Art Therapy: When Words Aren't Enough
Art Therapy: When Words Aren't Enough
Online Art Therapy in Illinois and Colorado
Online Art Therapy in Illinois and Colorado
ANTHEM | BCBS | AENTA | CIGNA
CARELON | ASCENSION | PRIVATE PAY
Some feelings are hard to explain out loud. You might know something is weighing on you and still not have the words for it, or you might have talked about the same thing so many times that it has stopped feeling useful. Art Therapy gives you another way in. Through drawing, painting, collage, and other simple creative work, you and your therapist explore what's going on beneath the surface at a pace that feels manageable. At Lotus, we offer online Art Therapy for individuals in Illinois and Colorado.
ANTHEM | BCBS | AETNA | CIGNA | CARELON | ASCENSION | PRIVATE PAY
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a form of counseling that uses the creative process as part of therapy. Instead of relying only on conversation, you create something during or between sessions, then talk with your therapist about the experience of making it and what came up along the way.
The focus is never on how the finished piece looks. A scribble can say as much as a detailed painting. What matters is what the process brings to the surface, the choices you made, and what you notice when you step back and look at it. Many people find that creating first and talking second makes difficult topics feel less overwhelming and more approachable.
What Art Therapy Helps With
Art Therapy can support individuals working through a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, stress and burnout, life transitions, low self esteem, and difficulty identifying or expressing emotions.
It can be especially helpful if you tend to intellectualize your feelings, if traditional talk therapy has felt stuck, or if certain experiences feel too big or too painful to describe directly. Creating gives those experiences a shape you can look at together with your therapist, which can make them easier to understand and work through.
What Art Therapy Sessions Look Like
Sessions blend conversation and creative work. Your therapist might invite you to draw how a feeling sits in your body, create a collage about where you are now and where you want to be, or simply make marks on a page while you talk. Other times, a session may be mostly conversation about something you created earlier in the week.
You will never be asked to make something "good," and you are always free to set the materials aside and just talk. Your therapist will check in about what feels comfortable and adjust the pace to fit you.
Art Therapy’s Effectiveness
Research on Art Therapy continues to grow, and studies have found it can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, support trauma recovery, and improve emotional regulation and overall quality of life. One frequently cited study found that 45 minutes of art making lowered cortisol, a stress hormone, in about three quarters of participants, and prior artistic experience made no difference in the results.
Art Therapy also works well alongside other approaches. Your therapist can bring in skills and ideas from other modalities when they fit your goals, so your care reflects what you actually need.
Online Art Therapy in Illinois and Colorado
Art Therapy works well online. You don't need special supplies. Paper, pens, colored pencils, markers, or whatever you already have at home is enough to begin, and your therapist can suggest simple materials if you'd like to try something new. During sessions, you can hold your work up to the camera or share a photo of it, and some people also enjoy using digital drawing tools.
Creating in your own space can make the process feel more comfortable and private. Lotus accepts Anthem, BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Carelon, Ascension, and many EAP plans. Private pay options are also available.
Meet Our Art Therapist
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Not at all. Art Therapy isn't about talent or making something beautiful. It's about the process of creating and what that process helps you notice and express. Stick figures, scribbles, and shapes are all welcome.
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Basic supplies you already have at home are enough to start, such as paper, pens, pencils, or markers. Your therapist can suggest a few simple, affordable materials if you want to explore more, but nothing expensive is required.
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You create during the session or between sessions, then share your work by holding it up to the camera or sending a photo. Your therapist guides the process and helps you reflect on what you made and what came up while making it.
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No. Art Therapy is used with people of all ages.
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At Lotus, Art Therapy is part of individual counseling, so it's generally billed the same way as other therapy sessions. We accept Anthem, BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Carelon, Ascension, and many EAP plans. Private pay options are also available.
Ready to Take the First Step?
You've already done something brave by looking for support. Our experienced therapists are here to help you move forward, at a pace that works for you. Reach out today to get matched with a therapist and schedule your first session.
