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  • What Is Color Therapy?What Is Color Therapy?
  • What Are the Types?What Are the Types?
  • Common TechniquesCommon Techniques
  • What Are the Benefits?What Are the Benefits?
  • Is It a Good Fit for Me?Is It a Good Fit for Me?
  • How to Practice ItHow to Practice It
  • Finding a Color TherapistFinding a Color Therapist
  • ConclusionConclusion
  • InfographicsInfographics
  • Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources
Articles on Therapy Techniques What Type of Therapy Do I Need Types of Therapists Best Online Therapy

Color Therapy: Types, Techniques, & Benefits

Headshot of Andrea Brognano

Author: Andrea Brognano, LMHC, LPC, NCC

Headshot of Andrea Brognano

Andrea Brognano LMHC, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS

Andrea empowers clients with compassion, specializing in corporate mental health, stress management, and empowering women entrepreneurs.

See My Bio Editorial Policy
Headshot of Heidi Moawad, MD

Medical Reviewer: Heidi Moawad, MD Licensed medical reviewer

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Heidi Moawad MD

Heidi Moawad, MD is a neurologist with 20+ years of experience focusing on
mental health disorders, behavioral health issues, neurological disease, migraines, pain, stroke, cognitive impairment, multiple sclerosis, and more.

See My Bio Editorial Policy
Published: August 25, 2023
  • What Is Color Therapy?What Is Color Therapy?
  • What Are the Types?What Are the Types?
  • Common TechniquesCommon Techniques
  • What Are the Benefits?What Are the Benefits?
  • Is It a Good Fit for Me?Is It a Good Fit for Me?
  • How to Practice ItHow to Practice It
  • Finding a Color TherapistFinding a Color Therapist
  • ConclusionConclusion
  • InfographicsInfographics
  • Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

Color therapy incorporates colored light and imagery to help combat symptoms of numerous mental health conditions. Ancient civilizations first developed this approach, believing it could positively impact a person’s chakras. In modern days, color therapy may be used to help treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other concerns.

What Is Color Therapy?

Color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, incorporates color into treatment, whether through colored lights, specific daily color choices (i.e., clothing, paint colors, etc.), or colored imagery. Color therapy is rooted in Ayurvedic medicine and is practiced globally, particularly in Japan, India, and Egypt.

Color therapy can be helpful in the treatment of:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Seasonal affective disorder
  • Sleep disorders
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Postpartum depression

History of Color Therapy

The history of color therapy dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece, India, and China. These cultures focused on tapping into Ayurvedic medicine and understanding the healing properties of colors. For example, many temples were built to reflect light in certain ways, and houses were painted to induce different energies and moods. In Indian culture, it is believed that colors are linked to one’s chakra. Thus, using colors in treatment can help align and fix a person’s chakras.1

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Therapy can be an effective approach to depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, trauma, and many other mental health and emotional challenges. Use the ChoosingTherapy.com Directory to find a licensed therapist near you. Many therapists accept insurance, offer in-person and online appointments, and have immediate availability.

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Types of Color Therapy

Including color therapy in your life does not need to be complicated. Think about it–we see colors everywhere, all of the time. Wearing particular clothes, looking at specific images, and colored light bulbs can make a difference in your mood and disposition throughout the day. Color therapists argue that each color elicits particular changes, therefore adjusting colors used throughout treatment to enact different results.

The types of color therapy include:

  • Red: Red is a powerful color that increases energy by stimulating the lymphatic system. However, red may also trigger stress as it is often used to notate the end of something or alert someone of danger.
  • Orange: This color is often associated with one’s mind-body connection. Using this color in therapy may help heal one’s relationship with food.
  • Yellow: Yellow brings warmth, yielding its association with happiness. When exposed to yellow, a person feels safe; when they are safe, they are happy.
  • Green: Green is a natural color commonly associated with grass, trees, and other vegetation. Thoughts of nature can help a person feel calmer and more relaxed.
  • Blue: Blue light wavelengths are shorter, thus increasing one’s sense of alertness. Blue light therapy can be used to help a person feel more focused.

Color Therapy Techniques

Color therapy can be introduced via one’s sense of touch and sight. This is because natural light wavelengths directly influence these two senses within the brain.

Color therapy may be administered via:

  • Eyesight: This may be done by exposing a person to specific colors throughout the day, such as the paint colors in their home, the clothes they wear, or the color of light bulbs in their workplace.
  • Skin contact: Color therapy may be introduced as face masks, sleeping bags, or other products that utilize colored LED lights. These amplify the appropriate colors in treatment depending on the desired outcome.

6 Benefits of Color Therapy

Color therapy has many benefits, especially in treating symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other conditions. Furthermore, when we feel less anxious or sad, we may have more opportunities to improve other aspects of our lives.2

Here are six possible benefits of color therapy:

1. Stress Management

Stress management can be tough. We are constantly dealing with life struggles, which can ultimately negatively affect both our minds and bodies. Color therapy helps you decrease the impacts of this stress through mood-boosting properties. You can adopt color therapy practices as a stress management skill by simply changing the colors in your surroundings.

2. Decreased Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms

When addressing seasonal affective disorder (SAD), color therapists focus on using colors to elevate dopamine levels that may be depleted during the winter season. During this period, days are typically shorter and darker. By changing the colors surrounding a person, whether by wearing brighter colors or introducing colored lights, an individual can bring warmth and comfort back into their home despite the changing seasons.

