What’s the Difference Between Therapeutic Arts and Art Therapy? (And Why It Matters for Midlife Women Seeking Support)

As a Therapeutic Arts Facilitator working with midlife women, one question I often hear is:

“Is this the same as art therapy?”

It’s a great question and an important one. While therapeutic arts and art therapy both use creative expression as a pathway to emotional wellbeing, they are not the same. Understanding the differences helps you, as a client, make informed choices and feel confident about the type of support you're receiving.

Let’s explore the distinctions, and how each approach fits within Australian professional, ethical, and legal frameworks.

What Is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is a regulated clinical profession. In Australia, Art Therapists are usually trained at the master’s degree level and are registered with a professional association such as ANZACATA (The Australia, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association). They are qualified mental health professionals who use art-based interventions to treat a wide range of psychological or emotional concerns, often working in hospitals, mental health services, or private practice.

Art therapists assess, diagnose, and work within a clinical framework, often integrating evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches. Their scope may include trauma, eating disorders, depression, PTSD, or complex grief. Sessions are typically documented and may be eligible for referrals from GPs under mental health care plans, depending on the therapist’s additional qualifications.

What Are Therapeutic Arts?

Therapeutic Arts, on the other hand, is a non-clinical, creative process that supports emotional wellness and personal insight through art-making. It is not considered therapy in the clinical or medical sense, and it does not involve diagnosis or treatment of mental health disorders.

As a Therapeutic Arts Facilitator, I guide clients, especially midlife women, through creative experiences designed to support nervous system regulation, emotional release, and self-expression. This might involve painting, collage, clay work, journalling, or intuitive mark-making. The focus is not on making “art” or interpreting meaning but on using the creative process as a tool for self-care and reflection.

This approach is gentle, empowering, and accessible to everyone - no prior artistic experience is needed.

How Does This Apply to You?

For midlife women, the emotional and physical transitions of perimenopause and menopause can be deeply unsettling. Therapeutic arts offer a way to process unspoken emotions, reconnect with self, and feel grounded and supported. It’s about being held in a safe, non-judgmental space where your inner experiences can unfold naturally, without pressure, pathology, or clinical analysis.

This work is especially suited to those who want to feel more connected to themselves, soothe their nervous system, and gently explore life’s deeper questions through creativity.

Professional Boundaries & Legal Clarity (Australia)

In Australia, it’s essential to distinguish clearly between clinical therapy and non-clinical wellbeing support, both for ethical reasons and to comply with consumer protection and privacy laws.

Here’s how I uphold these standards:

Transparency

I am clear in all communications - website, intake forms, and sessions - that I do not offer clinical art therapy or medical treatment. I do not diagnose or treat mental illness. Instead, I offer creative wellbeing support and hold space for emotional exploration and self-care.

Qualifications

While I am a Registered Counsellor and hold professional membership with ACA (Australian Counselling Association), my therapeutic arts sessions are non-clinical in nature unless otherwise specified. If someone presents with complex trauma or a need for clinical intervention, I refer appropriately to psychologists, art therapists, or mental health professionals.

Privacy & Consent

All client information is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). Clients give informed consent before engaging in sessions, and I outline how personal data is collected, stored, and used. No client artwork or testimonials are shared without explicit written permission.

Consumer Protection

As a service provider, I comply with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). This means clients have the right to clear service descriptions, refunds where applicable, and professional conduct in accordance with my training and advertised scope.

Why This Matters

For women in midlife who are seeking support, knowing the difference between art therapy and therapeutic arts helps ensure that you’re accessing the kind of care that’s appropriate, ethical, and aligned with your needs.

Whether you’re navigating emotional overwhelm, burnout, identity shifts, or simply craving connection and creative expression, therapeutic arts can offer powerful, soulful support. It’s not therapy in the clinical sense, but it is deeply therapeutic.

In Summary

Aspect	Art Therapy	Therapeutic Arts
Regulation	Clinical, regulated	Non-clinical
Practitioner	Master’s-trained Art Therapist	Certified facilitator (may also be a counsellor or coach)
Focus	Diagnosing, treating mental health	Emotional wellbeing, self-expression
Environment	Hospitals, clinics, private practice	Studios, workshops, community settings, private sessions
Eligible for MHCP	Sometimes	No
Privacy/legal	Governed by health and privacy laws	Governed by consumer and privacy laws

Want to Learn More or See if It’s Right for You?

If you’re curious about how therapeutic arts might support you during this era of life, I offer a free 20-minute discovery call to answer your questions and see if we’re a good fit.

Book a free 20 minute intro call