Using AI Imaging in Art Therapy Sessions

These days, AI is getting a lot of attention, even in the mental health field. People have a lot of opinions about it, but I read this article from an art therapist who uses AI imaging as another option for clients to make visual art in their sessions by describing prompts. She noted this seems to be especially helpful for clients who do not feel they are artistic in any way. I am including the article below.

What are your thoughts about using AI imaging in art therapy sessions?

https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/article/supercharging-art-therapy-with-ai/

Supercharging Art Therapy with AI

A Surprising New Tool to Enhance Trauma Healing

Jocelyn Fitzgerald

July/August 2025 

Psychotherapy Networker Magazine Edition

Q: Many of my more cognitive, intellectual clients struggle to access emotions, even when they’re committed to trauma recovery. Are there any accessible, creative techniques that might help them go deeper?

A: As a trauma therapist, long-time EMDR consultant, and registered art therapist, I’ve found that art and collage-making offer a low-barrier, effective way to work through blocks to entrenched trauma memories. In fact, my clients often tell me the sessions they remember most are ones where we’ve made art together, images they could take home and work on between sessions. As a therapist, I can relate: although I may forget what clients say after a few months, I always remember the imagery they create.

But even highly creative clients sometimes balk at using traditional art therapy tools in conjunction with EMDR because they feel shame or self-judgement about painting or drawing. Plus, using AI art therapeutically is still a novel idea in the field of art therapy, and many art therapists believe it’s risky and may dampen creativity. Initially, I too had doubts. Then, a middle school principal I was working with brought an AI image he’d created to one of our sessions and it changed everything. The image was of a man standing inside a hollowed-out heart, shoveling pieces of it into buckets being held by a long line of people. “When I showed this to my wife,” he told me, “she got how I was feeling about my job, and my life, for the first time.” I too was moved.

Since then, I’ve been experimenting with AI art as a therapeutic tool to do what all forms of expressive art therapy do: help clients access their imagination through metaphors that reflect blocked emotional experiences. In bypassing their analytical thinking, they can foster deeper emotional insight and experience a more accessible, visual, and intuitive way of healing.

“Jot down whatever’s bubbling up for you,” I said. “Then press enter. It’s that simple.”

Here are a few of the benefits of using AI art to help clients generate these metaphors. It’s efficient. Clients can work quickly, saving time and getting a dopamine hit within a few minutes. It can boost creativity by allowing clients to quickly create unexpected elements, enhance ideas, and combine different concepts. Customization allows clients to quickly create a visual representation of a problem or situation they resonate with, adjusting the particulars of images to fit elements of their identity that are important to them, such as skin types, gender, and any other elements unique to them. Finally, it’s cost-efficient. The availability of so many free AI tools makes this method well-suited to projects inside and outside of therapy.

Needing to Be Perfect

Harper, a female client in her late 30s felt alone and misunderstood. “I don’t have the words for what I’ve gone through,” she said, referring to her childhood trauma and the way her family had always dismissed it. “My heart hurts constantly.”

When I asked if she might be willing to try to create an image of what her heart feels like, she dismissed the idea. “I can’t do art,” she responded. “It’s too frustrating. I get pictures in my head, but they never come out right on paper.”

“I hear you,” I said. “And I have an idea. Maybe using AI could help you create what you have in your mind—and feel in your heart. Would you be open to that?”

“Maybe,” Harper sighed. “I guess I just like getting things perfect.”

Her response didn’t surprise me. Trauma clients can present with self-protection in the form of perfectionism, which can block their creative process. At the same time, what initially appears to be resistance to creativity can be a helpful metaphor in healing. So, I asked Harper, “Where else do you feel blocked by this perfectionism?”

“Everywhere,” she said. “I grew up needing to be perfect, so I wouldn’t add to the problems in my family. I only felt loved when I looked and acted a certain way. Mostly, when I picture my childhood, I see myself alone in a desert with no horizon.”

