Art Therapy Group Activities: 15 Engaging Ideas

Art Therapy Setup [Checklist]: Create a Safe Space for Healing

Before diving into the creative process, setting the stage for successful art therapy group activities is crucial. This involves careful preparation of the environment, materials, and a clear understanding of the facilitator’s role. Our goal is always to cultivate a safe, non-judgmental space where participants feel comfortable exploring their inner worlds through art.

Establishing clear group rules and ensuring confidentiality from the outset helps build trust. We encourage participants to respect each other’s processes and privacy, fostering an atmosphere of mutual support rather than competition. This groundwork is vital for overcoming potential challenges like initial resistance or self-consciousness. As we explore the intersection of therapy and art, we find that a well-prepared environment significantly improves the therapeutic journey.

Essential Materials and Setup

The beauty of art therapy group activities is their adaptability. We don’t need fancy studios; simple, accessible materials often yield the most profound results. Here’s a basic list of what we typically recommend:

• Paper: A variety of sizes and types, including drawing paper, watercolor paper, and construction paper.
• Drawing Materials: Pencils, colored pencils, crayons, pastels (oil and chalk), and markers.
• Paints: Tempera, watercolor, or acrylic paints, along with brushes of various sizes.
• Clay: Air-dry clay or Play-Doh for tactile expression.
• Collage Materials: Old magazines, newspapers, fabric scraps, yarn, buttons, and glue sticks.
• Found Objects: Natural items like leaves, pebbles, twigs, or small household items can add texture and meaning.

When setting up the space, we aim for comfort and functionality. Arrange tables to allow for both individual work and easy group interaction. Ensure good lighting and enough space for everyone to spread out their materials. Importantly, consider accessibility for all participants, making sure materials are within reach and the environment is inclusive.

The Facilitator’s Role in Art Therapy Group Activities

As facilitators, our role is less about directing artistic technique and more about guiding the therapeutic process. We provide prompts, introduce activities, and create a supportive atmosphere, but the creative journey itself belongs to the participants.

A key aspect of our role is asking open-ended questions. Instead of, “What is that?” we might ask, “Tell me about your piece,” or “What was it like to create this?” These questions encourage self-expression and deeper reflection without imposing interpretations. We actively manage group dynamics, ensuring everyone has a voice and feels heard, while also gently redirecting if discussions become unhelpful. Holding a safe space means being present, empathetic, and prepared to process the artwork and the emotions that arise.

Qualified art therapists typically hold a master’s degree, along with extensive supervised practice and internship hours, enabling them to steer the complexities of therapeutic art-making effectively. This expertise allows us to adapt activities for specific therapeutic goals, such as trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, or self-expression, and to encourage participants to process their artwork within the group, fostering insight and connection.

15 Engaging Art Therapy Group Activities for Adults and Teens

We’ve found that the most effective art therapy group activities are those that truly resonate with participants, adapt to their unique needs, and help them move toward specific therapeutic goals. Over the years, we’ve seen certain activities consistently create breakthrough moments—whether it’s a shy teen finally opening up or an adult finding a new way to manage overwhelming anxiety.

What follows are 15 of our most powerful activities, organized by what they help participants achieve. Each one works beautifully with both adults and teens, though we always adjust the approach based on the group’s energy and needs.

Activities for Building Connection and Icebreaking

Starting a new group can feel awkward. These activities break down those initial walls and help people realize they’re not alone in this space.

Group Mural is one of our favorite first-session activities. We roll out a large sheet of paper—sometimes it covers an entire table—and invite everyone to contribute to a single, shared piece of art. We might suggest a theme like “Our Hopes” or “What Brings Us Together,” but we keep it broad enough that everyone can find their own way in. There’s something magical about watching strangers begin to work side by side, their individual marks blending into something none of them could have created alone. It builds teamwork without requiring anyone to say much at all.

Collaborative Collage follows a similar spirit but uses magazines, fabric scraps, photos, and other found materials. Each person cuts and glues images and words that speak to them, contributing to a collective vision on a shared canvas. We love this activity because it shows how different perspectives can come together beautifully. Someone might add a sunset while another adds a city skyline, and somehow it all makes sense when you step back and look at the whole.

