Art therapy is a form of therapy that uses art materials and the creative process of making art to express one’s difficult thoughts and feelings. Patients can explore their emotions, reduce anxiety, increase self-esteem, alleviate psychological distress and support their overall well-being with this form of therapy. 

Art therapy is much more than just drawing your feelings. Art therapy allows individuals to achieve personal insight into their problems and mental health issues. According to Career Explorer, “art therapists help their clients get involved in the creation of art in order to encourage personal development, increase coping skills, and improve their quality of cognitive functioning.” 

Art therapy uses psychological, spiritual and artistic theories in conjunction with clinical techniques to achieve improved outcomes. Common techniques used in art therapy often include:

• Painting
• Doodling
• Sculpting
• Drawing
• Molding clay
• Carving
• Creating pottery

Several studies have indicated that hospice care patients may benefit from art therapy through visual art appreciation and hands-on creative artwork. According to ScienceDirect, “there are multiple barriers to art therapy engagement in the palliative care setting, including treatment