Group art therapy brings people together to express themselves through drawing, painting, or other creative activities with no art skills required. It’s a way to explore feelings, deal with stress, and connect with others who might be going through something similar. These sessions aren’t about making perfect art, they're about letting things out and finding support in a group setting.

In a group art therapy session, participants gather in a shared space to create art alongside others while guided by a trained therapist. The focus isn’t on artistic skill, but on using the creative process to explore emotions, experiences, and personal themes in a supportive group setting.

A typical session includes a short introduction, time for individual or theme-based art-making, and an optional reflection period where participants can share thoughts or discuss their artwork. The atmosphere is structured but non-judgmental, allowing each person to express themselves at their own pace while benefiting from group connection and shared understanding.

Group art therapy combines creative expression with social interaction, offering a unique form of support that extends beyond traditional talk therapy. Participants benefit not only from the personal process of making art but also from the shared experience of creating alongside others who may be facing similar emotional challenges.

This format helps reduce feelings of isolation by building a sense of belonging and mutual understanding. As individuals express themselves visually, they often find it easier to communicate emotions that are difficult to put into words. The group setting encourages feedback, emotional validation, and the development of interpersonal skills, all within a safe and non-judgmental space. Over time, these sessions can improve self-esteem, support emotional regulation, and help participants gain new perspectives on their own experiences.

For those interested in structured art therapy activities outside traditional settings, at Lina Therapy we offer a way to engage in guided creative exercises on a mobile device. It provides a set of prompts focused on emotional themes such as mood tracking, self-image, and daily stress. While the app is not a replacement for live therapy, it can be used to support regular art-making and reflection, either individually or in parallel with group work.

Lina is available on AppStore and includes tools such as mandala drawing, mood mapping, journaling prompts, and collage tasks. All exercises are simple to use and require no previous art experience. Users can go through the materials at their own pace, either on their own or as part of a larger therapeutic or community process.

We also share visual examples, updates, and community content through our social channels: Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram. These platforms allow us to expand access to creative support tools and offer practical ideas for applying art in everyday mental health routines.

Group art therapy can be structured in various ways, depending on the goals of the group, the needs of participants, and the therapeutic approach. Below are the most common models used in group art therapy, each offering a different experience and focus.

Open Studio Model
This model emphasizes personal freedom and self-directed creativity. Participants work independently on their own art projects without a central theme or group discussion. The therapist offers support individually, creating a quiet, reflective environment. It’s ideal for people who benefit from autonomy and minimal social pressure.

Theme-Based Groups
In this model, sessions focus on a specific emotional or psychological theme such as grief, identity, or anxiety. The therapist introduces a prompt or guided activity related to that theme, helping participants explore targeted experiences. These groups often run for a limited time and are useful for processing life events or shared challenges.

Group Analysis Model
A more interactive variation of the open studio, this model allows for open-ended art-making followed by group discussion. After creating, participants are invited to share their artwork and reflect on their emotional responses. The conversation becomes part of the therapeutic process, encouraging insight and connection.

Interactive Group Model
This format focuses on the group dynamics themselves as a key element of therapy. Members are encouraged to respond to one another’s artwork, experiences, and presence. Art-making is combined with discussion, allowing the group’s interaction to influence both personal expression and collective understanding.

Social Action Groups
These groups are built around shared social or cultural experiences, such as displacement, trauma, or marginalization. Art-making is used not just for individual healing, but as a way to express collective identity, tell community stories, or explore social issues. This model is often used in work with refugees, disaster survivors, or advocacy-based organizations.

Group art therapy sessions can include a variety of creative exercises designed to help participants express emotions, explore identity, and process life experiences. Activities are chosen based on the group’s needs, age range, and therapeutic goals. Below are some widely used approaches in group settings.

1. Clay Work
Using clay allows for physical engagement with emotions. Participants can shape, press, or mold the material to externalize feelings that may be hard to express verbally. The tactile nature of clay makes it especially useful in groups working with stress, trauma, or body-based tension. It also encourages creativity without the pressure of making something “perfect.”

2. Mandala Drawing
Mandala creation is a structured yet open-ended activity that supports emotional regulation and mindfulness. Participants draw circular patterns using colors and shapes that represent their internal state. It’s often used in groups focused on anxiety reduction, grounding, or self-awareness.

3. Mask-Making
This activity encourages participants to explore identity, roles, or emotional states. By decorating masks, individuals can express different sides of themselves, what is shown to the world and what is kept hidden. Mask-making is particularly helpful in trauma recovery, self-image work, and groups dealing with personal transformation.

4. Themed Collage
Collage allows for expression through images and text from magazines, newspapers, or printed material. It’s accessible to all skill levels and useful for exploring themes like personal history, future goals, or emotional landscapes. Group members often share their collages to open up dialogue and discover common threads.

