Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinition of MBATMindfulness-Based Art TherapyBenefitsExamples of MBATMBAT With ChildrenAlternative MBATPalliative Care and MBAT
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition of MBAT
Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy
Benefits
Examples of MBAT
MBAT With Children
Alternative MBAT
Palliative Care and MBAT
Close
You have probably heard of bothmindfulnessandart therapy—but have you heard of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT)?
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
There are several components that are involved in mindfulness-based art therapy.
Mindfulness
The concept of mindfulness originated from Buddhist practice and reflects a focus on awareness ofemotions, physical sensations in the body, andconsciousness. When you are being mindful, you have an enhanced ability in terms of yourself-awarenessand capacity to reflect on your experience and daily life.
Art Therapy
Art therapy first became popularized as a form of treatment in the 1940s as a method of utilizing art either as an approach to therapy or as part of psychotherapy itself. To understand what this means, consider two examples:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
A precursor to mindfulness-based art therapy,mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)is used to help clients approach situations from a place of acceptance and awareness. In this way, MBSR is a technique to improve your understanding of your inner self and emotions. MBSR makes use of techniques such asbody scanningandmeditation.
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MBAT has slowly gained recognition as a tool for improvement in the field of psychology, though research-based evidence is still lacking, particularly with respect to studies with both treatment and control groups (to confirm that MBAT is better than aplacebo treatment). Another name for mindfulness-based art therapy is “focusing-oriented art therapy,” reflecting the emphasis on shifting focus as part of the experience.
In proposing the concept of MBAT, Rappaport incorporated the work of psychotherapist Eugene Gendlin’s theory on focusing. Gendlin noticed that the clients who improved the most in therapy were the ones who connected to their inner physical self. In essence, mindfulness-based art therapy connects the imagination to the body and allows the expression of feelings that you can’t express in words.
Numerous benefits of mindfulness-based art therapy have been identified through empirical research.Some of the psychological issues that have shown promise in terms of their response to MBAT include the following (particularly in people with combined physical illnesses):
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Often, MBAT is used with individuals with physical illnesses to relieve psychological concerns, including those with coronary artery disease (CAD)and different types of cancer.For these individuals, mindfulness-based art therapy may help to lower distress levels and improve quality of life.
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Some of the specific psychological benefits of MBAT that have been demonstrated in the literature include the following:
Mindfulness-based art therapy is also beneficial because it can be practiced outside of and in conjunction with regular psychotherapy. Meditation can be practiced on your own at home, as can many art-based forms of mindfulness.
While these exercises don’t replace interaction with a therapist, there are endless possibilities in terms of cost-efficient ways to implement MBAT in your daily life to combat stress and manage psychological difficulties.
What exactly does MBAT look like in practice? While it’s often administered in a therapy setting, many of these activities you could also implement your own at home. Let’s take a look at some examples of mindfulness-based art therapy techniques to give you some sense of what to expect (if you are meeting with a therapist for the first time).
MBAT can be a fun way to bring more mindfulness into your life, even if you are only doing it on your own at home.
Do something for one hour a week that integrates mindfulness and art, and you’ll more than likely see benefits to your psychological health.
Mindfulness-based art therapy has been used with children experiencing traumaor who are going through physical illness and are hospitalized.For example, children might be asked to draw pictures to imagine the future or to share how they are feeling. When used with children, MBAT has been shown to increase self-awareness,resilience, andself-compassion.
For patients nearing the end of life, mindfulness-based art therapy can be helpful to connect with spirituality, meaning in life, faith, and peace. While MBAT cannot help to reduce physical symptoms of illness, it may be useful in improving emotional well-being and psychological strength during times of distress, reflecting the goals of palliative care.
A Word From Verywell
Mindfulness-based art therapy combines forms of mindfulness and art to offer a method to help manage psychological issues, particularly among those experiencing other problems such as physical illness or end-of-life concerns. If you or a loved one is struggling with these types of issues, MBAT offered through a psychotherapist or other mental health professional or practiced on your own at home could be helpful in improving your quality of life and general psychological well-being.
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What Is Art Therapy?
