Research on the Art Therapy Mechanism of Urban Public Spaces

This study focuses on the integrated development of art therapy and public space design, providing support for alleviating the psychological pressure of urban residents and improving the quality of public spaces. Based on authoritative data such as the Report on the Development of National Mental Health in China (2023-2024), it sorts out the concept, theoretical basis of art therapy as well as the current situation and dilemmas of the integration of art therapy and public space design, reveals the importance and advantages of such integration, and puts forward strategies for integrated development. The study finds that the integration of the two is confronted with dilemmas including cognitive biases and homogenization. It is therefore necessary to advance the integration from five dimensions—concept, design, operation, professionalism and technology—and construct a new public space model featuring "healing priority, art empowerment".