The role of texture in multisensory art therapy
A tactile doorway to healing
Imagine running your fingers over a patch of soft velvet, feeling its gentle caress. Now picture gripping a rough stone, grounding yourself in its weight and gritty surface. These sensations don’t just engage the skin - they awaken emotions, memories, and stories that words often cannot reach.
In the world of art therapy, texture holds a transformative power. By integrating tactile elements into creative practices, therapists and clients can access a deeper level of healing, mindfulness, and self-expression. When combined with other sensory elements like scent or sound, textures become a key player in multisensory art therapy - a dynamic approach to connecting the mind, body, and emotions.
Why texture matters in art therapy
1. Texture as a bridge to emotions
Textures often bypass the thinking mind and speak directly to our feelings. When we touch something soft, rough, or patterned, it activates parts of our brain linked to emotion and memory. This is why the softness of fur might comfort us or the sharpness of sandpaper could stir resilience. In therapy, this connection allows clients to:
Explore emotions they didn’t realize they were holding.
Express feelings that can’t be captured in words.
Connect with personal stories tied to tactile sensations.
2. Grounding and self-regulation
For people feeling overwhelmed by stress or anxiety, textures provide a calming anchor. Touching a smooth stone or running fingers along a textured surface pulls attention to the present moment. This tactile engagement helps to regulate emotions and settle a racing mind.
3. Enhancing creativity and expression
Adding textures to art opens up new avenues for creativity. Clients have the possibility to:
Layer different materials to create depth.
Use textures to represent emotions or experiences.
Combine tactile elements with sight and sound for more dynamic expression.
The multisensory approach: Texture meets scent, sound, and more
Multisensory art therapy amplifies texture’s impact by engaging other senses like smell and hearing. This creates richer, more meaningful experiences.
Textures and scent
Adding scents to textured materials can deepen emotional connections. Just imagine the following:
pairing soft fabric with lavender to evoke calm and nostalgia or
combining rough bark with the earthy scent of cedar for grounding.
Textures and sound
Textures are not only visual or tactile - they also carry sound. Think about the satisfying crunch of footsteps on gravel, the whisper of fingers running over soft fabric, or the sharp rasp of sandpaper against wood. These auditory elements create a multisensory experience, engaging us on a deeper emotional level.
Practical applications in therapy
1. Texture exploration kits
Therapists can create kits filled with varied textures like smooth stones, fabric scraps, and soft feathers. These kits can:
encourage playful exploration
help clients focus during moments of distress
spark conversations through tactile storytelling
2. Textured collages
Using materials like fabric, natural items, or layered paper, clients can create collages that:
symbolize emotions or personal stories
offer a hands-on way to process complex feelings
build confidence in creative decision-making
3. Multisensory artwork
Blending texture with scent, sound, or movement transforms traditional art therapy. For example:
sculpting with scented clay can soothe and engage simultaneously
painting with textured tools while listening to calming music fosters mindfulness
Scientific insights supporting texture therapy
1. How textures touch emotions
When you feel a texture, your brain’s somatosensory cortex comes alive. This area communicates with the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain, to link touch with feelings and memories. That’s why a familiar texture can remind you of a specific time or place, stirring emotions that might otherwise stay hidden.
2. Building resilience through neuroplasticity
Every time we engage with textures, our brain creates and strengthens neural connections. This adaptability, called neuroplasticity, is enhanced when multiple senses work together. Touching a textured surface while smelling a calming scent like lavender strengthens the mind-body connection and fosters emotional resilience.
3. Grounding the nervous system
Textures help calm the nervous system, especially during stress. When you engage with something tactile - like kneading soft dough or holding a smooth pebble - it signals your parasympathetic nervous system to relax, reducing fight-or-flight responses and bringing a sense of safety.
4. The power of sensory integration
Combining textures with other senses strengthens emotional regulation. Activities like sculpting clay infused with essential oils or layering textured papers while listening to rhythmic music encourage mindfulness, helping clients stay present and engaged.
5. Everyday applications
Studies show that tactile journaling or simple texture exploration can improve self-awareness and emotional processing. Just to give you an example, attaching textured materials to journal pages can encourage reflection and deepen insights into feelings or experiences.
Textures in your daily life
Textures aren’t just for therapy - they’re a powerful tool anyone can use to nurture emotional well-being and creativity. Try these simple ways to bring texture into your day:
Nature walks: Collect leaves, bark, or stones and notice how they feel.
Tactile journaling: Add small textured items to your journal and reflect on the emotions they evoke.
Creative play: Use textured tools like sponges or natural objects to make art that reflects your mood.
Unlocking healing through touch
Texture is more than a physical sensation - it’s a way to connect with your emotions, find calm, and express your unique story. When paired with other sensory elements in art therapy, textures unlock new ways to heal and grow. Whether you’re an artist, a therapist, or simply curious about the tactile world, there’s no limit to what textures can teach us.
Let the story of textures guide your journey, one touch at a time.
