"Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being.Art therapy practice requires knowledge of visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms)and the creative process, as well as of human development, psychological, and counseling theories and techniques.
Today art therapy is widely practiced in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, wellness centers, forensic institutions, schools, crisis centers, senior communities, private practice, and other clinical and community settings. During individual and/or group sessions art therapists elicit their clients’ inherent capacity for art making to enhance their physical, mental,and emotional well-being. Research supports the use of art therapy within a professional relationship for the therapeutic benefits gained through artistic self-expression and reflection for individuals who experience illness, trauma, and mental health problems and those seeking personal growth."
-American Art Therapy Association
Today art therapy is widely practiced in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, wellness centers, forensic institutions, schools, crisis centers, senior communities, private practice, and other clinical and community settings. During individual and/or group sessions art therapists elicit their clients’ inherent capacity for art making to enhance their physical, mental,and emotional well-being. Research supports the use of art therapy within a professional relationship for the therapeutic benefits gained through artistic self-expression and reflection for individuals who experience illness, trauma, and mental health problems and those seeking personal growth."
-American Art Therapy Association
Where is art therapy practiced?
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Art therapists work with individuals, couples, families, and groups in diverse settings. Some examples include: ∙ Hospitals and clinics, both medical and psychiatric ∙ Out-patient mental health agencies and day treatment facilities ∙ Residential treatment centers ∙ Correctional facilities ∙ Domestic violence and homeless shelters ∙ In-Home treatment ∙ Community agencies and non-profit settings |
∙ Community agencies and non-profit settings ∙ Schools, colleges, and universities ∙ Elder care facilities ∙ Hospice ∙ Art studios ∙ Veterans Services ∙ Drug/Alcohol Treatment Services ∙ Victims Services ∙ Private practice |
What qualifies someone as an Art Therapist?
Education requirements
The educational requirements in the proposed PA legislation are also consistent with national requirements for professional entry into the practice of Art Therapy that includes, at minimum, a master’s degree wherein students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of graduate-level coursework in Art Therapy, as well as 700 hours of supervised practicum and Art Therapy internship.
The educational requirements in the proposed PA legislation are also consistent with national requirements for professional entry into the practice of Art Therapy that includes, at minimum, a master’s degree wherein students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of graduate-level coursework in Art Therapy, as well as 700 hours of supervised practicum and Art Therapy internship.
Internship and Supervision
Art Therapists are required to engage in ongoing clinical supervision, along with training in offering supervision. A supervised 700-hour graduate-level internship is required, with additional 1,000 post-graduate hours of client care, under supervision, in order to apply for, and acquire, Art Therapy credentials. Documented supervision hours must include both group and individual clinical supervision. To then maintain board certification, credentialed Art Therapists must participate in 6 hours of training in offering supervision in order to ensure quality oversight of future professionals.
The proposed legislation (HB 786) would require 3,000 postgraduate client care hours, with supervision, to be achieved for licensure, in alignment with current requirements of the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Professional Counselors.
Art Therapists are required to engage in ongoing clinical supervision, along with training in offering supervision. A supervised 700-hour graduate-level internship is required, with additional 1,000 post-graduate hours of client care, under supervision, in order to apply for, and acquire, Art Therapy credentials. Documented supervision hours must include both group and individual clinical supervision. To then maintain board certification, credentialed Art Therapists must participate in 6 hours of training in offering supervision in order to ensure quality oversight of future professionals.
The proposed legislation (HB 786) would require 3,000 postgraduate client care hours, with supervision, to be achieved for licensure, in alignment with current requirements of the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Professional Counselors.
Credentialed Art Therapists adhere to the Art Therapy Credential Board's established Code of Ethics and continuing education requirements.