Understanding Art Therapy Assessment

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

How do art therapists decide what kind of art therapy is best for each person? The process of assessment plays a vital role in helping clients begin their therapeutic journey. Art therapists carefully consider whether an individual might benefit more from one-to-one sessions, a group setting, or an open studio environment.

In exploring these questions, we look at how art therapists describe their assessment practices and how they determine “what works best for whom.” In the United Kingdom, art therapy assessments are often guided by psychodynamic principles that value reflection, emotional awareness, and the therapeutic relationship. These assessments help identify a person’s readiness for therapy, their motivation for change, and their capacity for creative expression.

In the United States, some art therapists also use structured, art-based assessment tools to understand clients’ strengths, challenges, and ways of relating to the world through art. Together, these diverse approaches contribute to a growing evidence base for art therapy, helping the field evolve while maintaining its deep respect for individual experience and creative exploration.