With Pass-Around Drawing, we introduce a bit of playful spontaneity. Everyone starts with a small sheet of paper and begins drawing whatever comes to mind. After two minutes, they pass it to the person next to them, who adds their own marks and ideas. The drawing travels around the circle, each person building on what came before. By the end, no one recognizes their original drawing, and that’s exactly the point. It teaches us to let go of control, to trust the process, and to see how our contributions matter even when they’re transformed by others.

Creating a Group “Safe Place” Image is particularly meaningful for groups dealing with trauma or anxiety. We guide everyone through a brief visualization, asking them to imagine a place where they feel completely safe and at peace. Then, using any materials they choose, each person adds elements to a large shared drawing or collage—maybe one person draws mountains, another adds a cozy chair, someone else contributes soft colors. Together, they build a visual representation of collective safety and belonging, a reminder that they’re creating something protective together.

Activities for Emotional Expression and Regulation

Emotions can be slippery, hard to name, even harder to share. These activities give people a way to express what words often can’t capture, helping them understand and manage their inner experiences. This is where art therapy for emotional healing really shines.

Emotion Wheels help participants map their emotional landscape. They draw a large circle and divide it into sections like a pie chart, with each slice representing a different emotion they’ve experienced recently. They might color anger in sharp reds, sadness in deep blues, joy in bright yellows. Some people assign sizes based on how much time they spend in each feeling. The visual result often surprises them—”I didn’t realize I was anxious that much of the day.” It’s a powerful tool for building self-awareness. We often encourage people to draw or paint their emotions directly, letting the colors and shapes speak for themselves.

Painting to Music removes the pressure of deciding what to create. We play different pieces of music—something upbeat, then something melancholic, maybe something chaotic—and invite participants to let their brushes or markers respond to the sounds. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Some people make sweeping gestures; others create tiny, precise marks. The goal is simply to let the music guide their hand and give their feelings a way out. We’ve seen people cry during this activity, laugh during it, and sometimes just exhale deeply afterward, like they’ve released something they’d been carrying.

Mindful Doodling is deceptively simple but incredibly calming. We ask participants to close their eyes (or soften their gaze) and just make marks on paper—circles, lines, spirals, whatever their hand wants to do. The focus is entirely on the sensation: the pen moving across the page, the rhythm of their breath, the present moment. It’s meditation disguised as art, and it helps quiet the constant chatter of anxious thoughts. Process over product, always.

Clay Sculpting Emotions brings a tactile dimension to emotional work. We hand out chunks of air-dry clay and ask people to shape a physical representation of an emotion they’re feeling right now or one they find particularly difficult. Some people pound the clay when they’re working with anger. Others gently mold it when exploring sadness. The act of shaping something with your hands can be incredibly cathartic, and the finished piece becomes a tangible symbol they can talk about, hold, even reshape if they want to.

Activities for Self-Exploration and Identity

Who are we, really? What do we show the world versus what we keep hidden? These activities create space for participants to explore the different layers of their identity and personal story.

Inside/Outside Bags or Boxes is wonderfully revealing. Each person gets a paper bag or small box and decorates the outside to show how they present themselves to the world—the face they wear in public. Then they decorate the inside to represent their inner world, the thoughts and feelings they don’t usually share. When people choose to share their bags, the contrast is often striking. The outside might be all bright colors and smiles while the inside reveals fear, sadness, or confusion. It opens up honest conversations about the masks we wear and why we wear them.

Mask Making takes this concept even further. Using paper plates or plaster strips, participants create actual masks. We often suggest painting the exterior to show how others see them and the interior to show how they see themselves. This activity is particularly powerful for those struggling with body image or eating disorders—the “Unmasked” approach helps people confront what they’re hiding and why. The physical act of creating a mask, then potentially removing it, can be transformative.

Self-Portraits (Past, Present, Future) invites participants to tell their story across time. They create three separate portraits: who they were in the past, who they are right now, and who they hope to become. Some people use drawing, others prefer collage or painting. The past portrait might show pain or innocence lost. The present might reveal struggle or strength. The future often glows with hope and possibility. Looking at all three together helps people see their own growth and recognize that they’re not stuck—they’re evolving.

Family Sculpture uses clay or play-doh to map family dynamics in three dimensions. Participants create small figures for each family member, including themselves, and arrange them to show their relationships. Maybe one figure stands far apart. Maybe two are close together while another is turned away. The spatial relationships reveal so much about unspoken roles, alliances, and tensions. It’s a visual metaphor that often says more than hours of talking could.

