Why Creativity Is Therapeutic: An Honest Conversation About Art Therapy, Burnout & the Healing Power of Making Stuff
You don’t have to be “good at art” for creativity to change your life.
In fact, as therapists, creativity might be one of the most underutilized tools we have—for ourselves and for our clients. I sat down with art therapist Amelia Knott (she/her) from Art Therapy in Real Life for a deep, playful, and eye-opening conversation on how art therapy works, why creativity is therapeutic, and how continuing education for counselors and therapists can include expressive approaches that feel… well, actually healing.
This isn’t about finger-painting for fun (though that’s great, too). It’s about reclaiming creative expression as a tool for processing emotions, regulating the nervous system, and preventing burnout.
Why Is Creativity Therapeutic?
We all kind of know that creativity is good for us. But Amelia broke it down:
- Creativity gives us more than just cognitive tools—it taps into metaphor, texture, color, shape.
- Some experiences don’t fit neatly into words; creative work makes space for the unspoken.
- Making something with your hands helps you feel your way through emotion, not just analyze it.
Amelia says, “It gives us a way to take something from inside us and put it out in the world.” And that alone is wildly therapeutic.
But I’m Not Artistic…
Yep, we went there. I (Allison) shared how I grew up with artist parents and a middle school art teacher who once said, “Well, you didn’t get your mom’s genes, did you?” Cue the shutdown.
Amelia’s take? “We’ve internalized the idea that creativity only counts if you’re talented. That it has to be ‘good’ or worth selling. But the truth is, the process of creating is often where the healing happens.”
And she’s not just talking about paint and clay. Creativity shows up in:
- The way you arrange a playlist.
- What you post (or cry about) on social media.
- Your love of improv or journaling or doodling during supervision.
What’s the Difference Between Art Therapy and Just… Doing Art?
Great question.
Art therapy = psychotherapy. It’s a protected title that requires a master’s-level education, specialized training, and supervision. Art therapists are trained to guide clients safely through emotional processing using visual materials.
Amelia clarified:
“Using art as a calming tool is different from using it to explore and process trauma. That deeper work? That’s where art therapy training is essential.”
If you’re a talk therapist curious about using art in session, here’s what’s safe:
- Mindfulness-based art (like drawing spirals with breath)
- Fidgets or sensory objects during hard conversations
- Creative coping tools that don’t require interpretation
What’s not safe? Asking clients to interpret metaphors or process trauma through art without the training to do so.
Art Therapy in Action: The Paper Sculpture Activity
Amelia led us through a playful, low-stakes experiential art moment—using only 3 sheets of paper.
Here’s what we did:
- Crumpled one.
- Folded another.
- Tore the third.
And then, we noticed. Which felt like us? Which didn’t? What emerged emotionally or somatically?
Even this simple exercise revealed layers of self-awareness—and Amelia shared how, in actual art therapy, this kind of work can deepen into insight, metaphor, and healing.
How Creativity Helped Me (Allison) Out of Burnout
In 2021, I was exhausted. Like many therapists, the weight of obligation (work, family, bills) and the collective trauma of the pandemic had drained me dry. I missed fun. So I signed up for a beginner’s improv class.
And it saved me.
- I played for the first time in years.
- I didn’t have to prepare or perform.
- I was silly and present—and it didn’t matter how I did.
Amelia nodded knowingly: “Play is the opposite of trauma. And when your job is emotional labor, you need something that is selfish in the best possible way.”
Creative Practices for Therapists to Prevent Burnout
Here’s what Amelia recommends:
- Protect a creative time just for you (take a class, schedule art dates, gather supplies).
- Try post-session art. Draw what’s sticking with you, then mindfully dispose of it as closure.
- Use tactile materials mindfully. A crayon, Sharpie, or clay can ground you in seconds.
- Join or start a creative peer group. Knit on Zoom. Collage in community. It counts.
- Honor the process. Even how you store or destroy your art can be a metaphor for healing.
A Few Important Notes About Ethics & Art in Therapy
If you’re a therapist and want to bring creativity into sessions (without calling it art therapy), Amelia suggests:
- Keep it in the realm of mindfulness and coping—not interpretation or trauma work.
- Respect HIPAA. Yes, even that crumpled paper sculpture is considered PHI.
- Be mindful of what materials might activate or overwhelm clients (e.g., watercolors vs. markers).
- Let clients interpret their own work. Stay curious instead of assigning meaning.
Final Thoughts: Why CEs for Therapists Should Include Creativity
As therapists, we spend so much time in the land of language, insight, and holding space for others. But we also deserve access to our own expressive outlets—especially as a form of self-care and prevention against burnout.
Amelia reminded us:
“There’s a huge body of research on the value of art therapy. It’s not just light or playful. It’s psychotherapy. It’s healing. And for many of us, it’s life-saving.”
If you’re ready to explore more creative ways to deepen your work—or care for yourself—check out the full training on Not Boring CEs. It’s legit continuing education for counselors and therapists that won’t bore you to tears.
You’ll walk away with insights, tools, and maybe even a little piece of yourself you haven’t seen in a while.
PS: If you’re curious about becoming an art therapist, Amelia has a full webinar on the education and credentialing process—exclusive discount for Not Boring CEs folks included.
