5 Art Therapy Resources for Teens

Art therapy allows people to express thoughts and emotions in a creative way. It helps people relax and gives them a sense of control over their feelings, providing a safe space to work through any challenges they may be facing. In this post, we are going to rank five different art therapy resources. These resources are intended for teens ages 13-17, but people of all ages can benefit. 

Why is Art Therapy Important?

Teens benefit greatly from art therapy because it provides a creative avenue for expressing feelings and ideas. Making art, whether it be through painting, making, or drawing, can support you in exploring your identity and processing difficult emotions (AHS Video, 2021; Coepio Healing Arts, 2020). Art therapy can help you feel less stressed and anxious by encouraging you to be focused and present in the moment. Additionally, you can strengthen your confidence and confront negative self-talk (Erica Pang Art, 2020). Along with improving your emotional and cognitive abilities, it's also a fantastic technique to deal with life's obstacles (Trick, 2023; Anderson & Roberts, 2017). What's the best thing, then? You can enjoy art therapy at home with the abundance of free tools available online, such as colouring pages (Monday Mandala Team, 2024).

Top 5 Resources for Art Therapy

1) Aesthetic Colouring Pages ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As someone who has been practicing colouring as a form of art therapy for years, I can vouch for its incredible benefits for mental health and wellbeing. It’s a mindful activity that helps you focus on the present moment and let go of stress. What I particularly love about colouring is its versatility and simplicity. It helps me unwind after a long day and enhances my concentration during class. I usually accompany my sessions with soft music playing in the background or by lighting a scented candle to help set a relaxing mood. ~Mehj

2) Art Therapy Activity to Overcome your Inner Critic⭐⭐⭐⭐

For this activity, I drew how I see my inner critic. Then, I wrote what my inner critic says around it. I challenged my negative thoughts by telling myself to focus on those that love me. I loved this activity because it made me feel lighter, better about myself, and less stressed. I actually smiled while challenging my thoughts, and I realized my anxiety does not define me. This is a great activity for teens that are suffering with anxiety and their inner critic. ~Jazmine

3) Art Therapy Activity for Anxiety, Grounding, and Mindfulness ⭐⭐⭐

The grounding doodle is a simple technique that made me feel less stressed. It is good to do when feeling anxious about school. I don't know how to draw, but this activity doesn't require any skills and allows you to express yourself freely. Experiment with different approaches to see what works best for you. Begin by drawing some loops, swirls, and lines without raising your hand off the paper. Then, you can color or shade them in with a black marker as you feel best. ~Paulyn

4) Kristen Trick’s Art Therapy Activities for Teenagers ⭐⭐

I tried the card-making activity. Replace card-stock with construction or even computer paper, and this activity can easily be done with supplies from home! As a busy student, I have a lot of stress and anxiety. Making a card for someone who recently lost their wife made me reflect on what’s really important. It made me emotional, but it lowered my anxiety by changing my perspective. Crafting is an excellent form of art therapy because it gets me out of my head and creating something beautiful. ~Brittany

5) Poetry In Expressive Arts Activities ⭐

Poetry is a wonderful way to express yourself. All you need is a piece of paper and a pen. Poetry is like a window into my soul, allowing me to express my thoughts and feelings in a creative and beautiful way. It's a form of art therapy that helps release any pent-up emotions in the form of words. Try it out! ~Quadir

Closing

We based our ranking on what resources would best promote mental wellness. We tried to pick activities that teens could do at home with very little supplies. Resources with higher ratings were those that anyone could do. For example, not everyone has the writing skills for poetry. Remember, any kind of art therapy will do! All the ranked resources can help reduce stress and anxiety. 

Call-to-Action

Looking for unique ways to communicate your thoughts and feelings while improving your mental health? Explore the field of art therapy with our list of resources. There is something for everyone! Take the first step towards a better mind and stop letting stress hold you back. Learn about the value of self-expression because your mental health matters! Together, let's try something new.

References

AHS Video. (2021, May 28). Poetry in expressive arts–book trailer [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-taWMp2pxo

American Psychiatric Association. (2020, January 30). Healing through art. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/healing-through-art#:~:text=Art%20therapy%20is%20used%20to,communication%2C%20according%20to%20the%20association

Coepio Healing Arts. (2020, April 30). Art therapy activity for anxiety, grounding, & mindfulness: Therapeutic art projects at home [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GMSC95hEj2w

Erica Pang Art. (2020, December 11). Art therapy activity to overcome your inner critic [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XECP3OnbHJU

Monday Mandala Team. (2024, March 6). 26 aesthetic coloring pages (free pdf printables). https://mondaymandala.com/aesthetic-coloring-pages/ 

Trick, K. (2023, October 17). Art therapy activities for teenagers. Pollen. https://www.simplepractice.com/blog/art-therapy-activities-teens/

Anderson, K., & Roberts, L. (2017). The role of art therapy in adolescents' coping strategies. Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling, 3(1), 45-60.