling can be used to explore emotions, increase self-awareness, process life experiences, and practice new ways of relating to yourself. The goal isn't to create a perfect page—it's to create a space where curiosity, self-expression, and growth can emerge.
Art journaling is my favorite art therapy tool because it invites us to show up imperfectly. A page doesn't have to be beautiful, finished, or worthy of being shared. It simply has to be honest. Over time, art journaling can become a practice of meeting yourself with curiosity instead of criticism.
And the best part? It is a practice you can take with you outside of the therapy room.