Art and colour therapy: what the research says

Art therapy may help some people with low mood or worry, but studies are mostly small and low quality. Other uses are not well studied.

What a session is

A psychological therapy where you use art materials to express and explore feelings, guided by a trained art therapist. In the UK, 'art therapist' is a title protected by law.

What the research says

• Low mood: In a large review, mostly measuring mood and anxiety, art therapy improved some results, but most showed no change. Studies were low quality. Limited evidence · JAMA Netw Open, 2024
• Worry and anxiety: In a large review, mostly measuring mood and anxiety, art therapy improved some results, but most showed no change. Studies were low quality. Limited evidence · JAMA Netw Open, 2024
• Stress, grief, sleep, menopause, pain: Not studied for these needs in the sources we use. For long-term poor sleep, CBT for insomnia is the talking therapy with evidence. No good evidence yet · NCCIH, 2024

More on each need: Lift your mood · Feel calmer

Is it safe?

Check your therapist is registered with the HCPC, the UK regulator for art therapists. Exploring painful feelings can make you feel worse for a while, so tell your therapist. HCPC, 2025

Sessions on Sissoo complement medical care and never replace it. Please don’t stop or change any treatment without talking to your doctor. If you feel very low or think about ending your life, call your local emergency number now.

Checked 22 October 2026. Next check by April 2027. How we rate the evidence.