Art Therapy

Some experiences are hard to put into words. Stress, grief, anxiety, depression, and difficult life events can be hard to talk about directly, especially early in treatment or when emotions feel overwhelming. Art therapy offers another way in.

Art therapy combines talk therapy with creative expression. Guided by a trained and credentialed art therapist, clients use drawing, painting, collage, and other art-making to explore feelings, make sense of experiences, and build new ways of coping. Creating something, and then reflecting on it together, can open up conversations that are difficult to start with words alone.

Art therapy at Alliance Wellness Solutions is led by Diana Turner, MS, ATR-BC, LCPAT, a licensed and board certified art therapist.

No Artistic Experience Needed

Art therapy is not an art class, and there is no right or wrong way to take part. You do not need to be “good at art” or have any experience at all. The focus is on the process and what it brings up for you, not on the finished piece, and nothing you create is judged or graded.

Who Can Benefit From Art Therapy?

Art therapy can support people of all ages, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. It can be especially helpful for people who:

• Find it difficult to talk about their thoughts and feelings
• Have found traditional talk therapy hard to engage with
• Are managing anxiety, depression, or changes in mood
• Are working through grief, loss, or major life changes
• Have been through stressful or painful experiences
• Want to build self-esteem, self-awareness, and healthy coping skills
• Are older adults navigating health changes, isolation, or life transitions

Diana has worked with clients across a wide range of diagnoses and symptoms, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Much of her experience is with older adults.

What to Expect

Sessions blend conversation with creative work. Depending on your goals, a session might include a guided art activity, open-ended creative time, and a conversation about the process and what you noticed along the way.

Diana takes a person-centered approach, which means treatment is shaped around your interests, your needs, and your reasons for seeking support. Her background includes both individual and group therapy, and she engages clients verbally and nonverbally through the creative arts.

Therapy may focus on areas such as:

• Emotional Expression
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Esteem
• Coping Skills
• Stress Management
• Grief & Loss
• Life Transitions
• Self-Care
• Daily Functioning

Part of Your Overall Care

Art therapy works alongside the rest of your treatment rather than replacing it, and can complement services such as individual therapy, family therapy, or medication management. The goal is to help you recognize your strengths, see your potential to thrive, and improve how you feel and function day to day, in a safe and supportive environment.