7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Joshi AM, Mehta SA, Pande N, Mehta AO, Randhe KS.Effect of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) on psychological distress and spiritual wellbeing in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Indian J Palliat Care2021;27:552-60.Demir, V., Eryürek, S. & Savaş, E.The effect of mindfulness-based art therapy on psychological symptoms and happiness levels in patients with migraine: a pilot study.Curr Psychol43, 17664–17672 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05634-0Jang SH, Lee JH, Lee HJ, Lee SY.Effects of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy on Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. J Korean Med Sci. 2018 Mar 19;33(12):e88. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e88. PMID: 29542299; PMCID: PMC5852419.Monti DA, Peterson C, Kunkel EJ, Hauck WW, Pequignot E, Rhodes L, Brainard GC.A randomized, controlled trial of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) for women with cancer. Psychooncology. 2006 May;15(5):363-73. doi: 10.1002/pon.988. PMID: 16288447.Joshi AM, Mehta SA, Pande N, Mehta AO, Randhe KS.Effect of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT) on Psychological Distress and Spiritual Wellbeing in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.Indian J Palliat Care. 2021 Oct-Dec;27(4):552-560. doi: 10.25259/IJPC_133_21. Epub 2021 Sep 29. PMID: 34898951; PMCID: PMC8655656.Loreskär, P., & Binder, P.-E. (2024, February 15).Nothing less than a creative triumph: A study of children admitted to hospital for serious somatic illness or injury and their experience of art therapy. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1353507/fullMeghani SH, Peterson C, Kaiser DH, Rhodes J, Rao H, Chittams J, Chatterjee A.A Pilot Study of a Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy Intervention in Outpatients With Cancer.Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Sep;35(9):1195-1200. doi: 10.1177/1049909118760304. Epub 2018 Mar 7. PMID: 29514486.Additional ReadingHinchey LM. Mindfulness-based art therapy: A review of the literature. Inquiries Journal. 2018;10:5.Jang S-H, Lee J-H, Lee H-J, Lee S-Y. Effects of mindfulness-based art therapy on psychological symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease. J Korean Med Sci [Internet]. 2018 Feb 14 [cited 2019 Feb 27];33(12). DOI:10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e88Meghani SH, Peterson C, Kaiser DH, Rhodes J, Rao H, Chittams J, et al. A pilot study of a mindfulness-based art therapy intervention in outpatients with cancer. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Sep;35(9):1195–200. DOI:10.1177/1049909118760304Prioli KM, Pizzi LT, Kash KM, Newberg AB, Morlino AM, Matthews MJ, et al. Costs and effectiveness of mindfulness-based art therapy versus standard breast cancer support group for women with cancer. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2017 Sep;10(6):288–95. DOI:10.1016/j.jval.2014.03.524Wei M.Mindfulness art therapy can reduce depression and anxiety.
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Joshi AM, Mehta SA, Pande N, Mehta AO, Randhe KS.Effect of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) on psychological distress and spiritual wellbeing in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Indian J Palliat Care2021;27:552-60.Demir, V., Eryürek, S. & Savaş, E.The effect of mindfulness-based art therapy on psychological symptoms and happiness levels in patients with migraine: a pilot study.Curr Psychol43, 17664–17672 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05634-0Jang SH, Lee JH, Lee HJ, Lee SY.Effects of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy on Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. J Korean Med Sci. 2018 Mar 19;33(12):e88. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e88. PMID: 29542299; PMCID: PMC5852419.Monti DA, Peterson C, Kunkel EJ, Hauck WW, Pequignot E, Rhodes L, Brainard GC.A randomized, controlled trial of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) for women with cancer. Psychooncology. 2006 May;15(5):363-73. doi: 10.1002/pon.988. PMID: 16288447.Joshi AM, Mehta SA, Pande N, Mehta AO, Randhe KS.Effect of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT) on Psychological Distress and Spiritual Wellbeing in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.Indian J Palliat Care. 2021 Oct-Dec;27(4):552-560. doi: 10.25259/IJPC_133_21. Epub 2021 Sep 29. PMID: 34898951; PMCID: PMC8655656.Loreskär, P., & Binder, P.-E. (2024, February 15).Nothing less than a creative triumph: A study of children admitted to hospital for serious somatic illness or injury and their experience of art therapy. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1353507/fullMeghani SH, Peterson C, Kaiser DH, Rhodes J, Rao H, Chittams J, Chatterjee A.A Pilot Study of a Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy Intervention in Outpatients With Cancer.Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Sep;35(9):1195-1200. doi: 10.1177/1049909118760304. Epub 2018 Mar 7. PMID: 29514486.Additional ReadingHinchey LM. Mindfulness-based art therapy: A review of the literature. Inquiries Journal. 2018;10:5.Jang S-H, Lee J-H, Lee H-J, Lee S-Y. Effects of mindfulness-based art therapy on psychological symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease. J Korean Med Sci [Internet]. 2018 Feb 14 [cited 2019 Feb 27];33(12). DOI:10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e88Meghani SH, Peterson C, Kaiser DH, Rhodes J, Rao H, Chittams J, et al. A pilot study of a mindfulness-based art therapy intervention in outpatients with cancer. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Sep;35(9):1195–200. DOI:10.1177/1049909118760304Prioli KM, Pizzi LT, Kash KM, Newberg AB, Morlino AM, Matthews MJ, et al. Costs and effectiveness of mindfulness-based art therapy versus standard breast cancer support group for women with cancer. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2017 Sep;10(6):288–95. DOI:10.1016/j.jval.2014.03.524Wei M.Mindfulness art therapy can reduce depression and anxiety.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Joshi AM, Mehta SA, Pande N, Mehta AO, Randhe KS.Effect of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) on psychological distress and spiritual wellbeing in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Indian J Palliat Care2021;27:552-60.Demir, V., Eryürek, S. & Savaş, E.The effect of mindfulness-based art therapy on psychological symptoms and happiness levels in patients with migraine: a pilot study.Curr Psychol43, 17664–17672 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05634-0Jang SH, Lee JH, Lee HJ, Lee SY.Effects of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy on Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. J Korean Med Sci. 2018 Mar 19;33(12):e88. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e88. PMID: 29542299; PMCID: PMC5852419.Monti DA, Peterson C, Kunkel EJ, Hauck WW, Pequignot E, Rhodes L, Brainard GC.A randomized, controlled trial of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) for women with cancer. Psychooncology. 2006 May;15(5):363-73. doi: 10.1002/pon.988. PMID: 16288447.Joshi AM, Mehta SA, Pande N, Mehta AO, Randhe KS.Effect of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT) on Psychological Distress and Spiritual Wellbeing in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.Indian J Palliat Care. 2021 Oct-Dec;27(4):552-560. doi: 10.25259/IJPC_133_21. Epub 2021 Sep 29. PMID: 34898951; PMCID: PMC8655656.Loreskär, P., & Binder, P.-E. (2024, February 15).Nothing less than a creative triumph: A study of children admitted to hospital for serious somatic illness or injury and their experience of art therapy. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1353507/fullMeghani SH, Peterson C, Kaiser DH, Rhodes J, Rao H, Chittams J, Chatterjee A.A Pilot Study of a Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy Intervention in Outpatients With Cancer.Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Sep;35(9):1195-1200. doi: 10.1177/1049909118760304. Epub 2018 Mar 7. PMID: 29514486.
