The Art of Letting Go: Artmaking in the Therapy Space

A reflection on the difference between artmaking as a therapist and as an artist—and why creativity is our most powerful, and most human, tool for healing.

Artmaking in the art therapy space is a completely different experience from traditional art practice. As an art therapist, I've had to do a lot of unlearning—retraining myself to separate the instinctive, therapeutic act of making "art responses" from the creation of artworks with a finished product in mind. So what is the difference between an “art response” in the art therapy space and an artwork in an artist’s studio? It is the experience of responding to a thought or feeling using the art materials at hand. For example, in my “art response” below I gave myself the theme Freedom as a therapeutic goal and let myself go with the flow, noticing the process of painting on paper, rather than being concerned about what it would look like in the end; I just let it happen!

It’s been a challenge, honestly. Resisting the urge to create something for others to interpret—something that connects neatly to the broader art world or carries conceptual weight—has required a deep shift in mindset. Instead, I've learned to tune into the now, to let whatever needs to emerge take form without overthinking it. That’s been part of my transformation into an art therapist.

In therapy, art responses are about immediacy. It’s about allowing creativity to reveal itself without judgement. The final product isn’t the point—the experience and process are what matter. That’s the heart of art therapy: creativity as a healing force, not a performance. You don’t need to be an artist or even feel “creative” to engage. All it takes is a willingness to explore, to play, and to trust the process with the materials in front of you.

When we’re little, that line between “art” and “art response” is totally blurred. We create freely, unapologetically. But somewhere along the way, as we grow, we start absorbing messages about judgement, expectation, and critique. We start asking ourselves, “Is this good?” or worse, “Am I good at this?” Eventually, many of us stop making art altogether.

I believe we are all innately creative beings. But that natural creativity can get buried under the weight of a society that measures value in output, in perfection, in productivity. And yet—our creativity is one of our greatest resources. It’s not just a personal asset, it’s vital for our collective well-being.

So whether you’re in a therapy room or at your kitchen table with some pencils and scrap paper, I invite you to drop the need to “get it right.” Let your art unfold, moment by moment. There’s deep healing in that kind of surrender.

Freedom art response by Nicola Black

Written by Nicola Black, an art therapist and founder of Equanimity Arts, a space dedicated to creative healing, self-discovery, and emotional wellbeing through the art therapy process.