“If your heart was in this desert, what would it look like?” I asked, trying not to sound too enthusiastic, as I suspected we’d just co-created her first image—a lonely desert—where I could meet her and she could meet herself.

“My heart would be crying. It needs those tears—that precious water—to survive, but they keep spilling out from loneliness.” As she described this image, tears welled up in her own eyes.

“Would you be willing to pause?” I asked. “Just take a moment to close your eyes and place your hands on your heart as you breathe into this image.”

After a few moments, she opened her eyes. Her features had softened. “So how do I use this AI thing?” she asked.

I clicked on the OpenArt tab in the browser of my laptop then handed it to Harper. “Jot down whatever’s bubbling up for you,” I said. “Then press enter. It’s that simple.”

Harper began typing a few words onto the screen. A few minutes later, her face lit up. “Wow,” she said. “That’s it. That’s how it feels.”

The simplicity of discovering images by typing in keywords and layering one image over another gave her the power to hide things that needed to be hidden and magnify others. She was in the driver’s seat as she traversed—and redesigned—her desert in a way that helped her heal. Click here to see it.

A Golden Eagle

With my Mexican American client Lucia, our EMDR work had stalled after several months. She lived with her aging father, and believed it was her duty to care for him no matter how abusive he was toward her. Some of this aligned with her cultural values, but at times, his degrading treatment of her reawakened the childhood trauma of witnessing him inflict physical violence on almost all of the intimate partners he’d had over the years.

Her goal for therapy was to find ways to set better boundaries in her life and have a healthy family of her own someday. First, I encouraged Lucia to create images of her most persistent negative beliefs, such as “I’m trapped and don’t deserve freedom.” Then, I asked her to create images of the beliefs she’d rather hold like, “I’m not trapped and can trust myself.”

In our sessions, I showed her how to use a free AI program called DALL-E. The first image she created was of a dad holding chains beside a young, crying girl. Click here to see the image. Over time, as therapy progressed, she developed a second image with words between each broken link of the chain, each emphasizing the benefits of being her own person. This image served as a reference point for exploring the emotions, sensations, fears, and hopes connected to setting boundaries with her father. We used slow bilateral movements with EMDR to enhance this resource.  Click here to see the image.

Over time, Lucia created an image of her future self and what she wanted. She used words like “I am courageous, bold, strong, and fearless. I have the ability to choose emotional maturity over feeling trapped.” We were able to solidify these thoughts and feelings about her future into a concrete image of a golden eagle breaking heavy chains and flying out of a storm. Click here to see the image. Since then, she’s created many collages to process traumatic memories. She plans to put them together someday and make a book about her healing experience with EMDR and collage art with AI.

***

Unfortunately, as we get older, many of us disconnect from our natural expressivity and innate imaginative powers. As an art therapist, I see this clearly in the contrast between what happens when I guide a roomful of kids through a creative exercise versus a roomful of adults. With kids, a sea of hands rises into the air when I ask, “Who wants to share their art?” In a roomful of adults, I’m lucky if I get one or two tentative fingers.

Bringing AI art into therapy can help reconnect “unartistic” clients to the imaginary realm of metaphor, helping them unearth feelings and ideas that need attention and compassion. Not all our clients are artistic, but they’re all creative.

AI Art Resources

OpenAI

Account required: Easy to create via Google

Cost: 1000 free credits (500 prompts), subscription plans start at $1.99/month

Features: Generates 2 designs per prompt, images are around 300 KB, downloadable without watermark; automatically saves created images and allows for organization in folders; creation time varies from 15 seconds to over a minute

Craiyon

Account not required: Optional account for saving work.

