Visual expression has been used for healing throughout history, but art therapy did not emerge as a distinct profession until the 1940s. In the early 20th century, psychiatrists became interested in the artwork created by their patients with mental illness. At around the same time, educators were discovering that children's art expressions reflected developmental, emotional, and cognitive growth. By mid-century, hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers increasingly began to include art therapy programs along with traditional "talk therapies," underscoring the recognition that the creative process of art making enhanced recovery, health, and wellness. As a result, the profession of art therapy grew into an effective and important method of communication, assessment, and treatment with children and adults in a variety of settings. Currently, the field of art therapy has gained attention in health-care facilities throughout the Canada and within psychiatry, psychology, counseling, education, and the arts.

Art Therapy uses the nonverbal language of art for personal growth, insight and transformation. It is a means of connecting what is inside us – our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions - with outer realities and life experiences. The purpose of Art Therapy is much the same as in any other psychotherapeutic modality: to improve or maintain mental health and emotional well-being. It is based on the belief that images can help us to understand who we are, to express feelings and ideas that words cannot and enhance life through self-expression and creativity.

Art therapy involves helping children and adults become self-aware and deal with emotional and psychological issues through a collaborative process, utilizing simple art materials such as tempra paint, oil pastels, chalk pastels, markers, and clay. In this process, the art therapist facilitates the client’s non-verbal and verbal expression and understanding of the thematic patterns emerging through the art, helping their clients to discover what underlying thoughts, feelings and significance are being communicated in the artwork . Through this process, clients will not only gain insight and judgment, but develop a better understanding of themselves and the way they relate to the people around them.

At some point in their lives, people may find themselves overwhelmed by the intensity of their emotions which are difficult to face either by themselves or with others. Art therapy offers an opportunity to explore these intense or painful thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment. Art Therapy can be an individual activity but can also be successfully used in group situations.