How Art Therapy Helps Men Meet Their Basic Needs: A Maslow-Inspired Approach
By Jennifer Seniuk | Belly Eye Art Therapy | My Friend Dave Project
In a world where many men are taught to “suck it up” rather than speak it out, Art Therapy offers a gentle, powerful alternative: say it with paint, with clay, with charcoal. Express it without having to explain it. And in doing so, meet some of the most essential human needs—needs that psychologist Abraham Maslow once mapped out in his Hierarchy of Needs.
In this post, we’ll explore how creative expression is not just “art for art’s sake,” but a vital, often missing, tool for men’s mental health. We’ll also look at how Art Therapy aligns with each level of Maslow’s hierarchy, building the foundation for healing, regulation, and ultimately, self-actualization.
What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
Maslow’s theory outlines a pyramid of human needs:
Physiological (food, water, sleep)
Safety (security, stability)
Love & Belonging (connection, intimacy, friendship)
Esteem (recognition, self-worth)
Self-Actualization (creativity, purpose, potential)
Maslow believed we must meet lower-level needs before we can fully reach the higher levels. But what happens when trauma, shame, or emotional suppression blocks that climb?
That’s where Art Therapy steps in.
1. Art as a Bridge to the Body’s Basic Needs
Trauma often lodges in the body. When we ignore it, we live in a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze. In Art Therapy, the act of creating—cutting, coloring, smudging, sculpting—activates the sensory nervous system, helping regulate the brain and reconnect with the body’s internal signals.
Suddenly, you're breathing deeper. You’re noticing hunger cues. You're sleeping better. These are not coincidences—they’re physiological needs being met.
2. Safety Through Creative Structure
Creating art within a safe, non-judgmental space provides predictability and containment. The edges of the paper become the boundaries. The materials offer control in a world that often feels chaotic.
Men who have experienced trauma or instability may find it difficult to feel safe—even in therapy. But with Art Therapy, the safety isn’t forced. It’s felt through the rhythm of the creative process.
3. Love & Belonging: Art as Connection
Whether in group art therapy sessions or collaborative projects like The My Friend Dave Project, art becomes a language of shared experience.
Many men express feeling isolated, particularly around mental health. Creating together provides an unspoken, but deeply felt, sense of belonging. You don’t have to say the “right” thing—you just have to show up and make something real.
💬 Want to learn more about how community art builds connection? Check out our Digital Storytelling Series on YouTube.
4. Esteem Through Creative Expression
Art allows men to see themselves clearly, often for the first time. The finished product is more than an image—it’s a reflection of identity, struggle, resilience, and growth.
Creating builds confidence. Even more so when a piece is displayed, shared, or simply validated. It challenges internalized beliefs like "I'm not good enough" or "I don’t matter."
5. Self-Actualization: When the Art Becomes the Healing
At the top of Maslow’s hierarchy sits Self-Actualization: creativity, purpose, authenticity. For many men, especially those who’ve lived in survival mode, this level feels like a far-off dream.
But through Art Therapy, self-expression becomes possible again. It’s no longer about “fixing” what's broken—but celebrating what’s whole. This is where art transforms from therapeutic tool to personal liberation.
Final Thoughts
Art Therapy isn’t just about painting pictures—it’s about rebuilding the human pyramid from the ground up. It offers a trauma-informed path to reconnecting with our needs, our bodies, our communities, and ultimately, our purpose.
If you're a man struggling to feel safe, connected, or whole—know that you're not alone. There is nothing weak about expressing yourself. In fact, it's the strongest thing you can do.
➤ Curious about working together?
Join a men’s art therapy group, book a session, or find free resources on our My Friend Dave homepage.
✅ Let’s climb that pyramid together—one brushstroke at a time.