Cost: Free (ad-supported)

Features: Generates 9 low-quality images per prompt (about 1.5 MB total); allows upscaling of images for better quality; image generation can take 1-2 minutes per prompt

Picsart

Account required: Easy to create via Google

Cost: Free for AI image generation; additional features may require a subscription

Features: Generates up to 4 designs per prompt, with options for more; images are around 100 KB and can be downloaded without watermark; fast generation time, typically under 20 seconds

Google’s ImageFX

Account required: Google account needed

Cost: Free

Features: High-quality, realistic image generation; quick generation times, good for beginners

Microsoft Designer’s Image Creator

Account required: Microsoft account needed

Cost: Free

Features: Powered by DALL-E 3, offering high-quality outputs similar to ChatGPT’s image generation

Jocelyn Fitzgerald

Jocelyn Fitzgerald, LMFT, is an Art Therapist, EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant, and coauthor of EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies and Colorful Place: Mindful Story and Art for Kids. She specializes in using art and EMDR to help clients of all ages manage anxiety, process trauma, and build resilience, and mentors clinicians incorporating EMDR into their practice.

What is Your Therapist Action Figure?

Last year, there was a trend where people had AI create action figures of themselves and their professions. I came across this one for a private practice therapist. Many people felt it was accurate.

What part of this therapist action figure do you feel resonates with you, and what would you include that you feel defines you or your practice more accurately?

What is Art Therapy?

Some people may wonder what art therapy actually is. Though I would have preferred that this article be written and/or reviewed by a credentialed art therapist, this overview is a decent summary of what art therapy is and how it works for people. If you have any questions about art therapy, let me know!

https://therapist.com/types-of-therapy/art-therapy/

Art therapy: 

Benefits and treatment options

Reviewed by Stephanie Steinman, PhD, CSAC

Written by therapist.com team

Last updated: 07/29/2025

What is art therapy?

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy. It uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It’s practiced in various settings including hospitals, clinics, and schools, helping people of all ages.

You don’t need to be an artist or have artistic talent to benefit from this type of therapy. Its primary goal isn’t for you to learn more about art (though it’s a nice side benefit). The goal is for you to learn more about yourself.

Why is art therapeutic?        

Art allows you to approach your thoughts and feelings indirectly. Making art requires you to be present and engages your body in a physical craft.

Art also allows you to express yourself in ways other than language. While language can give you great insight into your psychological wellbeing, it has its limits. Art therapy helps bridge the gap between what you feel comfortable saying and what goes unsaid.

How does art therapy work?

A mental health professional will begin by assessing your needs, therapeutic goals, and personal strengths. They’ll then suggest art activities that suit you best and work with you to develop your personalized treatment plan.

Art therapy sessions look different depending on the setting, type of art involved, and other variables. For instance, some art therapy is hosted in group settings. The number and length of group art therapy sessions will likely change based on the size of the group and other variables.1 In a session you might learn how to draw with help from an artist, paint with watercolors on your own, or create your own book to share your feelings.

Reflection is a critical part of art therapy. You, your therapist, and potentially your group members will discuss your artwork to uncover emotions or thoughts. This is what separates art therapy from an art class.

Group vs. individual therapy

In group art therapy, you’ll work in a supportive, collaborative environment alongside your peers. Individual therapy, on the other hand, provides a private space just for you and the art therapist. This one-on-one atmosphere allows for personalized attention and a tailored approach to your needs.

What does art therapy treat?

Art therapy has been used as part of a treatment plan for a variety of mental health conditions, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• ADHD
• Eating disorders2 
• Addiction
• Issues with self-esteem

Art therapy activities

This therapeutic approach uses many different artistic forms and mediums. Common examples of art therapy activities include:

Drawing, coloring, painting, or doodling: In art therapy, colors can hold significant emotional value. Warm colors like red and orange are stimulating and energizing, while cool colors like blue and green tend to be calming and soothing. You can choose colors and images that reflect your current emotions or desired emotional state.

Making collages: Collage-making allows you to piece together images and items that resonate with your experiences. It’s a way to create a visual narrative of your thoughts. You might cut out pictures from magazines, use fabric, or even natural materials. This can help in expressing complex emotions that might be difficult to articulate with words.

