INTERVIEW WITH KIT LOUIS
In simple terms, can you explain what art therapy is about to those who might not know what it is?
Art therapy is not about making something beautiful—it’s about making something honest.
It’s a mental health practice that uses art materials and the therapeutic relationship to create a safe space, where people can express feelings that are often hard to put into words. Sometimes a line, a colour, or even a piece of clay can say what we cannot. And from there, we begin to understand ourselves a little more.
What does art therapy mean to you and how did you first discover about art therapy as a practice?
To me, art therapy is where art meets something deeply human—our need to be seen, understood, and held.
I’ve always felt that images, colours, symbols and metaphors can speak in ways words cannot. When I first experienced art therapy through a workshop at church, I was surprised by how much it stayed with me after. It wasn’t just about the art—it was about what surfaced quietly through the process. That experience stayed, and eventually led me to pursue it as a career.
When did you first realize that you wanted to be an art therapist? Was it your first career choice?
It wasn’t my first path. I spent over 10 years in advertising and art direction, learning how visuals communicate and influence.
But over time, I became less interested in what art could sell, and more interested in what it could reveal. I noticed how creating art for myself brought a sense of grounding and clarity. And I began to wonder—what if this could be used to support people, not just reach them?
That question slowly led me here.
“To me, art therapy is where art meets something deeply human—our need to be seen, understood, and held."
What is the greatest joy of being an art therapist?
Watching something shift—sometimes very quietly.  It might be in the artwork, or in the way someone begins to relate to it differently. A feeling that was once overwhelming becomes something they can sit with, or even understand. Those moments are often small, but they carry a lot of meaning.
How did you find out about The Red Pencil (Singapore)?
I first came across The Red Pencil (Singapore) during my training at LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore. As a student and fresh graduate, it was a space that offered real opportunities to work with different communities. It gave me exposure, guidance, and, most importantly, a chance to witness how art therapy can reach people across very different life situations. More than 10 years on, I continue to partner with The Red Pencil (Singapore) and value the opportunity to collaborate on a range of projects.

“It was a quiet but powerful reminder that expression doesn’t depend on ability—it depends on being given the space and love."
Can you share with us more about the greatest moment or most unforgettable experience you have had thus far working with The Red Pencil (Singapore)?
It’s hard to choose just one moment.
There are many—an elderly participant who felt a little less alone after a session, a child who slowly begins to trust again, or someone who finds a way to express what they’ve been holding for a long time.
One experience that stayed with me was working with children with severe physical and neurological conditions. Despite their limitations, when they engaged in sensory art-making, you could see moments of joy, connection, even pride.
It was a quiet but powerful reminder that expression doesn’t depend on ability—it depends on being given the space and love.
What are some of the challenges you have experienced as an art therapist, and what do you think are some common misconceptions about art therapy?
A common misconception is that art therapy is just arts and crafts, or something purely recreational. In reality, it is a trained mental health profession grounded in psychology, human development, and therapeutic frameworks. The art is not the end goal—it is the bridge. One of the ongoing challenges is helping others see the depth of the work, and that what looks simple on the surface often carries a lot of care, intention, and clinical thinking behind it.
Do you have any advice for budding art therapists out there who want to start this profession?
Keep coming back to the core—art, process, and relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in techniques, but what truly matters is your ability to stay present, to listen, and to hold space. And also, continue making art for yourself. It keeps you connected to the very thing you are offering others.
From your experience, how do you think art therapy impacted the lives of your clients?
It gives people a place to put what they are carrying. For some, it helps them understand their emotions. For others, it offers a sense of calm, or a way to feel less alone. Over time, it can support healthier ways of coping, relating, and making sense of their experiences. Sometimes the changes are small, but they ripple into everyday life.
How does being an art therapist affect your life?
It slows me down. It reminds me to listen more carefully—not just to others, but to what is happening beneath the surface. It also keeps me grounded in my own creative practice, because I believe we can only guide others as far as we are willing to go ourselves. In many ways, it continues to shape how I see people, and how I hold space in my own life—as a therapist, and also in the quieter roles I carry.