What Does an Art Therapist Do?
Introduction to Art Therapy
An art therapist is a trained mental health professional who uses art-making as a primary mode of communication and therapeutic intervention to help clients explore emotions, improve self-esteem, manage behavior, cope with stress, and develop interpersonal skills. Art therapists are licensed professionals who typically hold a master’s degree in art therapy and are licensed or registered to practice as an art therapist. They are often trained in both art therapy and counseling and possess knowledge in art therapy theories, different art materials and processes, psychological theories, and counseling techniques. This allows art therapists to help guide clients through the creative process, enabling them to express their thoughts and feelings through artwork. Together, the client and therapist will process and reflect on the art making, but it should never be the therapist’s job to interpret the artwork for the client.
What Does an Art Therapist Do?
Art therapists play a crucial role in helping clients explore their emotions, improve self-awareness, and achieve therapeutic goals through the creative process of making art. Their work contributes to the field of mental health by offering a unique and effective approach to healing and personal growth. They have several roles and responsibilities including providing art based interventions and holding a creative and open space for artistic exploration. They also conduct art based assessments, create treatment plans, build therapeutic rapport, maintain records of client progress. In addition, art therapists consult with other providers, advocate and educate clients and other therapists about the benefits of art therapy, and adhere to ethical guidelines set by the American Art Therapy Association.
Types of Art Therapists
All art therapists bring creative methods into the therapeutic space in some way. As an art therapist, I like to work from a relational standpoint and ask the client what they feel like they need from the art. This way the client has the ability to feel empowered and use the art for anything. After and during the creation, the client and therapist can use the time to reflect on the artwork and make meaning from it. Art therapists also have the ability to provide directive based interventions which addresses specific concerns. Directives come with specific steps and sometimes offer reflection questions for the art therapist and client to talk through together when the art is complete. Art therapists also think about material and how different material can evoke different responses and address different needs.
Work Settings and Environments
Art therapists work in a variety of settings, both clinical and non-clinical, where they provide therapeutic services using art as a primary tool for intervention. Art therapists have the ability to work in hospitals and medical centers working with patients undergoing psychiatric treatment or patients dealing with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or undergoing medical procedures.
Art therapists work in:
Community mental health centers where they can provide individual and group therapy to clients dealing with various mental health concerns;
Outpatient clinics where they offer ongoing therapy sessions to individuals who do not require inpatient care but still benefit from therapeutic support;
Public and private schools where they work with students of all ages, addressing emotional and behavioral issues, enhancing social skills, and supporting academic achievement;
Special education programs where they assist students with disabilities or learning challenges to improve communication, sensory processing, and emotional regulation;
Rehabilitation centers where they collaborate with physical therapists to support patients recovering from injuries or surgeries, using art to aid in pain management, emotional adjustment, and rehabilitation;
Geriatric care where they work with elderly residents to enhance quality of life and stimulate cognitive functions;
Community arts programs where they collaborate with arts organizations to provide therapeutic workshops, art classes, and community projects;
Crisis centers where they can offer trauma-informed care to individuals experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or other crises, promoting healing and resilience;
And lastly private practice where they can provide individual or group therapy in an office or studio based setting.
Overall, art therapists have the strengths and flexibility to work in many different settings and are able to tailor their approaches and accommodate the needs of many different populations.
Education
Ethically, art therapy cannot be performed by any therapist. Art therapists go through specific training to learn about the process, how to deliver art interventions, and learn about the ethical considerations in the field, including those specific to art therapy for teens. Most master’s programs for art therapy have specific psychology and art pre-requisite classes that need to be completed before applying to the program. To become an art therapist, you need to pursue a master’s in art therapy and make sure this program is accredited by the American Art Therapy Association. Once you are in the program, you will take classes that include training in the creative process, psychological development, group therapy, psycho-diagnostics, research methods, multicultural diversity competence, and more. As a student you will engage in art making alongside learning about important counseling theories and techniques so that you can practice both art therapy and counseling. During the graduate program, you are also required to participate in a supervised clinical internship where you will provide art therapy services in a clinical setting and you must obtain a certain amount of clinical hours which varies by state. After you graduate (depending on the program), you are most likely eligible for your LPC (licensed professional counselor) and ATR-P (art therapy provisional license). You can eventually qualify for your ATR and ATR-BC after your work and are supervised a certain amount of hours after graduation.
Art Therapy is Empowering
Overall, art therapy stands as a powerful intersection of creativity and healing within the field of mental health. By using art and creativity, art therapists facilitate journeys of self-discovery, emotional expression, and personal growth for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Through a blend of clinical knowledge, artistic proficiency, and compassion, art therapy not only supports clients in navigating challenges but also empowers them to cultivate resilience, gain insight, and reclaim agency in their lives.