Sculpting or carving: The tactile experience of molding or carving materials like clay can be grounding. It offers a three-dimensional way to represent your feelings or experiences. When you sculpt or carve, you’ll be encouraged to focus on the process as much as the end product. Part of the process is to feel each movement and observe how you’re shaping your thoughts into something tangible.

Visual journaling (or art journaling): Combining visual art with written words, art journaling is a powerful expressive arts therapy technique. You could draw, paint, or doodle, and then write about what you’ve created. This process can help in connecting you with your inner self and also helps you track your progress over time.

Do adult coloring books count as therapy?

Adult coloring books do not count as a form of therapy, although it may feel therapeutic. Coloring is a great artistic activity that people of all ages may find comforting. However, art therapy requires the skills and direction of a trained art therapist. If you enjoy adult coloring books, consider incorporating them into your self-care routine. While they’re not a form of therapy, they may help you relax or manage your stress.

Benefits of art therapy 

Art therapy can be beneficial for mental health by providing an outlet for expression and reflection. There is growing research on multiple ways art therapy helps clients, including:

Self-exploration and discovery. Art therapy provides a safe space for you to express feelings that might be hard to put into words. Often used to address emotional challenges, it can lead to improved self-esteem and self-awareness. 3,4

Stress reduction. Art therapy is a natural stress-reducer. Engaging in the creative process allows your mind to focus on the task at hand, taking a break from your worries. Research indicates that mindfulness-based art therapy interventions can reduce anxiety and stress, improving overall mental health.5

Emotional healing. Thoughts and feelings can be difficult to put into words, especially when you’ve experienced trauma or pain. Pursuing art therapy may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in certain groups, especially when used alongside other treatments.6

How every age can benefit

Each stage of life can benefit uniquely from art therapy’s adaptable methods.

Art therapy for kids: Children’s art therapy fosters emotional growth. Through activities like drawing or sculpting, children can learn to communicate complex feelings they might not yet have the words for.

Art therapy for teens: Teens might use collage or graffiti art to explore identity and navigate the often turbulent teenage years. This form of expression may help in reducing anxiety and boosting self-esteem.

Art therapy for adults: Art therapy can help adults cope with stress, emotions, and trauma in a concrete, hands-on way. By creating art, they might uncover new coping strategies and ways to deal with anxiety or depression. Painting or pottery, for example, can bring a sense of calm and focus.

Art therapy for seniors: Older adults may find comfort and mental stimulation in art therapy. Reminiscence art projects can help seniors preserve memories and maintain a connection to their personal history and identity.7

Treatment options

If you decide to seek treatment, it’s important to find a qualified therapist. Anyone can create art as a form of self-expression, but not all artistic creation is a form of art therapy. Working with a trained art therapist helps ensure you gain the psychological benefits of artistic expression.

When looking for a provider, keep the following things in mind: 

• Certifications and accreditations: Art therapists must have a master’s degree in art therapy, counseling, or a related field. Additionally, most art therapists are registered, certified, or licensed by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).
• Additional therapies: Many providers use art therapy alongside other forms of traditional talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) art therapy. Check to see if your chosen specialist offers other forms of treatment in addition to art therapy.
• Preferred experience: When choosing a therapist, your preferences matter. You may find it helpful to choose a provider with experience treating people with similar experiences to you or your child. For example, if you’ve experienced a trauma, you’ll probably want to seek out a trauma-informed provider.

Find an art therapist near you

Art therapy can help you express your experiences when words alone aren’t enough. Whether you or someone you love is struggling, you can find a provider in your area using our therapist directory.

If you’re in crisis, help is available now. Free, confidential help is available at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline when you call 988. You can also text the word HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to chat with a crisis counselor.

About the author

The editorial team at therapist.com works with the world’s leading clinical experts to bring you accessible, insightful information about mental health topics and trends.