In this episode of Look Again: Mental Illness Re-examined, we explore how art therapy can help people living with serious mental illnesses and their family/caretakers. Through conversations with art therapist Nicole Parekh and artist Sandra Yuen, we examine how creative expression can offer a powerful, non-verbal way to process experiences, build connection, and support recovery. While art isn’t a replacement for treatment, it can help people reconnect with themselves, find meaning, and express what words sometimes cannot.

Timecodes:

(0:22) What is art therapy?

(1:37) How art therapy actually works

(3:57) Art therapy vs regular art classes

(5:12) Why art helps express what words can’t

(7:18) Art therapy & schizophrenia: real benefits

(9:04) Can art therapy support recovery?

(10:45) When art therapy might not be enough

(11:30) How creativity rebuilds identity

(13:33) Real story: from chaos to stability through art

(14:41) The power of community in mental health recovery

(15:17) A simple art therapy exercise you can try at home

(18:24) How families can use creativity to support loved ones

(19:55) Why art is a powerful coping tool

(21:16) Sandra’s story about living with schizophrenia

(23:11) How art helped rebuild confidence & purpose

(24:08) The meaning behind Sandra’s artwork

(25:23) Why art can’t replace medication (but still matters)