Art Therapy for Eating Disorders

Eating disorders take up so much space that you might feel disconnected from your true self. Art therapy helps you access the qualities that make you unique. It can also help you face the parts of yourself that you judge or repress. Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, and art therapy can help bring them to the surface. Are you looking to deepen your eating disorder recovery journey? Art therapy can help you access your inner wisdom and heal.

What is art therapy?

Art therapy is a treatment approach that incorporates the creative process, psychological theory and one’s lived experience. Art therapy is founded on the idea that creativity is innate, and the process of making art is healing. Art therapy is beneficial for people of all ages and is used to treat a variety of issues including body image, anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating, and other eating disorders.

Do I need to be good at art?

Artistic background is not required to experience the benefits of art therapy. You don’t need to be “artsy” or think of yourself as a creative person. There is no right or wrong way to make art in art therapy. The artistic process doesn’t need to lead to something you would display (though you can if you wanted to!). You don’t need to make art that is pretty, perfect or even understand what comes up. Sometimes the most effective work comes from unexpected places. You may be offered the chance to try different art materials, but no skill is required.

What does a session look like?

Art therapy sessions are 60 minutes or 90 minutes long. Your treatment goals and comfort level will set the tone on how we get started. Sessions would begin with an art directive that we come up with together. If you’re not sure where to start, I can suggest prompts that relate to your treatment goals.

The second half of the session would be a conversation about your artwork. I would guide the discussion while always centering what the artwork means to you. Talking is just as important as the art-making. Art therapy can help you find the words that were previous not accessible.

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Is art therapy available for virtual sessions?

Yes! Art therapy is offered for in person and telehealth. The only difference is you would need to provide your own supplies for telehealth. A lot can be done with basic drawing supplies such colored pencils and paper.