Joshi AM, Mehta SA, Pande N, Mehta AO, Randhe KS.Effect of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) on psychological distress and spiritual wellbeing in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Indian J Palliat Care2021;27:552-60.
Demir, V., Eryürek, S. & Savaş, E.The effect of mindfulness-based art therapy on psychological symptoms and happiness levels in patients with migraine: a pilot study.Curr Psychol43, 17664–17672 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05634-0
Jang SH, Lee JH, Lee HJ, Lee SY.Effects of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy on Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. J Korean Med Sci. 2018 Mar 19;33(12):e88. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e88. PMID: 29542299; PMCID: PMC5852419.
Monti DA, Peterson C, Kunkel EJ, Hauck WW, Pequignot E, Rhodes L, Brainard GC.A randomized, controlled trial of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) for women with cancer. Psychooncology. 2006 May;15(5):363-73. doi: 10.1002/pon.988. PMID: 16288447.
Joshi AM, Mehta SA, Pande N, Mehta AO, Randhe KS.Effect of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT) on Psychological Distress and Spiritual Wellbeing in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.Indian J Palliat Care. 2021 Oct-Dec;27(4):552-560. doi: 10.25259/IJPC_133_21. Epub 2021 Sep 29. PMID: 34898951; PMCID: PMC8655656.
Loreskär, P., & Binder, P.-E. (2024, February 15).Nothing less than a creative triumph: A study of children admitted to hospital for serious somatic illness or injury and their experience of art therapy. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1353507/full
Meghani SH, Peterson C, Kaiser DH, Rhodes J, Rao H, Chittams J, Chatterjee A.A Pilot Study of a Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy Intervention in Outpatients With Cancer.Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Sep;35(9):1195-1200. doi: 10.1177/1049909118760304. Epub 2018 Mar 7. PMID: 29514486.
Hinchey LM. Mindfulness-based art therapy: A review of the literature. Inquiries Journal. 2018;10:5.Jang S-H, Lee J-H, Lee H-J, Lee S-Y. Effects of mindfulness-based art therapy on psychological symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease. J Korean Med Sci [Internet]. 2018 Feb 14 [cited 2019 Feb 27];33(12). DOI:10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e88Meghani SH, Peterson C, Kaiser DH, Rhodes J, Rao H, Chittams J, et al. A pilot study of a mindfulness-based art therapy intervention in outpatients with cancer. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Sep;35(9):1195–200. DOI:10.1177/1049909118760304Prioli KM, Pizzi LT, Kash KM, Newberg AB, Morlino AM, Matthews MJ, et al. Costs and effectiveness of mindfulness-based art therapy versus standard breast cancer support group for women with cancer. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2017 Sep;10(6):288–95. DOI:10.1016/j.jval.2014.03.524Wei M.Mindfulness art therapy can reduce depression and anxiety.
Hinchey LM. Mindfulness-based art therapy: A review of the literature. Inquiries Journal. 2018;10:5.
Jang S-H, Lee J-H, Lee H-J, Lee S-Y. Effects of mindfulness-based art therapy on psychological symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease. J Korean Med Sci [Internet]. 2018 Feb 14 [cited 2019 Feb 27];33(12). DOI:10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e88
Meghani SH, Peterson C, Kaiser DH, Rhodes J, Rao H, Chittams J, et al. A pilot study of a mindfulness-based art therapy intervention in outpatients with cancer. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Sep;35(9):1195–200. DOI:10.1177/1049909118760304
Prioli KM, Pizzi LT, Kash KM, Newberg AB, Morlino AM, Matthews MJ, et al. Costs and effectiveness of mindfulness-based art therapy versus standard breast cancer support group for women with cancer. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2017 Sep;10(6):288–95. DOI:10.1016/j.jval.2014.03.524
Wei M.Mindfulness art therapy can reduce depression and anxiety.
Hannah Owens, LMSW
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