The Art Therapy Project

01/15/2026

In 2010, our founder David Wasserman established The Art Therapy Outreach Center to meet a growing mental health need in NYC. By 2011, we opened our doors to our first group serving female veterans.

With early and ongoing support from School of Visual Arts and the SVA MPS Art Therapy Department, our work took root. Fifteen years later, The Art Therapy Project remains a vital source of mental health support for those who need it most.

01/14/2026

According to research, creative arts therapies engage "pathways that parallel physical activity, stress management, and connectedness—supporting restoration of agency and purpose rather than mere symptom remission".

Read more about how the arts and humanities can be integrated into psychiatric care:

Integrating arts and humanities into psychiatry enhances patient recovery, fosters connectedness, and enriches clinician engagement, transforming mental health care.

01/13/2026

Over 70 Atlas High teachers spent their professional development time painting and reflecting on their current mood during last week’s Employee Wellness Workshop. Prioritizing well-being at work helps bring healthier energy into the classroom for both educators and students.�DM us to bring this experience to your workplace.

01/12/2026

“A lot of times, trauma gives you this illusion that there is nothing that you can do about it. But when you start to create, you may create something out of nothing when you felt like you couldn’t. I think for a lot of clients, that is super powerful.”

Read more about a case study of the intersection between arts and healing:

A survivor of Japanese American internment in WWII, legendary sculptor Isamu Noguchi shows us how art can help heal our traumas.

01/10/2026

“Don’t give up. Just do the best you can. And try to do better today than you did yesterday.”

Read more about the factors that keep one veteran committed to his healing journey:

101-year-old Veteran credits exercise for staying motivated.

01/09/2026

“We know the mental health conversation is top of mind... But we haven’t really necessarily [felt] like it’s still a welcoming conversation.”

Read more about the exhibit that invites audience members to sit in chairs representing mental health issues experienced by artists:

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/maryland-art-gallery-chair-exhibit

01/08/2026

We’re proud to partner with the Center for Supportive Schools to bring art therapy into the school day at Bronx Early College Academy.

Led by art therapist Allison Sabbagh, Art Therapist, group-based art therapy offers students time to create, relax, and connect, helping expand access to art therapy within school communities across NYC.

Read More:https://thearttherapyproject.org/blog/2025/12/10/expanding-access-to-art-therapy-for-middle-amp-high-school-studentsnbsp

01/07/2026

"Art therapy, in theory and in practice, is premised on the idea that the creative process itself is inherently therapeutic."

Read more about the university class that is inspiring psychology students to pursue a career in art therapy:

https://news.northeastern.edu/2025/12/31/northeasterns-expressive-art-therapy/

01/06/2026

We’re kicking off 2026 strong! Thanks to our community, we exceeded our 2025 year-end goal and as of today, raised $39,432! Your support is creating more access to tools for expressing and navigating big feelings, stay tuned for updates on youth programs in the year ahead.

01/05/2026

According to the results of one study, "those who did not receive the art therapy reported feeling around twice as burnt out as those who did".

Read more about the potential benefits of art based group therapy in reducing burnout for medical staff:

https://ow.ly/miop50XRVHQ

01/03/2026

"In reality, if we all let down our walls and are just honest with each other, we can connect a lot better.”

Read more about one children's book writer who found the arts integral to her healing journey:

Discover how art became a path to recovery for Dorcas Tang after she left university amid a battle with depression and anxiety. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

01/02/2026

"As he serves his term, he understands how much he needs to improve his life, he said. Making art is part of that journey."

Read more about the importance of rehabilitation programs that incorporate the arts here:

Artists are part of the Substance Use Disorder program where they learn life skills.