Not everyone processes emotions with words. For some people, talk therapy is exactly the right fit. For others, especially those dealing with anxiety, trauma, grief, or difficult life transitions, the path to healing runs through something less verbal and more intuitive.
That’s where art therapy comes in.
Art therapy in Northbrook is more available than many people realize, and at Here & Now Mental Wellness, it’s one of our core services. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. This post is for anyone who’s curious about what art therapy actually is, what the research says about it, and whether it might be the right fit for you or someone you love.
Key Takeaways
- Art therapy is a clinically recognized mental health treatment, not an art class. No artistic skill or experience required.
- Research shows 45 minutes of art making can measurably reduce cortisol levels in most participants.
- Art therapy is effective for anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, life transitions, and more.
- Children, adolescents, and adults all benefit.
- It works well as a standalone treatment or paired with talk therapy and psychiatry.
- Here & Now Mental Wellness is in-network with Aetna, BlueCross Blue Shield PPO, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Flexible scheduling and teletherapy options are available.
What art therapy is, and what it isn’t
Art therapy isn’t an art class. You don’t need talent, training, or any prior experience with making art. The goal isn’t to produce something beautiful. It’s to use the creative process as a tool for self-expression, self-awareness, and healing.
A licensed art therapist guides you through that process. The artwork itself becomes a way to explore thoughts and feelings that might be hard to access through conversation alone. Sometimes emotions that feel stuck or hard to name show up differently when you’re working with paint, clay, or pencil. That’s not a metaphor. It’s a clinically recognized phenomenon, and there’s solid research to back it up.
What the research says
The evidence base for art therapy has grown considerably in recent years, particularly for anxiety, depression, and trauma.
A peer-reviewed study published in the Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found that 75% of participants’ cortisol levels lowered during just 45 minutes of art making, regardless of their prior experience or skill level. Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone, and that kind of measurable physiological response after a single session is significant.
For children and adolescents, the findings are particularly compelling. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found that art therapy significantly reduces depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. A separate 2025 systematic review found that art therapy improves emotional regulation in young people, with participants managing difficult emotions through the artmaking process and reporting a greater sense of calm.
For trauma, research published in Frontiers in Psychiatry supports art therapy as an effective intervention for children and adolescents with PTSD, pointing to its ability to provide a non-verbal outlet for processing traumatic memories.
Broader reviews of art therapy’s role in mental health rehabilitation have found that it supports self-expression, self-awareness, personal development, and improved communication across age groups and conditions.
Who art therapy can help
Art therapy is genuinely for everyone. You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit, and you don’t have to be a child. At Here & Now, we work with clients across all ages and life stages. Art therapy can be helpful for:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression
- Trauma and PTSD
- Grief and loss
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Relationship challenges
- Life transitions
- Personal growth and self-exploration
If you’ve tried talk therapy and felt like something was missing, or if you’ve been hesitant to start therapy at all because sitting and talking feels daunting, art therapy offers a different entry point. The creative process can lower defenses and open up conversations that might not happen otherwise.
What a session looks like
Every session is different, and that’s by design. Our art therapists are trauma-informed and tailor each session to where you are and what you need. You might work with paint, drawing, collage, or sculpture. The medium matters less than the process.
Nothing is graded or evaluated for artistic merit. The therapist guides the experience and helps you explore what comes up, at your pace, in a supportive and non-judgmental space.
Sessions can stand on their own or be integrated with other treatment modalities. Pairing art therapy with talk therapy or psychiatric care often accelerates progress, since each approach addresses different dimensions of mental wellness.
Art therapy in Northbrook: what Here & Now offers
If you’re looking for art therapy in Northbrook, Here & Now Mental Wellness offers a welcoming, clinically grounded environment where creative expression and mental health care work together.
Our art therapists are trauma-informed and experienced in working with clients across all ages and life stages. Sessions are tailored to you. There’s no script, no agenda, and no artistic standard to meet. Just a safe, supportive space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface.
Art therapy at Here & Now can stand on its own or be integrated into a broader care plan alongside talk therapy, psychiatry, somatic therapy, and other modalities we offer. For many clients, that combination is where the real breakthroughs happen.
We’re located at 333 Skokie Blvd, Suite 108-109 in Northbrook and serve clients throughout the northern suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, Glenview, Highland Park, Winnetka, Wilmette, and beyond. Here & Now is in-network with Aetna, BlueCross Blue Shield PPO, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. While being in-network means we have a contractual agreement to accept negotiated rates, you may still be responsible for copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs after your claim is processed. We recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card to verify your specific coverage before your first appointment. Early, late, and weekend appointments are available, and teletherapy is an option if you prefer to work from home.
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel like a big deal. We get that. If you’ve been thinking about art therapy in Northbrook and want to learn more, we’re here to answer your questions and help you figure out if it’s the right fit. Email us at hello@herenowmw.com or call (847) 450-6393 to connect with our team.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be artistic to try art therapy?
Not at all. Art therapy has nothing to do with artistic skill or experience. The focus is entirely on the process of creating, not the quality of the finished product. Clients of all backgrounds and abilities benefit from art therapy, and your therapist will guide you through every step.
How is art therapy different from regular therapy?
Talk therapy relies primarily on verbal communication to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Art therapy uses the creative process as an additional pathway for self-expression and healing. It’s especially helpful for clients who find it difficult to put their experiences into words, or who want to complement talk therapy with a different kind of therapeutic work.
Can art therapy be combined with other treatments?
Yes, and it often works best that way. Pairing art therapy with talk therapy or psychiatric care can accelerate and deepen the healing process. At Here & Now, our collaborative care model means your treatment team can coordinate across modalities to support your overall wellness.
Is art therapy appropriate for children?
Yes. Art therapy is particularly well-suited for children and adolescents who may not yet have the verbal skills or emotional vocabulary to express what they’re experiencing. The creative process gives younger clients a natural, accessible way to communicate feelings that might be hard to put into words. At Here & Now, we work with clients of all ages including children and teens.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your goals and where you are in your healing journey. Some clients come for a focused short-term period around a specific event or transition. Others find art therapy valuable as an ongoing part of their mental wellness routine. Your therapist will work with you to set goals and check in on your progress along the way.
Is art therapy available via teletherapy?
Yes. Here & Now offers teletherapy options for clients who prefer to work from home or who are unable to come into our Northbrook office.
