Clinical Applications of Art

Abstract

Unconventional approaches to treating mental disorders benefit patients unresponsive to traditional treatments. Psychologists have recently been exploring the effectiveness and feasibility of art therapy as a PTSD treatment. While research on art therapy requires further exploration through large-scale studies, art therapy holds promise as an innovative PTSD treatment; art therapy compensates for the inherent limitations of traditional PTSD treatments. Combining art therapy techniques and traditional exposure-based methods allows for holistic rehabilitation from an integrated approach.  Clinicians should continue to explore and integrate new approaches to psychopathology into treatment plans.