Do I need to be good at art to try art therapy?

No, you do not need any art skill or experience. Art therapy is about the process of making something, not how it looks. Stick figures, scribbles and simple shapes of colour are all welcome, and your counsellor will never judge or grade your work.

What happens in an art therapy session?

A session usually mixes talking and making art. You might start by checking in, then draw, paint or shape clay around a feeling or a moment from your week. Afterward you and your counsellor look at what you made, and you can share as much or as little as you like about what it means to you.

Can I do art therapy online in BC?

Often, yes: you can meet in person or online from anywhere in BC. Online, you use simple materials you have at home, such as paper, pencils or markers, and hold your work up to the camera only if you want to share it. Some people prefer in person for messier materials like clay or paint, so you can choose what feels right.

Can art therapy help with trauma or painful memories?

Art therapy may help, and your counsellor goes at your pace. Art can give you a way to show a hard experience without telling every detail, and your counsellor helps you feel steady and grounded before any deeper work. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or call 911 if you are in danger.

How is art therapy different from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

Art therapy uses making images to explore feelings, while cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) mainly uses talking and writing to look at thoughts and change patterns. They suit different people and different goals. If you are not sure which fits you, our intake team can suggest counsellors who fit what you need, your language, your budget and where you want to meet.

Art Therapy

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art as a medium for self-expression and healing. It can be helpful for people of all ages and backgrounds who may be struggling with various mental health issues .

Book a free consultation See art therapy counsellors

8 counsellors trained
In person or online

What it helps with

Concerns art therapy can help withWhat it helps with

How it works

What a course of art therapy looks likeHow it works

Early on
Notice what comes up
You and your counsellor talk about what brings you in. You may try simple materials like pencils, paint or clay and notice which feelings or images show up.
As you go
Make and reflect together
In sessions you create something, then look at it together. Your counsellor asks what you see and feel, and you decide what it means to you.
Over time
Keep creating your way
Between sessions you might keep a small sketchbook to calm or sort your feelings. You and your counsellor decide together how long to keep going.

Art therapy may suit you if you

Find it hard to put feelings into words
Feel more at ease making something than only talking
Want a calming, hands-on way to handle stress or worry
Want a gentle way to explore how you see yourself
Are curious about art, even with no skill or training
Like to choose what you share and when

Something else may fit better if you

Are in crisis right now: call or text 9-8-8
Prefer a structured, skills-based approach
Mainly want space to talk things through
Find making art stressful rather than helpful

Not sure? A free consultation can help you choose.

Where

Art therapy in person in Burnaby, Vancouver and Coquitlam, or onlineWhere

About

More about art therapy

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy involves using art materials such as paints, clay, and markers to create visual representations of emotions, thoughts, and experiences. This creative process can help people tap into their inner selves and express themselves in a way that may be difficult to do verbally. An art therapist helps clients explore their art and interpret its meaning.

How does Art Therapy work?

Art therapy works by engaging clients in a creative process that allows them to express and explore their emotions and experiences. It can help clients gain insight into their thoughts and feelings, and promote self-awareness and personal growth. The art-making process can also be calming and relaxing, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.

According to a 2017 study on art therapy published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, art counselling can improve mood and reduce anxiety in people with depression. Another study published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology found that art counselling can improve the quality of life for older adults in nursing homes. The study showed that participating in art counselling led to a reduction in depression and an increase in positive emotions.

How No Fear Counselling can help with Art counselling

At No Fear Counselling, we offer art therapy as a way to help clients process and express their emotions. Our trained art therapists can help clients explore their art and interpret its meaning. We also offer a safe and supportive environment for clients to express themselves and work through their struggles.

Benefits of Art Therapy

Art therapy can have many benefits for clients, including:

Improved mood and reduced anxiety
Increased self-awareness and personal growth
Reduced stress and improved relaxation
Increased sense of control and empowerment
Improved social skills and communication
Enhanced creativity and self-expression

Types of Art Counselling:

There are several types of art counselling, including:

Drawing and painting therapy
Sculpture therapy
Collage therapy
Digital art counselling

Each type of art counselling can be tailored to the client's needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Art counselling can be an effective form of therapy for those struggling with mental health issues. It allows clients to express themselves in a nonverbal way and can lead to increased self-awareness and personal growth. At No Fear Counselling, we offer art therapy as part of our holistic approach to mental health treatment. If you're interested in learning more about art counselling and how it can help you, please contact us or call us at (778) 288-8361.

We have locations in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley, Penticton, etc.

