According to the American Art Therapy Association, "Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change."
Art therapy uses the creative process to explore underlying issues through the use of art materials. In an art therapy session, there is a focus on the process of making art, rather than the finished product. Art therapy does not require an individual to be artistic, and is appropriate for individuals of all ages. It is used to further explore, for better understanding and processing, when words are not enough.