Danielle Klapper, MS, LPCC, ATR-BC, is an art therapist with a master's degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. With clinical experience spanning residential placements for adolescents, outpatient community clinics, and crisis intervention, Danielle specializes in helping clients heal from trauma and the impact challenging life experiences has had on someone’s daily life. Her approach is integrative, dynamic, and holistic, utilizing a variety of therapeutic modalities including Art Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
When most people hear the term Art Therapy, they might automatically think of children or individuals who identify as creative. It’s easy to make that mental leap, but in reality, art therapy is a powerful tool that can benefit a wide range of people—not just the artistically inclined.
Many individuals are naturally logical thinkers who see the world in absolutes, or shades of black and white. They may rationalize their way through life, believing they are highly self-aware. While they can discuss issues at length in therapy, they often struggle to connect emotionally with how these thoughts impact their daily lives. Art therapy can step in here, helping those stuck in rigid thought patterns to open up new possibilities. It offers a way to break free from purely rational thinking and engage with emotions that may have been previously overlooked or suppressed.
Art therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals who feel overwhelmed by their thoughts. Imagine a fishbowl with thoughts swirling around, impossible to grab hold of and focus on—this is the experience of many who struggle with anxiety or overthinking. Engaging in artistic activities helps to calm the chaos by organizing thoughts in a more manageable way.
One of the key reasons art therapy is so effective lies in its ability to engage all parts of the brain—a process known as bilateral stimulation. When both sides of the brain are activated through creative expression, it can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, process difficult memories, and promote a sense of well-being. While traditional talk therapy focuses on the logical side of the brain, art therapy engages the areas where memories and trauma are stored. Traumatic experiences are often encoded in the brain through our senses, and art therapy helps reconnect these sensory memories with the logical brain, allowing individuals to process trauma more effectively.
Another common misconception about art therapy is that it’s about creating something “pretty” or aesthetically pleasing. Many people hesitate to participate because they believe they’re not skilled at art or were told as children that they aren’t creative. This misconception is rooted in our early experiences with art class in school, where the focus was often on producing a finished product that looked good. Art therapy, however, is not about the end result—it’s about the process. Through the act of creating, clients can gain deeper insight into their emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. In fact, individuals who are initially reluctant to engage in art therapy often stand to benefit the most, as the process can help them challenge and break down negative self-beliefs instilled in childhood.
Ultimately, art therapy is not about talent or producing a masterpiece—it’s about trusting the process. By engaging in the act of creation, people can discover new ways to connect with their emotions, process their trauma, and gain valuable insights into themselves. All it takes is a willingness to let go of perfection and embrace the journey.