In a clinical study led under the direction of Dr. Gabriel Acevedo, a Yale trained Sociologist and research methodologies, we worked with groups of people and gave them The Abstract Tray to color our abstract designs. Our objective was to see how they felt during and after coloring our abstract designs to improve their psychological outcome/mental well-being. 

A controlled study shows that coloring Abstract Tray designs produces immediate relaxation and stress reduction. Participants reported being more grounded, emotionally regulated, and able to access thoughts that were otherwise difficult to articulate. The abstract nature of the art helps bypass the critical, judgmental part of the mind — making it easier to explore inner feelings without fear.

If you’re a mental health professional, educator, or caregiver, The Abstract Tray offers a unique, evidence-informed tool to integrate into your practice:

  • Use in therapy sessions to help clients articulate emotions nonverbally.
  • Integrate into schools for stress-reduction activities.
  • Provide in long-term care or dementia settings as a meaningful and calming activity.
  • Offer as a gift or resource for families dealing with grief, trauma, or chronic stress.

Benefits for Clinicians:

  • Easy to implement — no art skills needed
  • Safe and judgment-free — coloring is inherently neutral
  • Affordable and scalable — coloring pages and kits available
  • Supports therapeutic goals — emotional regulation, self-awareness, mindfulness

Emotional & Psychological Improvements

After a guided art session with The Abstract Tray, participants experienced measurable reductions in:

  • Tension
  • Depression
  • Anxiety


Every psychological measure showed improvement with statistical significance, confirming the product’s therapeutic effect.


An impressive NPS score of 40 places The Abstract Tray ahead of many top U.S. sectors in customer satisfaction. This means users aren’t just satisfied, they’re highly willing to recommend the experience to others.

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