Chromatherapy (Colour Therapy):

An Evidence‑Informed Overview

Chromatherapy, often referred to as colour therapy, explores how colour perception influences emotional regulation, arousal levels, attention and nervous system responses. While not positioned as a standalone clinical treatment, colour‑based interventions are widely recognised as supportive, sensory and psychologically meaningful tools within wellbeing, therapeutic and rehabilitative contexts.

Modern applications of colour therapy draw from:

• Environmental psychology
• Sensory processing research
• Trauma‑informed practice
• Mindfulness‑based interventions
• Creative and expressive therapies

Colour engages the brain rapidly and non‑verbally, making it particularly valuable for individuals who experience difficulty with verbal expression, emotional labelling or traditional talk‑based approaches.

How Colour Affects the Brain & Nervous System

Colour perception is processed through the visual cortex and linked to limbic (emotional) and autonomic nervous system responses.

Research in psychology and neuroscience suggests colour can influence:

• Arousal levels (e.g. calming vs stimulating responses)
• Mood states (e.g. safety, optimism, grounding)
• Attention and focus
• Stress and anxiety responses

While responses to colour are individual and culturally mediated, consistent patterns have been observed across populations.

Common Colour Associations (Evidence‑Informed)

• Blue & Green: Calm, safety, emotional regulation, reduced physiological arousal
• Yellow: Cognitive engagement, optimism, gentle stimulation
• Red: Energy, alertness (used sparingly in trauma‑aware contexts)
• Purple: Reflection, introspection, emotional depth
• Earth tones: Grounding, containment, stability

ColourRise intentionally incorporates balanced palettes that prioritise safety, autonomy and emotional neutrality rather than overstimulation.

Colouring‑In as a Therapeutic Modality

Adult colouring has been increasingly examined as a mindfulness‑adjacent, grounding and self‑regulatory activity.

It combines colour engagement with repetitive motor movement, visual focus and creative choice.

Evidence suggests colouring can:

• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Support emotional regulation
• Increase present‑moment awareness
• Improve concentration and task persistence
• Provide a non‑verbal outlet for emotional expression

Importantly, colouring does not require artistic skill, making it accessible, non‑threatening and inclusive across cognitive, cultural and literacy differences.

ColourRise: Applying Chromatherapy in Practice

ColourRise translates principles of colour therapy and mindfulness into a structured, trauma‑informed colouring program designed for use across clinical, community and institutional settings.

The program is positioned as an evidence‑informed adjunct, supporting - not replacing - existing therapeutic, clinical or care frameworks.

Core Design Principles

• Non‑verbal and low‑demand engagement
• Predictable structure (one page per week)
• Choice‑based colour application
• Gentle prompts for reflection (optional)
• Safe for trauma‑aware and neurodivergent use

Benefits for Participants

Participants may experience:

• Improved emotional regulation through rhythmic colouring and colour choice
• Reduced stress and anxiety via calming visual engagement
• Increased sense of agency through autonomous creative decisions
• Grounding and nervous system settling during or after sessions
• Routine and consistency, particularly valuable in institutional or high‑stress environments

ColourRise is suitable for individuals who:

• Struggle with verbal expression
• Experience anxiety, trauma or emotional dysregulation
• Are neurodivergent
• Are in aged care, correctional, veteran or disability settings

Benefits for Clinicians & Professionals

For clinicians, practitioners and facilitators, ColourRise offers:

• A low‑risk, non‑invasive adjunct to care plans
• A trauma‑safe engagement tool requiring minimal verbal processing
• A structured activity that supports regulation before or after therapy
• A way to observe mood, engagement and regulation non‑verbally
• Flexibility across individual, group and self‑directed contexts

ColourRise can complement:

• Psychology and counselling
• Occupational therapy
• Mental health support work
• Aged care lifestyle programs
• NDIS‑funded supports
• Correctional rehabilitation and wellbeing programs

Clinical & Ethical Positioning

ColourRise does not claim to diagnose, treat or cure mental health conditions.

It is framed as:

• Evidence‑informed
• Preventative and supportive
• Suitable as an adjunct to clinical or psychosocial care

Clinicians may reference the underlying evidence bases - mindfulness, grounding techniques, expressive therapies and sensory regulation - rather than asserting proprietary therapeutic outcomes.

Why ColourRise Works Across Diverse Settings

ColourRise is effective because it is:

• Simple, predictable, and scalable
• Adaptable across literacy and cognitive levels
• Culturally neutral and non‑verbal
• Easily integrated into existing programs
• Empowering rather than prescriptive

Colour becomes a bridge - supporting regulation, expression and presence - without requiring words.

Summary

Chromatherapy and colouring‑based practices offer a scientifically plausible, psychologically grounded way to support wellbeing. ColourRise brings these principles together in a practical, structured and ethically positioned program that supports participants and professionals alike.

It is calm, accessible and deeply human - meeting people where they are, one colour at a time.