Art Therapy at BryLin: Evidence-Based Treatment for Crisis Recovery

Art Therapy at BryLin is an evidence-based approach to supporting emotional healing, trauma recovery, and mental health stabilization for children, adolescents, and adults in crisis. When words fall short, art becomes a bridge – one that BryLin’s Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Eva Kocieniewski, LCAT, ATR-BC, uses to help patients express, process, and heal through creativity.

Why Art Therapy Matters in Crisis Settings

Beyond Words: The Power of Nonverbal Expression

When trauma, grief, or emotional overwhelm strike, many individuals struggle to find words. In art therapy, “the art itself can act as a tool for processing by helping one express their experiences and create a visual representation of their ‘inner world.’” As Eva notes, “Sometimes we may not have the vocabulary … that’s where art therapy can help.”

This nonverbal channel allows symbolic expression, metaphor, and imagery to emerge – often providing a safer entry point into difficult emotions.

Evidence-Based Foundations of Art Therapy

Art therapy is grounded in research and supported by neuroscience. Studies demonstrate its effectiveness across mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cognitive decline.

• A systematic review of 15 randomized controlled trials found that art therapy improved mental health outcomes for most participants. (NCBI Bookshelf)

• A 2021 review found positive results for depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms. (PubMed Central)

• Neuroscience research shows that creating and viewing art can enhance brain function, emotion regulation, and serotonin levels. (American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine)

• Art therapy has been shown to support recovery by stimulating neural pathways related to creativity and healing. (American Art Therapy Association)

Integrating Art Therapy with Other Treatments

Art therapy complements other clinical treatments offered at BryLin, including medication management, group therapy, and cognitive-behavioral interventions.

• It enhances talk therapy by visualizing emotions and internal experiences.

• It supports trauma treatment by providing a safe, creative “buffer” for painful memories.

• It fosters mindfulness and grounding, helping patients reconnect to the present.

• It can include bilateral stimulation, a key element in trauma-informed therapies such as EMDR.

As Eva explains, “The act of artmaking alone can be therapeutic … sometimes art is used as a coping skill for distraction, physical grounding, or mindfulness.”

For details about our full range of treatments, visit BryLin Hospital’s inpatient services page.

Inside an Art Therapy Session at BryLin

Because BryLin currently offers group art therapy, each session follows a structured, therapeutic flow:

1. Check-In: Patients share how they’re feeling that day.

2. Directive & Discussion: Eva introduces a theme or therapeutic goal.

3. Creative Process: Patients use materials like markers, pastels, collage, or clay while music plays softly in the background.

4. Reflection & Sharing: Participants discuss their artwork and emotions together.

On Fridays, BryLin hosts Open Art Studio, where patients choose their own materials and explore freely.

“This is the group I look forward to every day.”

“I never thought of myself as artistic, but I think this is a new coping skill for me.”

“Seeing it on paper really helped me work through what I’m dealing with.”

Many former patients continue making art after discharge – some even enrolling in art classes or individual therapy.

Learn more about BryLin’s inpatient programs for adults and youth.

BryLin’s Person-Centered Approach

What makes BryLin’s art therapy program meaningful is its adaptability. Eva tailors each session to meet the unique emotional and developmental needs of current patients.

• Children and Adolescents: Art therapy provides a voice for feelings that may be too complex to verbalize.

• Adults: It helps patients reconnect with resilience, insight, and self-worth.

• Crisis Settings: Art therapy provides emotional containment during acute psychiatric stabilization.

“I challenge myself to avoid redundancy, provide person-centered care, and create an environment where patients feel open and comfortable trying something new,” says Eva.

Explore more about BryLin’s 70-year legacy of compassionate care.

The Future of Art Therapy

The field continues to grow, backed by emerging neuroscience and advocacy for broader access.

• Research shows art therapy enhances brain connectivity and supports recovery. (Frontiers in Psychology)

• Advocates are pushing for Medicaid coverage of Creative Arts Therapy in New York State. (Times Union)

Learn more about another Evidence-Based Treatment provided at BryLin Hospital – Music Therapy.

Call to Action

At BryLin Hospital, art therapy helps patients of all ages rediscover hope and emotional strength during some of their most challenging moments.

If you or a loved one is struggling, call (716) 886-8200 or contact us to learn how our evidence-based care can help.

To explore more about the science and practice of art therapy, visit the American Art Therapy Association or the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine for clinical research and professional standards.