Art first became therapy in the 60's in the US. Kids with disabilities were the first audience of art therapy which quickly developed to a formal psychotherapy method also for adults. The first adults art therapy healed, were soldiers dealing with trauma, returning from the Vietnam War.

 

According to the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA), Art Therapy can help people resolve conflicts, develop interpersonal skills, manage behaviour, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and achieve insight.  According to the British Association of Art Therapists, although influenced by psychoanalysis, art therapists have been inspired by theories such as attachment-based psychotherapy and have developed a broad range of client-centred approaches such as psycho-educational, mindfulness and mentalization-based treatments, compassion-focussed and cognitive analytic therapies, and socially engaged practice.