Activities for Anxiety, Trauma, and Stress Reduction

When someone is drowning in anxiety or carrying the weight of trauma, they need tools that work quickly and reliably. These art therapy group activities are specifically designed to calm the nervous system and provide tangible coping strategies. We also offer more art therapy activities for anxiety on our blog.

Mandala Drawing has been used as a healing practice for centuries, and modern science backs it up. Research shows that mandala drawing reduces negative emotions in those who create them. We provide circular templates or encourage freehand designs, and participants fill them with colors, patterns, and shapes that feel soothing. The repetitive, contained nature of the work is naturally meditative. People often report feeling noticeably calmer by the time they finish, like their racing thoughts have finally slowed down.

Zentangle Patterns work on a similar principle. While the term Zentangle® is trademarked, the method involves drawing structured, repetitive patterns within a small space—usually on a tile-sized piece of paper. The beauty is that you don’t need any artistic skill. You simply let lines and shapes emerge, one stroke at a time, following basic patterns. It’s deeply meditative and proven to reduce stress. The focused attention required pushes anxious thoughts to the background, and the finished piece provides a sense of accomplishment.

The Lighthouse Activity is particularly powerful for people who feel lost or overwhelmed. We guide participants through a visualization where they imagine themselves lost at sea, then ask them to envision the ideal lighthouse that would guide them to safety. What does it look like? What makes it strong? Then they draw or paint this lighthouse, adding words or symbols that represent their sources of hope, strength, or direction—maybe a person’s name, a value they hold dear, a memory that sustains them. The lighthouse becomes a personal guide they can return to mentally when life feels stormy.

Creating a “Panic Book” gives participants a portable tool they can use outside the therapy room. They create a small book—sometimes just folded paper, sometimes a tiny sketchbook—filled with images, words, colors, and textures that evoke calm, safety, and joy. Maybe it’s a photo of their pet, a favorite quote, colors that soothe them, or a drawing of their safe place. When anxiety or panic strikes, they can pull out this book and refocus their mind on these positive, grounding images. It’s a tangible reminder that they have tools to help themselves.

These activities are just the beginning. The real magic happens when a skilled facilitator adapts them to the specific needs of the group and creates space for participants to process what comes up. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, or just trying to understand yourself better, art therapy group activities offer a path forward that doesn’t require you to have all the words figured out first.

Does Insurance Cover Art Therapy? [Cigna, Optum, Aetna]

Art therapy group activities don’t have to stand alone. In fact, they often work best when woven into a comprehensive treatment approach. At Thrive Mental Health, we’ve seen how powerful it can be when creative expression joins forces with other evidence-based therapies.

Think of art therapy as a bridge. When we combine it with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for example, clients can visually map their thought patterns, drawing out those sneaky cognitive distortions that are easier to see on paper than to catch in our minds. With Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), art becomes a window into understanding our own mental states and those of others. A simple drawing can reveal layers of meaning that might take weeks to uncover through words alone. You can learn more about integrating art into Mentalization-Based Therapy and how it creates pathways to deeper self-understanding.

We regularly incorporate art therapy group activities into our Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) programs. These structured programs create the perfect environment for this kind of work. Participants have time to dive deep into creative processes, supported by peers who are on similar journeys. It’s not just about making art, it’s about building a complete picture of healing that includes traditional talk therapy, medication management when needed, skills training, and yes, the transformative power of creative expression.

The beauty of this integrated approach is its flexibility. Whether you’re working through anxiety, processing trauma, navigating depression, or exploring identity questions, art therapy can complement and improve your other therapeutic work. It gives you another language when words feel impossible, another tool when traditional methods feel stuck.

Insurance Coverage for Art Therapy

Let’s talk about the practical side: paying for treatment. We know insurance can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded, but here’s some good news. Many major insurance providers recognize art therapy as a legitimate mental health treatment when it’s provided by a licensed clinician as part of your overall care plan.

Cigna, Optum, Florida Blue, and Aetna are among the insurers that often cover art therapy services. Since art therapy is a credentialed mental health profession with specific educational and licensing requirements, it’s typically covered similarly to other forms of psychotherapy. The key factor is that your therapist must be properly licensed and the treatment must be part of a documented mental health treatment plan.

