Psychiatric nursing requires holistic, patient-centered approaches that address emotional, psychological, cognitive, and social dimensions of health. Expressive arts therapy, which integrates creative modalities such as art, music, dance, drama, and writing, is increasingly recognized as a valuable complement to conventional psychiatric treatment. This therapeutic approach enables patients to express complex emotions, process trauma, enhance self-awareness, and develop coping strategies that transcend verbal limitations. Nurses, as frontline mental health professionals, are uniquely positioned to incorporate expressive arts therapy into practice due to their close therapeutic relationships with patients and their emphasis on holistic care. This article explores the historical development, theoretical underpinnings, and clinical applications of expressive arts therapy in psychiatric nursing. It examines its role in enhancing emotional expression, facilitating communication, reducing stress, supporting trauma recovery, fostering empowerment, and improving patient adherence. Barriers such as lack of training, limited resources, institutional stigma, and cultural considerations are critically analyzed. Evidence-based strategies for integration, including professional training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and culturally sensitive practices, are discussed. Finally, the article emphasizes the need for systematic research, institutional support, and nurse-led initiatives to promote expressive arts therapy as a mainstream component of psychiatric care. By embracing creative approaches, psychiatric nurses can expand therapeutic opportunities, empower patients in recovery, and foster healing environments that acknowledge the full complexity of human experience.