Are art therapy and art class the same thing?
It’s a common question—and the answer might surprise you. While both involve creativity, paint, and paper, they serve very different purposes.
If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between art therapy vs art class, you’re not alone. While both involve creativity and art-making, they serve very different purposes.
In todays post I will do my best to explain how art therapy vs art class compare, and why it’s important to understand their unique benefits.
1.The Relationship in Art Therapy vs. Art Class
At the heart of art therapy lies a professional therapeutic relationship between the client and a trained art therapist. This relationship is built on trust, confidentiality, and clinical intention. The Art therapist is not just guiding the art-making process but is also helping the client explore emotions, trauma, behavior patterns, or mental health concerns through creative expression.
The Art therapist is often a licensed mental health professional with graduate-level training in both psychotherapy and art.
In contrast, an art class centers around an instructor-student relationship, where the primary focus is on teaching techniques, skills, and art theory.
While supportive and encouraging, this relationship lacks the emotional depth, ethical boundaries, and clinical goals found in therapy.
The teacher is there to educate and guide artistic development—not to explore psychological issues or provide emotional support.
In my opinion, the difference in relationships is one of the most defining factors that separates art therapy from art education.
But there are more aspects that seperate Art Therapy from Art class and it’s important for people to know.
By the way, if you are enjoying this post and want to know more about Art Therapy and need ideas to get started with some art therapy exercises, you might also like my post about 120 art therapy ideas or want to check out my self paced Art therapy courses on Udemy.
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2.The Environment and Space – Privacy vs. Public Setting
Earlier, we spoke about how the relationship is a crucial factor that seperates art therapy and art class, but I also want to focus on the aspect of the space and setting that are provided.
So let’s dive in:
Another major difference between art therapy and art classes is the setting in which they take place.
Art therapy takes place in a safe, private, and confidential environment. Whether one-on-one or in a small group, the space is intentionally designed to foster emotional safety and trust. This kind of space allows clients to be vulnerable, creative, and open without judgment.
Art classes, on the other hand, usually happen in public or semi-public settings like schools, community centers, or studios. These spaces are meant for learning, socializing, and creative exploration — not deep personal reflection. They may have observers, group participation, and fewer boundaries.
Check out my FREE Art Therapy Worksheets, especially made for someone who struggles with overthinking!
Beautiful infographic by Felicia Moholland
3.The Goal of Art Therapy vs. Art Class
The main goal of art therapy is emotional expression and self-awareness. The process of making art helps clients communicate feelings they may not have words for.
There’s no pressure to create something beautiful or technically perfect and that’s what I love about Art Therapy!
What matters is the inner experience and the insights that arise through creating.
In an art class, the focus is on learning something new — like a painting technique, drawing skills, or art history.
Students are encouraged to follow instructions, experiment with materials, and improve their craft.
While the process can be enjoyable and even healing, it’s not designed with emotional exploration in mind.
I think both methods have their values and are beneficial.
Amazing Image by Art As Therapy
4. Art Therapy Materials vs. Art Class Materials
I’ve already pointed out the most important aspects to help you destinguish between Art therapy and Art class, but there are more things I want to talk about.
You might ask are there differences in the materials you choose as an art therapist or an art teacher? Well yes!
In Art therapy, materials are chosen for their emotional or sensory potential. For example, soft pastels may encourage free expression, while clay might offer a grounding, tactile experience.
In Art Therapy, there’s no right or wrong way to use materials. The Art therapist may suggest certain media based on what a client needs that day — freedom, control, movement, or comfort.
In an Art class, materials are chosen based on the technical skill being taught. Students may be expected to follow specific steps and use materials in a certain way. There might be feedback or corrections, which makes sense in a learning context but could feel restrictive in a therapeutic one.
5.The End Result in Art Therapy vs. Art Class
Okay, I know before I sounded as if I already mentioned the most important aspects, but actually I would say they are all equally important.
Because we need to talk about enjoying the end results, the outcome in art therapy and art class.
In art therapy, the journey is the destination — the act of making art, expressing emotions, and reflecting on the process is where the healing happens. Unlike in an art class, where the final result often matters most, in art therapy, there’s no right or wrong outcome.
Its really simple, if you go to an art class, lets say to learn how to draw realistic faces, you will learn the right skills to do so, you will also receive feedback on how well you used the methods that were explained by the teacher- but noone will ask about your feelings.
