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Art Therapy is a mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through a transdisciplinary synthesis of active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship. Art Therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports mental health treatment goals and intra- and interpersonal needs, as well as community concerns. Art Therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem, and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.

Art therapists are master-level clinicians who work with diverse populations in a variety of settings. Clinical training in working with individuals, families, groups, and communities prepares art therapists to make parallel assessments of clients’ general psychological disposition. Art therapists observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes and design art therapy sessions or programs to meet the client's goals or objectives. Art therapy sessions provide guided self-expression experiences using a variety of artistic processes and art materials to help clients recover from, or cope with, cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments. In addition, art therapists confer with other professionals on the client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.

Art therapists serve diverse communities in different settings—from medical institutions like hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and psychiatric facilities, to wellness centers and schools. Many art therapists have independent practices. They also help support individuals and communities after a crisis or traumatic event. The projected growth of professional opportunities is expected to continue. Following completion of a master’s degree and additional supervised work experience, art therapists are eligible to seek to obtain credentials for board certification and state licensure as a mental health provider.

Length. Programs are generally 2.5 (full-time) to 4 years (part-time) in length, depending on the program design, objectives, prerequisites, student qualifications, and the preferred timeline for degree completion. A master’s degree is required for entry-level practice in art therapy. Prerequisites. Programs require foundational knowledge in studio art and psychology courses. Studio Art content areas include drawing, painting, and 3-D work in clay and/or sculpture, along with additional areas of art media skill. Psychology areas generally include introductory psychology, developmental psychology, and abnormal psychology. These areas are required as college-level, or equivalency, prerequisites. Curriculum. Curricula of accredited programs include courses covering, but not limited to, theories of art therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy; ethics and standards of practice; assessment and evaluation; individual, group, and family art therapy techniques; human and creative development; multicultural issues; research methods; and internship experiences in clinical, community, and/or other settings.

Before embarking on your allied health journey, delve into the essential requirements of your desired profession. Understanding the certification, registration, or licensure process will help you select the right education program and confidently pursue your career goals. The following organization(s) can assist you in becoming an allied health professional: American Art Therapy Association, 888-290-0878, email info@arttherapy.org, www.artherapy.org