Resources
Expressive Arts Therapy weaves together visual art, music, movement, writing, and imagination to support emotional healing, resilience, and self-discovery. Grounded in both research and lived experience, this intermodal approach invites creative expression as a pathway to integration and transformation. It can stand alone or serve as a powerful complement to traditional models of therapy.
Studies show that engaging in the arts can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance cognitive function and confidence while fostering a greater sense of agency—particularly during times of change, healing, or personal growth.
Below is a selection of articles, research studies, and resources that highlight the healing power of the arts.
World Health Organization (WHO), 2019
This landmark scoping review by WHO synthesizes evidence from over 3,000 studies and concludes that the arts have significant impact on prevention, treatment, and overall well-being across the lifespan. It explores arts-based interventions in mental health, trauma recovery, child development, caregiving, and more.
Arts and Culture: A Necessary Component to Well-Being
This 2023 peer-reviewed article highlights how integrating arts and culture into healthcare and social systems—through initiatives like CultureRx and Creative Forces—can address unmet social needs, promote equity, and support individual and community well-being.
Supporting Youth Mental Health with Arts-Based Strategies: A Global Perspective
This open-access BMC Medicine opinion piece (published January 3, 2024) highlights the youth mental health crisis and advocates for arts‑ and culture‑based approaches as scalable, cost-effective interventions. It reviews evidence showing how creative engagement strengthens resilience, community connection, and psychological well-being—especially in low-resource settings. The article concludes with a four‑step roadmap: elevate youth voice, standardize outcome measures, study successful global models, and secure dedicated research funding
National Organization for Arts in Health: Arts, Health, and Well-Being in America
A comprehensive report by the National Organization for Arts in Health (NOAH) that explores how arts contribute to mental health, social connection, and overall well-being. This resource highlights the growing recognition of creative practices as vital to health care and community resilience.
2020 Vision: Expressive Arts Therapy
In this Psychology Today article, therapist and author Dr. Cathy Malchiodi offers a compelling look at the future of expressive arts therapy, emphasizing its role in trauma recovery, resilience, and community healing. A great introduction to the power of multimodal creative expression in mental health care.
International Arts + Mind Lab, Johns Hopkins University
The Arts + Mind Lab is a multidisciplinary research-to-practice initiative from the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins. It explores how the arts impact the brain and behavior, using scientific research to advance the field of neuroaesthetics and promote arts-based solutions for health, learning, and well-being.
A global, community-driven digital hub built by the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative (Johns Hopkins + Aspen Institute) that unites research, clinical applications, funding, events, and professionals across the emerging field of neuroarts. Explore toolkits, tool guides, a searchable library and directory, and a vibrant bulletin board fostering collaboration at the intersection of arts, neuroscience, and health
UF Center for Arts in Medicine
The University of Florida's Center for Arts in Medicine is a national leader in integrating the arts into health care and public health. Through education, research, and community programs, the center advances the role of the arts in improving individual and collective well-being.
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA)
IEATA supports expressive arts therapists, artists, and educators around the world by providing professional standards, networking opportunities, and a global community of practice. Their site includes information on certification, events, and educational resources for those interested in the intermodal expressive arts field.