Since my “real job” sometimes involves working with people with severe psychiatric disorders and—in many cases—terrible histories of abuse, I can say that I am of two minds regarding Art as a formal therapeutic discipline. I’m not aware of much empirical research in support of Art Therapy.

On the one hand, I believe in therapeutic approaches that are evidence-based. That is, they are supported by an extensive body of scientific research, published in well-recognized peer-reviewed journals. On the other hand, I’ve worked with art therapists who do excellent work and sometimes help to gain useful insights into the behavior of individuals who have severe psychological problems. It can therefore function as a useful adjunct to other, more empirically-validated approaches. I have never found Art Therapy (as opposed to making art) to be of much value for individuals with autism or other developmental disorders.

As an artist, of course, I believe intuitively in the power of art. As a professional, I’ve seen a lot of therapies that make intuitive sense turn out to be hogwash.