01/24/2026
🎨 Art as Therapy vs. Art Psychotherapy
What’s the difference?
In the field of art therapy, two foundational thinkers, Edith Kramer and Margaret Naumburg, helped shape two complementary approaches that are still used today.
🖌️ Art as Therapy (Edith Kramer)
In this approach, the act of creating art is the therapy.
The focus is on the healing power of the creative process itself. Working with materials, experimenting, and expressing emotion through art is naturally therapeutic.
✨ Art-making supports:
Emotional regulation
Stress relief
Self-esteem and mastery
Safe expression without needing words
Interpretation isn’t the goal. Growth happens through the art making.
🧠 Art Psychotherapy (Margaret Naumburg)
Here, art is used as a tool for insight and communication.
Artwork becomes a bridge to thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may be difficult to express verbally.
✨ Art supports:
Exploring unconscious material
Processing trauma or inner conflict
Deepening self-understanding through reflection and dialogue
Meaning-making and discussion are central parts of the therapeutic work.
🌱 The takeaway
Both approaches are valid, powerful, and often blended in modern art therapy.
Whether healing happens through the art itself or through talking about the art, creativity offers a unique and accessible path to emotional growth.
💬 Art gives us another language... one that meets people exactly where they are.
✨ Interested in art therapy?
We’d love to connect and see if art therapy might be a good fit for you!💛
📞 720-580-2283 📧 amanda@restartstudio.org
