The History of Music and Art Therapy

During World War II the benefits of using art to treat soldiers suffering from “shell shock” became known.

Art therapy is a popular and constantly growing field of therapy.  As the world becomes more competent and technologically advanced, art therapy will undoubtedly be influenced. It remains to be seen if these changes will be positive or negative.

In the 1970’s, many people began to explore the possibility of turning art therapy into a strong and long-standing profession.

Gestalt therapists began using art therapy in the 1960s.

Art therapy became a form of treatment used in mental hospitals during the 1940’s.  One hospital that was a pioneer for the use of arts in treatment was St. Elizabeths in Washington, D.C.

Adrian Hill, a World War I artist, coined the term art therapy and began working with patients suffering from illness in a London hospital.

Many advances were made in the production and uses of art during the period known as the Renaissance.

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