5. Group Mural
Creating a collective artwork helps build connection and teamwork. Each participant contributes to a shared piece either simultaneously or in turns on a large canvas or paper. This activity promotes cooperation, communication, and shared ownership of the creative process, making it ideal for community or institutional groups.

6. Emotional State Drawing
Participants are invited to draw or paint how they’re feeling in the moment, using abstract or figurative forms. This simple but powerful activity is a common warm-up in group sessions and often leads to meaningful discussions about emotional experiences.

Group art therapy is accessible to a wide range of people, regardless of age, background, or artistic ability. It offers support for emotional expression, stress relief, and personal growth in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Participants often find value in the shared experience of creativity and connection, especially when navigating challenges that are easier to face in a group context.

Group art therapy can be helpful for:

• Children and Teens: to explore emotions, build social skills, and process experiences in a creative, non-verbal way
• Adults: dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, or the need for emotional support
• Older Adults: to maintain cognitive function, reduce loneliness, and connect through storytelling and memory-based art
• People with Trauma Histories: offering a safe outlet for expression without pressure to verbalize painful experiences
• Support Groups: such as those for grief, illness recovery, addiction, or caregiving, where shared experiences can be explored through art
• Institutional Populations: including schools, hospitals, prisons, and shelters, where structured group therapy can offer emotional stability
• Therapists and Educators: using group art sessions as part of community work, emotional development, or team-based programs

By adapting the structure and content of sessions to specific populations, group art therapy can serve as a flexible and inclusive approach to emotional support and psychological healing.

While group art therapy offers many benefits, it also comes with specific challenges related to group dynamics, emotional safety, and session management. Recognizing these potential difficulties in advance allows therapists to create a stable and supportive environment where participants can thrive. Below are common issues that may arise and strategies to effectively manage them.

1. Emotional Vulnerability and Triggers
In a group setting, emotional content can surface unexpectedly both through personal artwork and responses to others. Some participants may feel overwhelmed or triggered by what is shared.

How to manage:

• Begin sessions with grounding exercises or warm-up activities
• Clearly explain that sharing is optional and artwork is never judged
• Create a calming area or provide breaks for emotional regulation
• Equip participants with simple coping strategies (e.g., breathing, sensory tools)
• Offer private follow-up support if needed

2. Group Conflict or Discomfort Between Members
Conflicts may arise due to personality clashes, misunderstandings, or differing communication styles. Some individuals may feel uncomfortable in groups due to past interpersonal trauma.

How to manage:

• Set clear group rules from the beginning (respect, confidentiality, no criticism)
• Address tensions early with calm, neutral facilitation
• Use structured sharing methods (e.g., talking stick, timed turns) to prevent domination
• Avoid forcing interaction allow space for quiet participation
• Conduct individual check-ins when necessary to monitor group health

3. Uneven Participation or Engagement
Some group members may withdraw or hesitate to participate, while others may dominate discussion or require more support. This imbalance can affect the group’s cohesion.

How to manage:

• Use rotating prompts that allow for both quiet work and verbal sharing
• Create small subgroup activities to reduce pressure
• Encourage equal time for discussion without forcing anyone to speak
• Celebrate all forms of participation, including silent expression through art
• Observe and adjust group composition if needed

4. Managing Diverse Needs and Abilities
Groups often include people with different ages, cultural backgrounds, emotional capacities, or physical/mental health conditions. Without sensitivity, this diversity can lead to miscommunication or exclusion.

How to manage:

• Choose materials and activities accessible to all skill levels
• Avoid culturally loaded themes unless relevant and handled with care
• Be aware of language, symbolism, and accessibility
• Offer alternative formats or parallel tasks for those with specific needs
• Build cultural competency into session planning and therapist training

5. Maintaining Confidentiality in a Shared Space
In group therapy, protecting participants' privacy becomes more complex. Fear of judgment or gossip can reduce openness.

How to manage:

• Make confidentiality a core group rule, repeated regularly
• Emphasize voluntary sharing no one is required to speak
• Avoid photographing or sharing artwork outside the group without consent
• Use anonymous reflection methods if needed (e.g., writing instead of speaking)
• Address any breaches quickly and transparently

Group art therapy offers a unique space where creative expression meets shared experience. It allows individuals to process emotions, reduce stress, and connect with others all without the pressure of traditional talk-based formats.

Whether working with children, adults, or communities facing collective challenges, this approach can be adapted to meet a wide range of therapeutic needs. Through structured activities, a safe environment, and skilled facilitation, group art therapy helps participants find meaning, connection, and healing through the creative process.