Art & Expressive Arts Therapy in Chicago

Art therapy and expressive arts therapy incorporate creative expression into the therapeutic process. Traditional art therapy typically focuses on visual art, such as drawing, painting, and collage. Expressive arts therapy may combine multiple forms of expression, including movement, writing, imagery, music, and drama.

At Balanced Awakening, our therapists draw on different creative approaches depending on their training and your individual needs. These experiences can complement talk therapy and offer additional ways to explore emotions, experiences, and personal growth.

Absolutely. Creative expression and conversation can work together. Some sessions may focus primarily on talking, while others incorporate art, writing, movement, or imagery.

Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine which approaches feel most useful and appropriate.

Art therapy sessions can be more focused on art making - or they can be more focused on talking while art making happens simultaneously or for part of the session. Your art therapist will customize sessions just for you, so you will have a say in how much art vs. how much talking you do in a session.

Not at all! You don’t need artistic talent, creative experience, or any particular skills to participate in art or expressive arts therapy.

The focus is on the process of exploration and self-expression—not the finished product. Your therapist will help you find activities that feel approachable and meaningful, and you can always discuss your comfort level before trying something new.

Art therapy provides an alternative avenue for emotions and self expression to emerge. Sometimes it can be really challenging to access and express things when you’re in your head. Art therapy gets you in your body, and allows your truth to emerge through your hands instead.

Art therapy can be a shorter or longer term therapy, depending on your preferences. Most people will feel better after a few months of art therapy sessions that happen once/week. Others will find it helpful to come to art therapy every other week for a year or longer. The duration and frequency of art therapy is determined by you with the help of your art therapist.

Our art therapy rate for the first two sessions is $250. After that, 55 minute sessions are $225.

Most of our art therapists are in network with United Healthcare/Optum, BCBS PPO and Aetna insurance.

Absolutely! Sometimes when we hear about art therapy, the focus is on how it helps kids. But did you also know that it can have a profoundly positive impact on the lives of adults? Sometimes as adults it can be more difficult to access fun, joy, play, and creative expression which are all very important parts of mental health and well-being. Art therapy can help adults tap into the flow of joy, fun, and creativity.

Art therapy generally uses visual art as a central part of psychotherapy, while expressive arts therapy may incorporate several creative modalities, such as movement, writing, drama, imagery, and visual art.

Both approaches can support emotional exploration and self-understanding. The specific techniques used depend on your therapist’s training, therapeutic approach, and your goals.

Yes! Balanced Awakening offers virtual therapy throughout Illinois, and some of our therapists incorporate art or expressive arts approaches into online sessions.

Depending on the activity, you may use simple materials you already have at home. Your therapist can help you explore options that work well in a virtual setting.

Yes. While both may involve creative activities, art therapy takes place within a therapeutic relationship and focuses on emotional exploration, self-understanding, and mental health goals.

You aren’t being taught to produce a particular type of artwork, and your therapist isn’t evaluating your artistic ability. The emphasis is on your experience rather than the finished product.