In art therapy, a person uses their creativity and imagination to make art that expresses their self in a healthy and productive way. The goal of art therapy is for the person to expand their forms of communication in order to better convey their experiences and emotions. 

At Arha we use a multitude of approach to enable patients to express themselves in different formats.

SAMSHA’s Substance Abuse Treatment guide for group therapy describes art therapy as a type of expressive group therapy that can help people express their thoughts and feelings that they may not be able to say with words. This therapy is especially helpful for people who have underlying psychological issues related to their addiction, such as a history of abuse. Patients at Arha will undertake group and individual Art Therapy as part of their treatment process.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy can be used “to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress”. 

Creative expression has become a cornerstone of modern rehabilitation programs, giving patients a multi-dimensional platform for exploring more obvious as well as previously uncharted facets of their emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Using both traditional and unconventional mediums, patients can communicate in a holistic way that enhances their wellbeing by reducing stress and depression, improving self-esteem, and providing creativity.