A Place of Hope and Healing Through Creative Expression 

Years ago, Dallas Art Therapy founder Andrea Davis attended an art therapy exhibit hosted by the now-closed Art Therapy Institute in Dallas. At that exhibit one piece, a handmade doll with a torn dress carefully mended in each spot, truly stood out to her. Attached to the doll was a letter from its creator, written to her younger self. In the note, the creator promised to care for her inner DAT volunteers at Back to School event for veterans’ families it. A recent interview with Davis shed light on this very special nonprofit organization. child, both then and now, despite past neglect. Witnessing that “mending” of a painful past through art was deeply moving to Davis. In that moment, Davis knew that, despite having just earned a Master’s degree in humanistic psychology, she had to become an art therapist. In 2017, Davis founded Dallas Art Therapy to make art therapy accessible to anyone in the community who needed. 

Artwork of eight-year-old boy mentioned in Davis’s responses

Otte: What is the core mission of Dallas Art Therapy, and how does it guide your work in the community?  

Davis: We believe in creating a safe space for individuals to explore difficult emotions without feeling overwhelmed. 

By externalizing experiences through art, people can gain new insights and work through layers of emotion at their own pace—an approach that often leads to more sustainable healing, self-discovery, and authentic living. We mentor art therapy master’s students and graduates who are trained to use art and psychology to help clients tap into their creative resources, address real-life challenges, and nurture emotional well-being. This vision drives all our efforts, from forming new partnerships to creating environments where art can be a transformative tool. We also strive to advance the art therapy profession. Currently, we’re supporting Senator Royce West’s SB 1081 and Representative Rafael Anchia’s HB 4557, which both advocate for art therapy licensure. By endorsing these bills, we aim to join the 14 other states that already have licensure, allowing more people to benefit from credentialed art therapy. 

Otte: How would you describe the impact of art therapy on individuals’ mental and emotional well-being? 

Davis: Art therapy offers a holistic way to promote mental and emotional health by merging sensory experiences, cognitive processing, and creative expression. For those who struggle with traditional talk therapy, art provides a nonverbal avenue for exploring complex feelings, developing coping skills, and processing life’s challenges. The creative process itself can be both empowering and revealing; participants often see tangible evidence of their growth through their artwork. Licensed art therapists play a key role, guiding clients in a safe, supportive environment. They help clients process the artwork, offer emotional support, and foster self reflection. Through this blend of creativity, professional insight, and self exploration, art therapy helps reduce anxiety, promotes self-awareness, and cultivates a sense of personal empowerment. 

Art about art therapy

Otte: What types of individuals or communities typically seek services from Dallas Art Therapy? 

Davis: Our clients range from children and teens to adults and seniors, each facing different challenges—trauma, grief, chronic illness, or developmental and behavioral issues. Many come via referrals from schools, community groups like the VA, and other healthcare providers, while others f ind us through word-of-mouth or our website at dallasarttherapy.org.

Otte: Is there a particular success story or transformation you’ve seen in one of your clients that you can share with our readers? 

Davis: One example involves an eight-year-old boy whose drawing skills and academic performance were both below expectations for his age. During art therapy sessions, we offered him a variety of art materials and art directives, which not only helped him explore his natural creativity but also gave him a nonverbal outlet to process difficult emotions, specifically surrounding family conflict, loss and addiction. Through his artwork, he found a way to externalize the grief of losing a parent, creating a visual narrative that captured the emotional complexity he couldn’t express in words. Over time, as he gave space for his grief to be seen in art therapy sessions, his drawing skills developed, and his academic performance improved right alongside them. This progress underscores how essential hands-on art-making can be—particularly in a world where children increasingly rely on screens and may miss out on the developmental advantages of drawing or handwriting. By harnessing the tactile and sensory aspects of creativity, art therapy not only helped him process his emotions but also bolstered his coordination, self-esteem, and overall success in the classroom. 

Otte: How is Dallas Art Therapy funded? 

Davis: We rely on a diverse funding model which combines individual, corporate and community donations; grants from government and private foundations aimed at mental health or arts-based programs; and program fees with a sliding-scale fee for out-of pocket clients. For those who prefer to use insurance, we share space with Davis Art Therapy & Counseling, an in-network provider for many insurance plans. We also host fundraising events. Initiatives such as the North Texas Giving Day, community projects, and our annual Anita Mester symposium help us raise awareness and support our work. Otte: What are your ties to Richardson? How do you engage with the community to raise awareness about art therapy and its benefits? Davis: Richardson holds a special place in our hearts—its diverse, arts rich community aligns with our passion for creative expression. We’re a proud member of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and collaborate with school counselors in Richardson ISD, who refer students to us for art therapy services. We also host Workshops, like those with the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and Leadership Richardson, alongside our weekly Thursday SOS open studio. Our current collaboration with the UTD 180 Degrees student team is helping us fine-tune our website and processes for collecting outcome data for art therapy services. In addition, we partner with local mental health professionals and engage UTD psychology student volunteers, ensuring that the healing power of art therapy remains visible and available to the broader Richardson community.

For more information about Dallas Art Therapy, go to dallasarttherapy.org or on Instagram @dallasarttherapy.