Can Art Really Help You Heal? This Book Says Yes

Book Review: Essential Art Therapy Exercises by Leah Guzman

A hands-on guide to healing anxiety, depression, and trauma through accessible creative practice

In Essential Art Therapy Exercises, Leah Guzman offers a compassionate, well-organized guide to using creativity as a tool for emotional healing. Drawing on her extensive experience as a board-certified art therapist, Guzman curates over 100 exercises that support readers in processing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress through expressive visual work. The book’s tone is warm and grounded, balancing therapeutic insight with real-world practicality.

This is not a workbook for artists. It is a resource for anyone who wants to better understand their emotional world and access deeper levels of healing through creative exploration.

What the book promises

The book promises a collection of art therapy techniques that are clinically informed yet accessible to non-therapists. Guzman presents art-making as a non-verbal language that allows individuals to externalize, explore, and transform emotions that may be too difficult to access through words alone.

She assures the reader that no artistic skill is required. Instead, what is needed is a willingness to engage with materials and follow prompts designed to help uncover inner experiences. The promise is both clear and reassuring: if you are open to the process, these exercises can help you move through emotional pain and reconnect with self-awareness, strength, and peace.

What the book delivers

Guzman delivers on her promise with an extensive and well-categorized catalogue of exercises, organized into chapters on drawing and painting, sculpture and textiles, digital media, writing, and collage. Each activity includes clear materials lists, estimated time, step-by-step guidance, and reflective questions.

What sets this book apart is how thoughtfully each exercise aligns with therapeutic goals. Activities are not presented as generic crafts, but as intentional emotional processes. For example, “Bridge Drawing” helps readers reflect on transitions, while “Safe Place” supports trauma recovery. Exercises such as “Stress in the Body” invite somatic awareness, offering a creative lens for processing pain and building resilience.

Guzman also includes a foundational overview of art therapy and its origins. She situates her work within the cognitive-behavioural art therapy (CBAT) model and references supportive research without overwhelming the reader with academic jargon. For those working independently, she offers practical guidance on setting up a healing space, choosing materials, and processing emotional responses.

Style and structure

The book is written in a calm and encouraging tone. Guzman writes like a therapist who truly wants you to succeed, not by pushing you, but by gently walking beside you. Her instructions are clear, her suggestions thoughtful, and her encouragement sincere. This grounded voice makes even the most emotionally charged exercises feel safe and doable.

The structure is modular, which works well for both clinicians and individuals working alone. You can flip to any section and find a relevant exercise. The layout is user-friendly, with bullet points for materials and questions, and short prefaces that explain the therapeutic intention behind each prompt.

What also stands out is how well the exercises are paced. Many are short enough to complete in under an hour, with longer projects available for deeper processing. The book flows like a toolkit rather than a textbook, making it ideal for ongoing use.

Where the book shines

The strongest aspect of Essential Art Therapy Exercises is its blend of clinical grounding with emotional sensitivity. Guzman’s background as a therapist comes through in the care she puts into each exercise, especially those that address difficult topics like trauma and grief. She anticipates the emotional reactions that may arise and encourages reflection without pressure.

Her repeated reminders to focus on the process, not the product, reinforce a spirit of compassion. For readers who are anxious about doing it “right,” her tone is reassuring. She reminds us that the act of creating holds value even if the result feels messy, incomplete, or unclear.

The variety of media is also a major strength. Readers can engage with traditional materials like pencil and paint or experiment with photography, digital collage, clay, and even Pinterest. This flexibility makes the book accessible to people with different creative preferences and material availability.

Finally, the inclusion of guided meditations, warm-ups, and check-in tools adds emotional scaffolding. These pieces make the book feel more like a companion than a manual.

Light limitations

While the book is inclusive and supportive, some exercises that address deeper trauma may benefit from more cautionary framing. Although Guzman notes that readers should consult a therapist if distress arises, more emphasis could be placed on recognising signs of overwhelm and accessing professional support.

The format, while easy to navigate, might feel overwhelming due to the sheer number of options. Readers who are new to emotional work or uncertain about where to begin may benefit from a roadmap or suggested sequence of beginner-friendly exercises. While each chapter stands alone, a “getting started” path through the book could offer helpful guidance.

Lastly, although the book refers to CBAT, some readers may desire more integration between theory and practice. A few short case examples or reader reflections could deepen the connection between the exercises and their therapeutic outcomes.

Final thoughts

Essential Art Therapy Exercises is a generous and well-crafted resource. Leah Guzman brings her clinical wisdom, personal insight, and creative compassion together in a guide that feels both accessible and meaningful. She creates a space where art becomes a language for healing, and where the process of making is as important as what is made.

This book does not promise quick fixes. It offers something more lasting: a way to gently meet yourself in the present moment, one colour, texture, and line at a time.

Highly recommended for therapists, educators, caregivers, and individuals seeking accessible, art-based tools for emotional resilience.