‍

Counsellors trained in art therapyTrained in art therapy

See all 8All 8

Carolina Rosa-Crespo
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Depression, Complex Trauma, Anger Management, Assertiveness/Boundaries, Parenting, Minority Groups, Perfectionism, Guilt/Shame, Codependency, Acute Trauma, Attachment Concerns, Personal Development/Growth, Relationship Concerns, Abuse, Immigration & Acculturation, Life Transitions, Emotional Regulation, Self Esteem, Stress Management, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Anxiety, Improving Communication, Building Healthy Parent/Child ConnectionsPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Grief, Loss and Bereavement+23 more
- Languages: English, Portuguese
- Where: Coquitlam
View profile of Carolina Rosa-Crespo
Lynne Barisoff
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Aboriginal Concerns / First Nations, Attachment Concerns, Depression, LGBTQ2+, Career Counselling, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Infant/Toddle/Pre-School Counselling (0 to 6 years), Sexual Concerns, Harm Reduction, Disability, ADHD and ADD, Anxiety, Career Exploration with Youth, Building Healthy Parent/Child Connections, Complex Trauma, Learning Disability, Blended Families, Childhood Anxiety, Gender Affirmative Therapy, Youth/Adolescence Counselling (12 to 17 years)Aboriginal Concerns / First NationsAttachment Concerns+18 more
- Languages: English
- Where: Abbotsford
View profile of Lynne Barisoff
Nazanin Zarei
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Narcissism, Attachment Concerns, Inner Child Work, Aboriginal Concerns / First Nations, Emotional Regulation, Minority Groups, High Sensitivity, Depression, Anger Management, Assertiveness/Boundaries, Spirituality, Social Anxiety, Perfectionism, Guilt/Shame, Relationship Concerns, Burnout, Anxiety, Pain Management, Women's Concerns, Cancer Support, Coping with Injury/Loss, Self Esteem
- Languages: Dari, English, Farsi / Persian
- Where: Vancouver · Online
View profile of Nazanin Zarei
Pawandeep Kaur
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Parenting, Inner Child Work, Childhood Depression, Childhood Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Phobias, Anger Management, Attachment Concerns, Sexual Concerns, Suicidal Ideation, Couples/Marriage Counselling, Child Counselling (6 to 12 years), Youth/Adolescence Counselling (12 to 17 years)Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Depression+17 more
- Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu
- Where: Burnaby · Surrey · Vancouver
View profile of Pawandeep Kaur
Seshka Hartz
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Spirituality, Cult Abuse, High Sensitivity, Life Transitions, Women's Concerns, Men's Concerns, Repairing Relationships, Loneliness, Personal Development/Growth, Self Compassion, Goal Setting, Existential Concerns, Abuse, Anxiety, Improving Communication, Depression, Domestic Abuse/Violence, Learning Disability, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Relationship Concerns, Self Esteem, Sexual Concerns, Work Stress
- Languages: English
- Where: Burnaby · Online
View profile of Seshka Hartz
Shriti Mitra Mrinal
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Attachment Concerns, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Couples/Marriage Counselling, Life Transitions, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Anxiety, Repairing Relationships, Relationship Concerns, Assertiveness/Boundaries, Guilt/Shame, Immigration & Acculturation, Panic Attacks, Depression, Burnout, Fears, Building Healthy Parent/Child Connections
- Languages: Bengali, English, Hindi, Marathi, Urdu
- Where: Burnaby · Online
View profile of Shriti Mitra Mrinal

FAQs

Common questions about art therapyCommon questions

Can't find your answer? Ask us a question.

No, you do not need any art skill or experience. Art therapy is about the process of making something, not how it looks. Stick figures, scribbles and simple shapes of colour are all welcome, and your counsellor will never judge or grade your work.
A session usually mixes talking and making art. You might start by checking in, then draw, paint or shape clay around a feeling or a moment from your week. Afterward you and your counsellor look at what you made, and you can share as much or as little as you like about what it means to you.
Often, yes: you can meet in person or online from anywhere in BC. Online, you use simple materials you have at home, such as paper, pencils or markers, and hold your work up to the camera only if you want to share it. Some people prefer in person for messier materials like clay or paint, so you can choose what feels right.
Art therapy may help, and your counsellor goes at your pace. Art can give you a way to show a hard experience without telling every detail, and your counsellor helps you feel steady and grounded before any deeper work. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or call 911 if you are in danger.
Art therapy uses making images to explore feelings, while cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) mainly uses talking and writing to look at thoughts and change patterns. They suit different people and different goals. If you are not sure which fits you, our intake team can suggest counsellors who fit what you need, your language, your budget and where you want to meet.

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Art Therapy

Concerns art therapy can help withWhat it helps with

What a course of art therapy looks likeHow it works

Notice what comes up

Make and reflect together