Expresses the wordless
Gives shape to feelings that are hard to say out loud.
Home / Therapy approaches / Art therapy
Evidence-based therapy approach
Art Therapy in Bangladesh
When feelings are hard to put into words, art therapy lets you express and process them through creating — guided by a trained psychologist. No art skill needed. Work with a licensed therapist online across Bangladesh, or in person in Dhaka.
★ 4.8 Google35,000+ sessions60+ licensed psychologists
Art therapy at a glance
- Typical length
- Often 6–12 sessions, longer for trauma
- Each session
- About 60 minutes
- Style
- Drawing, painting or clay alongside talking
- Skill needed
- None; it is about expression, not artistic talent
- Often used for
- Children, trauma, grief and feelings that are hard to name
- Format
- In person or online with simple materials at home
Meet the psychologists →In plain language: Art therapy is not an art class. Using drawing, colour, clay or collage, a trained therapist helps you express what is hard to say, understand your feelings, and heal. It is the process, not the picture, that matters.
The basics
What is art therapy?
Art therapy uses creative expression, guided by a qualified therapist, as a way to explore emotions and support mental health.
Some experiences are too painful, confusing or wordless to talk about directly — especially for children, or after trauma. Making something visual gives those feelings a safe outlet and a starting point for understanding. You do not need any talent; the therapist is not judging the artwork but helping you notice what surfaces through it. It can be used on its own or alongside talking therapy, and it works for children, teens and adults. In Bangladesh, where talking about emotions is often discouraged, art therapy can be a gentle, less confronting door into support.
How a session flows
Create, notice, talk
Art therapy gives feelings a shape before they have words. You make something, look at it together with the therapist, and talk only as much as you want to.
- CreateYou choose materials and make an image or object. It is about expression, not making it look good.
- NoticeTogether you look at colours, shapes and what stands out, without judging.
- TalkYou decide what the image means. Words often come more easily once the feeling is on paper.
Illustration of a typical art therapy session.
How it works
Why creating helps
A safe distance
Exploring difficult experiences through images feels safer than direct talk.
Lowers pressure
Less confronting than face-to-face talking, especially for children.
Reveals patterns
What emerges in the work opens up understanding and conversation.
Calms the body
The act of creating can be soothing and regulating in itself.
Builds confidence
Making and reflecting fosters a sense of agency and self-worth.
Why people choose it
What are the benefits?
Good when words fail
Ideal if you find it hard to talk, or for young children.
Gentle for trauma
Processes painful experiences without forcing detailed retelling.
Reduces stress
Creative focus eases anxiety and calms the mind.
Self-understanding
Insight into emotions through what you create.
Works with other therapy
Blends well with CBT or talking therapy.
All ages
Effective for children, teens and adults alike.
Choosing well
Is art therapy right for me?
A good fit if you
- find it hard to put feelings into words
- are looking for help for a child or teenager who does not open up in talk
- carry grief or a painful experience that feels too big to talk about directly
- feel calmer when you work with your hands
Another approach may suit first if
- you are in crisis or feel unsafe: call 999 or go to the nearest hospital
- you want practical skills for worry or low mood: CBT
- you are looking for help for a young child: play therapy is often the first step
- flashbacks or nightmares are the main problem: EMDR or trauma-focused CBT
Not sure? Many of our psychologists use creative methods within wider therapy; tell us your concern and we will suggest the best fit.
Inside the work
What sessions involve
A safe, no-judgement space
You are reassured that skill does not matter — only expression.
Create freely
Drawing, colour, clay or collage, guided gently by the therapist.
Reflect together
Exploring what came up and what it means for you.
Make sense & heal
Turning insight into understanding and coping.
Where it helps
What it can help with
Children’s emotions
A natural way for children to express and process feelings.
Trauma
Processing painful experiences safely and indirectly.
Grief & loss
Giving form to loss that is hard to speak about.
Anxiety & stress
Calming, regulating creative focus.
Low self-esteem
Building confidence and self-expression.
When words are hard
For anyone who struggles to talk about feelings.
Who can help
Psychologists you can talk to about art therapy
These licensed psychologists can assess whether art therapy suits you and, if a specialist fits better, refer you to the right colleague. Not sure who to choose? We will match you.
Shaheen Nafisa Siddique
From ৳4,500
Mst. Swampa
From ৳3,000BCPS-verified
Nayeema Haque
From ৳2,500
Mesbahul Islam
From ৳3,500BCPS-verified
Tamima Tanjin
From ৳3,500BCPS-verified
Salma Parveen
From ৳4,500BCPS-verified
Hazera Khatun
From ৳3,500BCPS-verified
Dr. Tarun Kanti Gayen
From ৳4,500BCPS-verified
Ishrat Shermin Rahman
From ৳4,000BCPS-verified
Nazme Ara
From ৳3,000BCPS-verified
Samsun Nahar
From ৳2,200BCPS-verified
Mst. Hasina Khatun
From ৳4,000
Choosing safely
Questions to ask a therapist
- What training do you have in art therapy?
- Is it suitable for me or my child’s needs?
- What might a session look like?
- Do I need any materials or skill? (No.)
- Can it be combined with talking therapy?
- Can it be adapted to our language and culture?
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be good at art?
Not at all. Art therapy is about expression and process, not skill or a finished picture. The therapist never judges the artwork.
Is it only for children?
No. It helps children, teens and adults — anyone who finds words difficult or who benefits from a gentler, creative approach.
Is art therapy evidence-based?
Yes. It is a recognised therapeutic approach, particularly valuable for trauma, grief, and working with children.
Can it be done online?
Yes, with simple materials at home, guided over secure video — or in person in Dhaka. Your therapist advises the best format.
Is it available in Bangla?
Yes. Many of our therapists work in Bangla or English.
How much does a session cost?
Chum Wellness sessions start from BDT 1,000 and vary by therapist. The exact fee is confirmed before you book.
Read more
Related articles & guides
Practical, Bangladesh-specific reading from the Chum blog on this topic.
How to Start Therapy from Abroad with a Bangladesh-Based PsychologistRead article →Overcoming the Fear of Starting TherapyRead article →Psychosexual Therapy in Bangladesh: When Sexual Problems Start in the MindRead article →What Bangladeshis Bring to Therapy: 355 Requests (2026)Read article →How Trauma Therapy Works: Healing After TraumaRead article →What Can Therapy Help With?Read article →
Ready when you are
Some feelings are easier to show than say
Tell us what you or your child are going through. We will match you with a licensed psychologist who uses creative and art-based methods, online across Bangladesh or in person in Dhaka.
