Coloring isn't a replacement for professional mental health care - but therapists increasingly use it as a complementary tool. Here's what the research and practitioners say.
The Clinical Research
A growing body of peer-reviewed research supports coloring as a therapeutic activity:
- A 2006 study in Art Therapy found that coloring a mandala for 20 minutes significantly reduced anxiety compared to coloring on a blank sheet
- Research published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association showed coloring reduced depression symptoms in a group of older adults over a 4-week period
- A 2017 systematic review found "moderate evidence" that coloring interventions reduce anxiety in adult populations
How Therapists Use Coloring
Grounding Technique
Therapists teach coloring as a grounding exercise - engaging the senses (feeling the pencil, seeing the colors, hearing the scratching sound) to anchor patients in the present moment during anxiety or flashbacks.
Emotion Regulation
The act of choosing colors to match or counteract emotions helps patients develop emotional awareness. A therapist might ask: "What color feels like your anxiety? Now color with the color that feels like calm."
Session Bridge Activity
Between therapy sessions, coloring provides a structured coping activity that patients can do independently. It's more accessible than journaling for some people and less intimidating than other art forms.
Conditions Where Coloring Helps
- Generalized Anxiety: The focused attention interrupts worry cycles
- PTSD: Provides grounding and a safe, controlled creative outlet
- Depression: Offers a low-barrier activity that creates a sense of accomplishment
- Insomnia: A calming pre-sleep ritual that's better than screens
- Chronic pain: Distraction and relaxation can reduce perceived pain intensity
Important Caveat
Coloring is a wellness activity, not a treatment. If you're struggling with mental health, please reach out to a licensed therapist. Coloring is a wonderful complement to professional care, not a substitute for it.
Start your coloring practice with our calming mandala patterns.