Curious About Art Therapy? 5 Most Common Questions Answered by an Art Therapist in Denver

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself, overwhelmed with life, or just curious about trying something different in therapy, you’re not alone—and art therapy might be exactly what you need.

Even though it’s been around since the 1940s, art therapy is still unfamiliar to a lot of people. Because it’s not as mainstream as talk therapy, it can feel a little mysterious—or get written off as something too “woo.” But here’s the truth: art therapy is evidence-based, deeply healing, and especially powerful for people who struggle to put their feelings into words.

As an art therapist in Denver, I get a lot of the same questions from people who are curious but unsure. In this post, I’m answering the top five questions I hear most often to help clear up the confusion and show you what this creative form of therapy is really about.

Question 1: Do I need to be artistic to benefit from art therapy in Denver?

Not at all. You don’t need any artistic skill or background to benefit from art therapy—in fact, many of my clients don’t consider themselves “creative” or “artistic” at all. Sometimes that actually helps because there’s less pressure to make something look a certain way.

Art therapy is about the experience of creating

Art therapy isn’t about creating something beautiful or impressive—it’s about the experience of creating. It’s about what comes up in your body, your emotions, and your thoughts as you engage with the materials. Just the act of putting pen to paper, or moving your hands through paint or clay, can shift you into a different state of mind—one that’s often more connected, curious, and calm.

There’s so much to notice: the lines you draw, the colors you’re drawn to, the way it feels to slow down and be present. If you’re open to making marks on a page and exploring what arises, then yes—art therapy can absolutely support you, no art skills required.

Question 2: What is an art therapy session like?

Every art therapy session looks a little different—because every person’s needs, comfort level, and preferences are different. Some sessions include guided creative prompts, like drawing, collage, or working with parts of ourselves. Other times, we might blend gentle creative exploration with more traditional talk therapy. Either way, you’re always in charge of what you share and how you engage.

How an art therapist in Denver begins sessions

I often start sessions with a simple art check-in: this might look like using colors, lines, or shapes to reflect how you're feeling in the moment. From there, the session might naturally unfold—sometimes what shows up in the art brings clarity to something you’ve been holding inside, or opens up a conversation. Other times, you might feel more like talking than creating, or prefer to do your art between sessions instead.

Art therapy is flexible, collaborative, and designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’re ready to dive into the creative process or you’re just dipping a toe in, there’s space for you.

Question 3: Isn’t art therapy just for kids?

Nope. This is a common misconception, and I get why. Kids naturally reach for crayons or paint to express themselves, so it makes sense that people often associate art therapy with children. But the truth is, art therapy can be just as powerful—if not more so—for adults.

In fact, most of my clients are adult women and moms who are navigating stress, disconnection, or long-held patterns they’re ready to shift. For many of us, adulthood pulls us away from our natural creative instincts. Art therapy offers a way back—not just to creativity, but to yourself.

Art therapy is a nervous-system soother

It’s a space where you don’t have to explain everything in words. Instead, you get to slow down, connect with your body, and listen to what’s beneath the surface. The act of making art is soothing to the nervous system, and when you’re doing it alongside a trained art therapist, it becomes a safe, supportive space to explore what’s really going on—beyond the noise of everyday life.

Art therapy isn’t just for kids. It’s for anyone longing to feel more whole, more grounded, and more like themselves again.

Question 4: How is art therapy in Denver different from traditional talk therapy?

Art therapy includes many of the same elements as traditional talk therapy—like a safe, supportive relationship, deep exploration, and emotional processing—but it also brings something more: creativity. That creative piece invites in parts of your brain, body, and nervous system that words alone don’t always reach.

We can absolutely talk in session—but we also have the option to create, reflect, and explore through art-making. That might look like using colors, textures, or symbols to express something hard to name, or letting your hands do the work when words feel stuck. In this way, art therapy is often more embodied, intuitive, and layered than traditional talk therapy.

Art therapy is another tool in the toolbox

It’s also important to know that art therapy isn’t just about doing art in a therapeutic space—it’s a specialized approach led by a trained art therapist. Art therapists are trained to use materials and techniques safely and intentionally, so that the creative process supports your healing, rather than feeling overwhelming or uncontained.

In short: art therapy gives us another tool in the toolbox. One that can help you access deeper insight, regulate your nervous system, and connect with parts of yourself that have been waiting to be seen.

Question 5: Will you be analyzing my art?

Nope—I won’t be sitting there trying to “figure you out” based on your art. I don’t hold the magic—you do. My role as an art therapist is to be a compassionate guide, a curious question-asker, and an attuned witness to whatever you create.

Art therapy is like a mirror

I believe you carry your own inner wisdom, and the meaning of your art comes from you. I won’t tell you what your drawing or painting means—but I might notice certain shapes, colors, or themes and gently ask what they feel like for you. Together, we explore how you’re relating to your art and what emotions or insights are coming up.

The art you make becomes a kind of mirror—one that reflects back what’s already inside you, waiting to be seen and understood. I’m simply here to help you look, listen, and make meaning in a way that feels safe and empowering.

Ready to Explore Art Therapy in Denver for Yourself?

Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply longing to reconnect with yourself, art therapy in Denver can offer a gentle, creative path forward. I work with women and moms navigating transitions, healing from trauma, and finding their way back to wholeness.

If you’re in Denver or anywhere in Colorado, I offer both in-person and virtual sessions. Book a free 15-minute clarity session or download my free Therapeutic Art Guidebook to try a quick creative prompt you can do right now—no art skills needed.