Creative therapy uses art forms like drawing, dance, music, drama, and writing. For creative therapies, one does not require any artistic abilities. Creative therapies are helpful for various mental, emotional, and physical issues. 

There are several different types of creative therapy. 

· Art therapy 

· Dance therapy 

· Drama therapy 

· Music therapy 

· Writing therapy 

Let’s see every therapy in detail. 

Art therapy 

People for many years relied on the arts to express their feelings, communicate, and heal. But art as a therapy starts around the 1940s. Since then, art has been a significant part of therapy and healing people from many issues. Techniques used in art therapy include: 

· Drawing 

· Painting 

· Doodling 

· Coloring 

· Photography 

· Sculpturing 

When people make art, the therapist asks them how they feel about their work. And from these questions,  people find what affects them, how they feel, think, and what their emotions and behaviours are. Art therapy treats stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and some physical problems. According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, an hour of creative activity can reduce stress and positively affect your mental health. One study also states that art therapy helps people having cancer improve their medical condition. 

Dance therapy 

Dance/movement therapy uses rhythmic movements to improve emotional, social, cognitive, and physical health. It helps people physically by strengthening them, increasing flexibility, and boosting coordination. It also reduces stress and reduces the symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

It also helps you explore and sense your movement and emotions. Make you more mindful about your body and breath. Help you process the feeling that arises from these rhythmic actions. It improves self-esteem and can be useful for people who suffer from body image issues. It was also helpful in some conditions like anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, eating disorders, and PTSD. For example, in some study reviews, dance therapy was an effective intervention for treating adults with depression. Another study noted the creative arts to have helped enhance interpersonal skills, cognitive skills, and overall quality of life. DMT can be a complementary treatment option for an eating disorder. 

Drama therapy 

Drama therapy is a unique therapy to deal with the problem, understand the situation, express yourself, and gain self-esteem. Drama therapy uses drama techniques like role play, storytelling, acting out stories, and puppets. One does not need to have an experience in drama therapy to try it out. Drama therapy is helpful for people with abusive pasts, dysfunctional families, older adults, and people with AIDS. In the general population, it is also beneficial to make them feel less isolated, teach them how to solve problems, improve self-esteem, and develop better-coping skills at home, school, and work. 

Music therapy 

Music therapy is unique and widely used therapy. Music therapy uses the naturally mood-lifting properties of music. It also involves making music, writing songs, singing, dancing to your favourite songs, and listening to new music. There are different types of music therapy. Benenzon music therapy, analytical music therapy, community music therapy, cognitive behavioural music therapy, vocal psychotherapy, Nordoff-Robbins music therapy, the bonny method of guided imagery, and music are the types of music therapy. Music therapy is helpful for people who have Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, stress, autism, chronic pain, cardiac condition, depression, headache, negative mood, etc. Studies have also supported that music therapy benefits those suffering from depression, insomnia, pain, cancer, and anxiety. 

Writing therapy 

Writing therapy helps people identify their feelings and make them verbalize them through writing. The therapist uses various therapeutic writing, including storytelling, poetry, dialogue, narratives, and, most importantly, journaling. Journaling is standard and essential for mental health, but generally, in writing therapy, the therapist guides the person through writing that targets specific issues and problems. They also help the person interpret their written words to discover the problem. As a result, writing therapy is highly beneficial to teens as well. Interestingly, studies also show that writing therapy is helpful not just for mental health but also for physical health too. 

If you want to go for any of the above therapies, ensure the therapist is certified with the specific treatment modal. For example, if you want to go for art therapy, make sure the therapist is board certified art therapist.