Your Therapy Homework: Get to the Theater |
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Research shows art appreciation has psychological and social benefits.
Therapeutic engagement with the arts can include outings such as the theater, museums, or botanical gardens.
Many people won't go to therapy, but art-based activities can still help support physical and mental health.
What if therapists gave clients homework of attending the theater, an art show, a storytelling slam, or an arboretum? Sounds a bit unusual? Recent research has "set the stage" for this consideration, showing that engaging with the arts and theater may actually help prevent diabetes. Not convinced? Let's walk through some of the recent findings.
Theoretical Grounding
Behavioral activation is a well-known and effective intervention for a variety of mental health conditions. Therapists collaborate with their clients to create lists of previously enjoyed activities and then make weekly schedules for them. Helping people engage in activities, even if they don't feel motivated, can be a powerful intervention to increase psychological health.Key themes from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) have also guided the selection of activities. A key principle of this approach is the pursuit of values-based activity. Therapists help clients identify their values and then draw upon them as motivation to approach challenging activities and move toward their best selves.
Social prescribing is a growing movement in which healthcare providers encourage people to engage in their communities, often to reduce loneliness and increase connection. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy named social isolation as an epidemic and shed light on the immense power of and need for community. He offered this call to action in many forums, including his New York Times bestselling book, Together: The Healing Power of Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World.
Arts on prescription is a subtype of social prescribing in which people engage specifically with artistic activities (e.g., dance, music, theater, visual arts, poetry writing, visiting museums or botanical gardens). These activities are not intended to be art therapy, art classes, skill development, or psychotherapy; rather, they focus on the process of engaging with the arts, community building, doing meaningful activities, and play.
Although research is in its infancy, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that arts on prescription can improve both social and psychological well-being. More research is needed to further elucidate the necessary duration of activity and ways to overcome barriers to engagement.
Acknowledgement of the benefits of the arts as mental health treatment has even shown up in state legislation. In March of 2026, Georgia became the first state to pass legislation (HR 1007) that officially names the arts as an important resource for mental health. They are hopeful this law will stimulate clinician training and funding for arts-based activities as part of the array of mental health services.
Applications on University Campuses
The concept of encouraging people to participate in various arts and cultural experiences is being applied on university campuses. For example, the University of Michigan has an ArtsRX program that connects the university community with local art activities to enhance well-being.
Similarly, an Atlanta-based company, Art Pharmacy, partners with university leaders and student counseling departments (currently including Stanford University and the University of Arizona). Participating students are matched with “navigators” (licensed social workers) who then facilitate connections with local arts and activities. Preliminary data from Art Pharmacy’s evaluation has found reductions in depression and anxiety and improved well-being after participating.
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Prevention of Diabetes
And there's more: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing tracks numerous variables around social engagement before and after a diagnosis of diabetes. The research focuses on middle-aged and older adults in England. New research from this project specifically examines participants' cultural engagement, which they define as museum, theatre, and cinema attendance.
Individuals who developed diabetes not only had lower in-person and telephone contact with others before and after diagnosis, but they also were less likely to engage in cultural activities. Specifically, 29 percent of adults who became diabetic engaged in cultural activities regularly; this is significantly fewer than the 44 percent of the healthy comparisons who participated in cultural events consistently. Although further research is needed, the potential benefits of engagement with the arts may be quantifiable in both physical and mental health.
The Role of the Arts in Therapy
With this context, might there be specific benefits to encouraging therapy clients to partake in artistic or theatrical experiences? I believe so! As a lifelong lover of the arts, I have been struck by the healing power of theater, both for participants and audience members. Something special transpires when people gather together to create and enjoy live art.
How might therapists do this?
Have community events posted in your waiting rooms.
When you come across a community artistic event that might interest a client, raise the opportunity in session.
Ask a local artistic group (theater, museum, arboretum, etc.) if they can provide discounted tickets to reduce barriers to participation.
Encourage clients to consider volunteering with an arts group that interests them, both as a way to build community and connect with culture.
Explore what may be occurring at local colleges and universities in your area regarding arts on prescription; either get involved or help start something.
The reality is that most people will not attend therapy. So many factors are barriers, such as stigma, access, insurance coverage, distance, schedules, and culturally appropriate care. Thus, it’s incumbent upon us to have a continuum of activities that may support both physical and mental health. Research is growing about the benefits of participating in artistic and cultural activities, and there’s very little risk. Perhaps it's something to consider with your clients this week?
To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
Hackett, R. A., Zavos, H., & Poole, L. (2025). Social engagement before and after diabetes diagnosis: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Health Psychology, 45(2), 141–149.
Jensen, A., Holt, N., Honda, S., & Bungay, H. (2024). The impact of arts on prescription on individual health and wellbeing: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 12,1412306.
Murthy, V. H. (2020). Together: The healing power of human connection in a sometimes lonely world. Harper.
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