In Art Therapy its the other way around, noone will grade you or give you feedback on the end result. You will be able to talk about your feelings and the end result may help you with self reflection (individually or in a group) but the approach is totally different.
So let’s summarize:
In art therapy, the final artwork is often viewed as a mirror of the client’s inner world. The focus is not on how it looks, but on what it represents or how it felt to create. The meaning of the artwork is determined by the client — not judged or interpreted by others unless invited.
In art education, the finished piece is usually the focus. Students aim to create a visually pleasing or technically accurate piece, often following examples or teacher direction. This can build artistic confidence, but it’s a very different goal than the self-reflective outcome of therapy.
Beautiful Art found on Mindsjournal
6. Art Therapists and Art Educators have different qualifications
This one is obvious but I thought I’d add it to the list.
One of the major distinctions in the Licensed Art Therapist vs. Art Teacher comparison lies in their professional training.
A Licensed Art Therapist must hold a Master’s degree in Art Therapy or a closely related field, complete hundreds of supervised clinical hours, and earn licensure or certification depending on the country.
In contrast, an Art Teacher or Art Educator typically holds a degree in fine arts or education and is trained in teaching methodology rather than therapeutic techniques.
I got my Bachelors Degree in Art Therapy in Nijmegen, a dutch university.
7. Verbal Processing – Art Therapy Reflections vs. Art Class Discussions
In art therapy, verbal reflection is often a key part of the process. Clients may be invited to talk about their artwork as a window into emotions, trauma, or unconscious thoughts.
In contrast, art instructors encourage class discussions around technique, color theory, and visual style—but not personal emotional content.
8.Art Assessment in Art Therapy vs. Art Classrooms
As I have mentioned previously, Art therapy never involves grading or judgment. Instead, the artwork of the client is explored for emotional content or psychological symbolism. A Licensed Art Therapist may use a piece to understand patterns or emotional states. The art piece can be very useful for the self reflection part.
An Art Teacher, however, evaluates based on technique, creativity, and how well students meet learning goals.
9. Confidentiality – Ethics of an Art Therapist vs. Art Educator
A Licensed Art Therapist must follow strict confidentiality laws and ethical standards, such as HIPAA, due to their role in mental health care. This ensures a safe and private space for clients.
An Art Teacher, though still professional and supportive, operates in a public or classroom setting where privacy isn’t guaranteed.
10. Team Collaboration – Mental Health Team vs. Education Team
You already know the most important differences between Art therapy and Art class. But let’s look at one more aspect:
Being in an art therapy session feels very different from joining an art class.
Art therapy offers a calm, private, emotionally safe space, where the goal is self-exploration and healing. The pace is guided by the client’s needs.
In contrast, an art class is often more structured, social, and goal-oriented—focused on learning techniques, completing assignments, or collaborating with others.
Both can be creative, but the intention and emotional depth differ greatly.
Beautiful Art Therapy Infographic by Starlah Rose
Let’s summarize the Key Differences Between Art Therapy and Art Class
Art Therapy or Art Class-Which One Is Right for You?
Choose art therapy if you’re looking for a safe space to process emotions, cope with stress or trauma, or explore your inner world with the help of a trained professional.
Choose an art class if you want to learn new skills, develop your creativity, or enjoy a relaxing and social activity and make new friends that share the same hobby.
Both have value — and sometimes, people enjoy both at different times in their lives.
Final Thoughts: Why the Difference Between Art Therapy and Art Class Matters
Understanding the difference between art therapy and an art class is essential — not because one is better than the other, but because they serve very different purposes.
If you’re seeking personal growth, emotional healing, or support through difficult life experiences, art therapy offers a safe, confidential space guided by a trained therapist. The focus is not on the finished artwork, but on the creative journey itself — because in art therapy, the journey is the destination.
On the other hand, if your goal is to develop new techniques, learn how to paint or draw, and explore your creativity through structure, an art class may be exactly what you need. It can be fulfilling, fun, and even therapeutic in its own way — but it’s not therapy.
Both paths have value. It’s all about knowing what you need most right now.
Many people have never heard of Art Therapy before, its still quite fresh in many communities, that’s why Is totally normal for people to ask questions and to be curious were the real differences are.
Check out Artherapy.org if you want to know what the American Art Therapy Association writes about Art Therapy and all its benefits.
I hope this post helped you understand the differences, please share the post with friends !
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