3. Improved Sleep

Insomnia can greatly impact a person. Chromotherapy can help individuals identify certain colors that make them feel more relaxed at night, thus positively impacting their sleep patterns. For example, limiting blue light before bed is beneficial.

4. Energy Rejuvenation

Happy, bright colors can help a person feel more rejuvenated because these increase mental brain activity. Therefore, individuals are more energized and ready to go about their days. This can be helpful when dealing with the low-energy levels associated with depression.

5. Reduced Anger

Color therapy creates environments that elicit calm and happiness rather than aggression, helping to reduce anger. Try including pops of bright colors like yellow or orange in your home or daily attire.

6. Improved Relationships

Communication with others may not be the greatest when dealing with excessive stress or sadness. Because color therapy is believed to help replace such emotions with positive ones, a person may be more open to socialization. Therefore, they can further develop their current relationships or seek new ones.

Is Color Therapy a Good Fit for Me?

Color therapy may be beneficial if you have not responded well to other treatment modules. Considering a more holistic approach is never a bad idea, but consult with a clinician specializing in color therapy to determine if it’s a good fit for you. Everyone reacts differently to treatment, so you should not expect to experience the same results as another person.

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Find the Perfect Therapist for You

Therapy can be an effective approach to depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, trauma, and many other mental health and emotional challenges. Use the ChoosingTherapy.com Directory to find a licensed therapist near you. Many therapists accept insurance, offer in-person and online appointments, and have immediate availability.

Find a Therapist

How to Practice Color Therapy on Your Own

You can begin to incorporate elements of color therapy into your daily life in simple ways. Minimal changes to your environment or routine can substantially impact your overall well-being.3

Here are some ways to practice color therapy on your own:

Get Outdoors

Natural colors are serene and inviting. Furthermore, green hues have grounding attributes, allowing an increased connection with yourself and your environment. Additionally, natural blue light (not artificial) facilitates rejuvenation and calmness. Nature positively impacts mental health, so try setting time aside each day to get outdoors, even for only a few minutes.

Be Smart With Color Choices

Feeling sad? Feeling overwhelmed? Consider taking note of any colors that leave you feeling uncomfortable or stressed. Be smart with your color choices. Wear warmer colors that elevate your mood, or paint the walls of your home in similar hues. This can also help you be more productive!

Limit Artificial Blue Light

Artificial blue light decreases serotonin levels. By limiting exposure to blue light, you may notice a change in your overall mood. Try taking a break from looking at your laptop, phone, or TV. Or, you can change the color balance on your devices so displays are dimmer and warmer.

Change Intake Method for Color Therapy

If one method of color therapy isn’t working as well as you’d like, consider trying an alternative. Instead of wearing a specific color shirt, switch out the artwork in your home office. Or, change the lightbulb in your bedroom and opt for a warmer tone.

Tap Into Your Creative Side

Get those markers, crayons, pens, and colored pencils ready! Use color and art to express yourself, and notice the colors that bring you joy. Which colors make you feel overwhelmed or stressed? You can better understand how specific colors impact you by tapping into creativity.

Track Your Data

Keep track of your moods to understand how color therapy affects you. A simple way to do so is by journaling. Include the colors you noticed around you throughout the day and how they made you feel.

How to Find a Color Therapist

Finding the right therapist is an important first step when approaching treatment for any condition. Using an online therapist directory when searching for a professional can be helpful. Look for someone specializing in holistic approaches. Therapy can also offer a safe place for both family and loved ones to learn more about how they can support you throughout your treatment.

Final Thoughts

While color therapy techniques can help a person destress and unwind, they can also aid in treating more serious conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Color therapy has many benefits, and consciously incorporating colors into your daily choices can increase overall wellness.

Color Therapy Infographics

What is Color Therapy?   Benefits of Color Therapy   How to Practice Color Therapy on Your Own

Additional Resources

To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, ChoosingTherapy.com has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. ChoosingTherapy.com is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.

Online Therapy 

BetterHelp – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 30,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $65 per week and is FSA/HSA eligible by most providers. Take a free online assessment and get matched with the right therapist for you. Free Assessment

Therapy & Medication Using Your Insurance

Brightside Health – Together, medication and therapy can help you feel like yourself, faster. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. United Healthcare, Anthem, Cigna, and Aetna accepted. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment

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For Further Reading

  • What Kind of Therapy Do I Need?
  • Do I Need Therapy? 25 Signs & Benefits to Consider
  • Color Therapy App

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Online psychiatry, sometimes called telepsychiatry, platforms offer medication management by phone, video, or secure messaging for a variety of mental health conditions. In some cases, online psychiatry may be more affordable than seeing an in-person provider. Mental health treatment has expanded to include many online psychiatry and therapy services. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to find the one that is right for you.

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Sources Update History

ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Birren, & Lufkin, R. (2016). Color psychology and color therapy : a factual study of the influence of color on human life. Pickle Partners Publishing.

  • Azeemi, A., et al. (2019). The mechanistic basis of chromotherapy: Current knowledge and future perspectives. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 46, 217–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.08.025

  • Ifdil, I., et al. (2019). Chromotherapy: An alternative treatment for mathematics anxiety among elementary school students. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1175, 012183. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1175/1/012183

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We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

August 25, 2023
Author: No Change
Reviewer: No Change
Primary Changes: Edited for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources.
December 12, 2022
Author: Andrea Brognano, LMHC, LPC, NCC
Reviewer: Heidi Moawad, MD
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