Art therapy is used across both clinical and community settings, making it a versatile and responsive form of psychological support.

Clinically, art therapy can be accessed privately or within health services, schools, care and institutional settings.

Art therapy can also be applied within community contexts, used used to promote wellbeing, connection, and emotional resilience within groups, organisations, and educational environments.

In the UK, art therapy is a regulated healthcare profession. Practitioners must complete accredited postgraduate training and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This regulation ensures that art therapists work ethically, safely, and within clear professional standards. In Cyprus, art therapy is not yet state-regulated in the same way; however, practice is supported through the professional body CARTA, which promotes ethical frameworks, training standards, and ongoing professional development.

Art therapy is suitable to everyone but ca be useful for particularly children and young people, as well as individuals who find verbal expression difficult. Emotions, memories, and experiences are not always easily put into words — especially for those who are young, neurodivergent, or affected by trauma. Creative processes can help these experiences find a way of being expressed.

Because imagery and creativity is universal, art therapy is also highly effective in cross-cultural work. It offers inclusive, non-verbal pathways for communication beyond cultural differences and language barriers.