For our clients in Florida, we’re here to help you make sense of your specific benefits. Every insurance plan is different, with its own quirks and coverage details. We recommend calling your insurance provider directly to verify your coverage for mental health services, including art therapy. Ask specifically about outpatient mental health benefits and whether services provided by licensed art therapists or in IOP/PHP settings are covered.

Our team at Thrive Mental Health works alongside you to understand the financial side of your care. We can help you verify your insurance benefits and figure out what your out-of-pocket costs might look like. The goal is to remove barriers to getting the help you need, not create new ones. Treatment shouldn’t feel like a financial puzzle you have to solve alone.

Art Therapy Groups: 3 Questions Answered (No, You Don’t Need to Be an Artist)

We hear a lot of questions about art therapy group activities, and we’re happy to answer them. Here are the ones that come up most often:

Do you need to be good at art to participate?

Not even a little bit! This is probably the biggest myth we encounter about art therapy. You don’t need to be able to draw a straight line or paint like Picasso. In fact, artistic skill has nothing to do with the healing power of art therapy group activities.

What matters is the process of creating, not the final product. There’s no such thing as “doing it wrong” in art therapy. We’ve seen stick figures lead to profound breakthroughs and messy paint splatters open up emotions people didn’t know they were holding. The art is simply a language for expressing what’s inside, and everyone speaks that language in their own way.

We encourage everyone to participate, regardless of whether they’ve ever held a paintbrush before. The goal is self-expression and connection, not creating something frame-worthy.

What is the difference between an art class and an art therapy group?

This is an important distinction. While both involve making art, they serve completely different purposes.

In an art class, the focus is on learning techniques, developing skills, and creating aesthetically pleasing work. You might learn how to blend colors, perfect perspective, or master a particular medium. The instructor teaches art, and the goal is the finished piece.

In an art therapy group, the art itself is a tool for something deeper. A licensed art therapist facilitates the session with therapeutic goals in mind, such as emotional processing, trauma healing, or building connections with others. The art-making process helps participants explore and express feelings that might be hard to put into words. Then, we process the experience together in a confidential, supportive group setting.

The art therapist isn’t there to critique your technique or teach you to draw better. They’re there to help you use creativity as a pathway to healing and self-findy. As we mentioned earlier, exploring the intersection of therapy and art reveals how powerful this combination can be.

How long is a typical art therapy group session?

The length of an art therapy group session varies depending on where you’re receiving treatment and what type of program you’re in. In general, sessions typically run between 60 to 90 minutes. This gives participants enough time to settle in, engage in the art-making process, and then share and reflect on their work with the group.

In our Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) programs at Thrive Mental Health, we structure sessions to allow for both creation and processing. The time isn’t rushed. We want everyone to have space to explore their feelings through art and then talk about what came up for them in a supportive environment.

If you’re curious about how art therapy fits into your specific treatment plan, we’re here to help you understand what to expect.

Start Healing with Art Therapy [Virtual & Hybrid Options]

Throughout this guide, we’ve explored how art therapy group activities offer so much more than just making art—they provide a profound pathway to healing, connection, and self-findy. When words feel stuck or inadequate, creative expression opens doors to understanding ourselves and each other in deeper, more meaningful ways.

We’ve seen how these activities can help you build authentic connections with others who understand your struggles, express and regulate emotions that might otherwise feel overwhelming, explore your identity beyond the labels and roles you carry, and find relief from anxiety, trauma, and stress through creative, calming practices. The beauty of art therapy lies in its accessibility—you don’t need to be an artist to benefit from its transformative power.

At Thrive Mental Health, we integrate art therapy group activities into our comprehensive treatment approach because we’ve witnessed how creativity can open up healing that traditional talk therapy alone might not reach. Our virtual and hybrid Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) programs weave these evidence-based creative methods into individualized treatment plans, giving you multiple pathways to recovery. With virtual options available throughout Florida and hybrid programs for those nearby, our expert-led programs offer the flexibility and support you need to steer life’s challenges with renewed strength and self-awareness.

Your healing journey doesn’t have to wait, and it doesn’t have to happen alone. We’re here to walk alongside you, offering evening options that fit your schedule and a community that understands where you’ve been. Creative expression might just be the missing piece you’ve been looking for.

Ready for support in Florida? Thrive offers virtual and hybrid IOP/PHP with evening options for residents across the state. Verify your insurance in 2 minutes (no obligation) → Start benefits check or call 561-203-6085. If you’re in crisis, call/text 988.