If you’ve ever been involved with art therapy, you understand how restorative it can be. It has the ability to drive creativity, restore your sense of well-being, and help you overcome anxieties, conflicts, and even addictions. And while art therapy was once only practiced in select settings – such as hospitals, wellness centers, and rehab facilities – its reach is much broader now.
Research clearly shows the positive impact of art therapy on emotional health and it’s important that you find ways to expose yourself to this powerful therapeutic practice as frequently as possible. Thankfully, there are a number of online resources designed to make art therapy accessible and convenient. In fact, you may want to bookmark the following blogs.
1. Psychology Today Arts and Health
This blog is managed by Cathy Malchiodi, an experienced art therapist and author of 13 books on the subject, and offers a very educated look at “the integrative, reparative and restorative powers of the arts.” While content is not published on a daily basis, the posts that are published are thorough, unique, and interesting. Those who are new to the blog will enjoy reading past posts, which are still quite relevant today.
2. Adventures in Art Therapy
This blog is managed by another registered and licensed art therapist, Lacy Mucklow, and is an excellent resource for keeping up to date on the latest trends and developments within the industry. There are plenty of posts to read through, as well as lots of helpful links and resources on the right-hand side of the site. These external links are resourceful for those looking to learn more about specific aspects of art therapy and related topics.
3. Park West Gallery Blog
While it’s not a dedicated art therapy blog, the Park West Gallery Blog is an excellent resource for those interested in supplementing their study of art therapy with bigger industry news and developments. Park West Gallery is the world’s largest art dealer and, as a result, is seen as an authoritative source on all things art. The blog may indirectly inspire you to see art therapy in a new light.
4. Art Therapy Spot
The Art Therapy Spot is an extension of licensed therapist Sara Roizen’s professional website. It offers really unfiltered and genuine posts about topics that are important to both therapists and patients within the industry. Roizen does a fantastic job of exploring the artwork she creates and explaining the stories behind her pursuits. It’s a fresh and revealing blog that doesn’t get enough attention.
5. Inner Canvas Blog
The Inner Canvas blog may be the most professional, organized, and aesthetically pleasing art therapy blog on the list. Not only does it provide fresh perspectives on relevant topics, but it does so through multiple mediums. The blog uses videos, interviews, imagery, and even poetry to connect with readers and help them learn more about the value and importance of art therapy in restorative healing.
6. Colors of Play
While this site is not updated frequently any more, the abundance of past posts are extremely relevant and helpful for parents looking to encourage the use of art therapy for their children. The blog is very practical and provides solutions to common problems, answers to frequently asked questions, and hands-on activities designed to help children understand themselves and the world around them. Art therapists who work with children on a regular basis may also find the blog helpful.
7. Creativity in Art Therapy
This is another fantastic resource on the topic of art therapy for children. Carolyn Mehlomakulu, who is a licensed marriage and family therapist and registered art therapist, manages the blog. She works with a lot with children and adolescents and shares her experiences on this blog. Many of the posts are extremely practical and can be used by parents at home.
8. Creative Juices Arts
If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box blog on art therapy, this is it. You’ll notice from the moment that you log on to the site that it’s much different than some of the clinical art therapy blogs and websites you’ll run across. However, it’s a really valuable resources and has a lot of value and wisdom to offer to regular readers.
Learn More About Art Therapy
Whether you’re a licensed art therapist, a patient who’s used art therapy in the past, or someone who’s simply interested in learning more about this fascinating topic, these blogs are fantastic resources. Bookmark the pages, browse through articles, and expose yourself to new content to get an idea of what art therapy is really like.
Featured photo credit: Rowan El Shimi via flic.kr
