Every canvas holds a story, some painted in joy, others born from pain. As we conclude this art therapy series, it’s time to listen to the voices behind the art. In this final part, we’ll explore real-life experiences and feedback from people who’ve journeyed through art therapy, discovering how creativity helped them process emotions, rediscover hope, and embrace healing in unexpected ways.
Real Stories: Art Therapy in Action
A Delhi client said “My life felt static, I could see the paths, but I wasn’t walking on them. When I tried art therapy, I accepted so many things about myself by trusting the first thought I had.”
She drew a boundary of “dark energy” and a silhouette of a woman, unconsciously tapping into deeper emotional insights.
Art therapy helped her step forward where traditional talk therapy had stalled.
“Drawing my favorite people helped uncover trauma I could not express in words.” - A Delhi hospital client who had unexplained mobility issues was asked to draw her favorite people. Her artwork organically revealed trauma she hadn’t verbalized.
Art therapy unlocked hidden experiences and helped her begin healing.
Program-Based Testimonials in India
Happy Feet Home (Mumbai)
Over 270 children with illnesses like HIV, cancer, and thalassemia attended art-based therapy sessions.
- 100% reported feeling relaxed
- 40% described gaining new emotional insights after sessions.
- Art therapy significantly reduced stress and boosted happiness in vulnerable youth.
Golden Butterflies(Chennai)
During COVID‑19 lockdowns, therapeutic "magic envelopes" with crafts and drawing materials were sent to child-patients.
Caregivers noted that children felt creatively engaged and calmer.
These kits showed significant emotional relief for families in palliative care.
Wider Initiatives & Public Impact
Kaushambi Jail, Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh)
Inmates led by a 26-year-old undertrial artist transformed prison walls into vibrant murals, painting images of freedom fighters, nature, and motivational slogans.
Authorities observed improved morale, greater focus, and behavioral improvements, indicating strong rehabilitative impact.
Community Art in Bengaluru (Mpower x Chal Rang De)
Volunteers painted hospital walls with bright murals to raise mental health awareness. One passerby volunteer (a nurse from Australia) said it sparked conversations among people who rarely interacted. These murals created inclusive dialogue and emotional relief in public spaces.
Testimonial from my client based on her Real Journey
Over the time, I have noticed that creating art helps me talk to myself through my emotions and their regulation. It allows me to slow down, relax and keeps me occupied. Especially when I paint/ fill colors, it feels like I’m in conversation with parts of myself that otherwise remain quiet, sometimes it brings clarity, other times simply comfort. The whole process feels very grounding and I feel lighter afterwards. So these days I have included painting/colouring in my routine. I try to do it at least 15 minutes everyday. Attached are the pieces of my artwork
Real Patient Testimonials from Published Art Therapy Stories
American Art Therapy Association Story Library
1. “Inside/Outside”
A woman recovering from a rare tumor painted her emotional “inside” vs "outside” in watercolor. After two hours of painting and discussion, she said:
“Thank you for being here. Where else do you get to really talk about what’s happening and then spend a whole morning making it into a painting that totally means what you were trying to say?”
2. “Red Dot Messages”
An abstract painter gradually realized that the repeated red plum dots in her small works were an unconscious bodily message. As she explained later:
“For 10 months my body had been trying desperately to communicate with my brain. It had been calling out … that it needed help.”
3. Stefan’s Journey with Voices
A man hearing internal voices in early therapy created a series titled Hearing the Unknown, Taking Charge, and Communication. He shared:
“I learned that my voices are part of me, they became not just voices but my friends. Day by day I try to rebuild my broken self.”
Lived-Experience Narratives in Journals
Seven Stories in International Journal of Art Therapy
Seven individuals wrote about one art work they created during therapy and how it shaped their mental health journey.
Highlights
“Their art had positive impacts at the time of therapy and beyond, creating support and meaning over time.”
Hospital & Gallery Programs Testimonials
1. Paintings in Hospitals – UK
Anonymous patients and staff noted significant emotional relief provided by hospital artwork.
2. Healing Photo Art Program – U.S. Hospitals
Medical administrators described the impact of curated environments:
“The photographs have really helped to make the environment feel less sterile and intimidating … provided a minivacation to a beautiful and soothing destination.”
As we reach the end of this Art Therapy series, one truth stands out healing is both a creative journey and a conscious choice. Each brushstroke, each color, carries the courage to face emotions, transform pain, and rediscover peace within. In a world that often silences our feelings, art offers a gentle space to listen to ourselves.
Remember, you don’t have to walk through your struggles alone. Reaching out for help, whether through art therapy or mental health support, is a sign of strength, not weakness. So, take a moment to create, to express, to care for your mind and heart. Healing begins when you give yourself permission to feel, and art can be the most beautiful language your soul speaks.
References:
American Art Therapy Association. (n.d.). Story Library.
Happy Feet Home.(n.d.). Programs and impact.
Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation. (n.d.). Therapeutic initiatives.
Mpower. (n.d.). Chal Rang De community art initiative.
Paintings in Hospitals. (n.d.). Impact stories.
Healing Photo Art.(n.d.). Hospital art for healing.
Ford, E. (2021).Seven lived experience stories of making meaning using art therapy. International Journal of Art Therapy.
Times of India.(2025, June 11). Undertrial inmates paint murals at Kaushambi Jail in Prayagraj. Times of India.
