Art therapy alleviates stress for college students

By Sneha Subhash and Adam Sadik •

Maya Sanchez, sophomore biology major and Razor’s Edge SharkTalent student, finds art to be a powerful outlet for managing stress.

“Being a biology major can be overwhelming at times, especially with all the exams and lab work,” Sanchez said. “But whenever I start sketching, I can just focus on creating. Art allows me to disconnect from the pressure and relax. It’s my way of clearing my mind and recharging.”

For college students like Sanchez, stress is an inevitable part of campus life.

Mercedes ter Maat, professor in the Department of Counseling, said one of the most creative and soothing ways to target stress is through art therapy, a form of therapy that uses the act of creating art to help individuals express their emotions, reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. Throughout her 40-year career, ter Maat has worked with a wide range of individuals, from refugees and immigrants to patients in mental health settings.

“Art therapy allows people to express themselves in ways that words can’t,” she said. “It’s about using creativity as a tool to tap into what’s going on beneath the surface, especially when feelings are too complex or overwhelming to articulate.”

Unlike traditional art-making, which often emphasizes aesthetic skill and technique, art therapy focuses on the process rather than the product.

“In art therapy, there’s no pressure to create something perfect,” ter Maat said. “The value is in the act of creation itself. It’s about expressing your emotions in a non-judgmental space, without worrying about how the final piece looks.”

Sharon Thieman, adjunct professor in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts, said art can help people process life events.

“It’s how I got through life events. It helps me process what’s going on visually,” Thieman said.

For college students, ter Maat added that art therapy can serve as an outlet for stress relief. She said it provides a sense of calmness and clarity and allows individuals to connect with their inner feelings and release built-up tension.

“We use art as a tool to help people focus on their emotions and experiences in a way that’s safe and empowering. It’s not about creating something for others to see— it’s about what it means for you,” ter Maat said.