Art Therapy

"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." (American Art Therapy Association)

Art therapist training...
Professional art therapists in the United States complete a masters degree in art therapy:

• hosted by a college or university recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

• accredited by Commission on Accreditaion of Allied Health Education Programs - Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education or approved by the American Art Therapy Association Education Program Approval Board (prior to 2018)

Masters program combine academic coursework and supervised practicum in psychological theories and practices with specific training in offering art materials, faciiltating art making, and guiding artwork interpretation to advance client treatment objectives and goals. The training is parallel to all other masters level mental health professions.

Art therapist qualifications, credentials, and licenses...
National art therapy credentials are regulated by the Art Therapy Credentials Board

• ATR-P: Provisional Registered Art Therapist - indicates the completion of master’s level education

• ATR: Registered Art Therapist - indicates the completion of master’s level education and post-education supervised clinical experience

• ATR-BC: Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist - indicates succesfully passing the Art Therapy Credentials Exam and maintaining competence through ongoing contuning education

State credentials are regulated by government licensure boards. Visit our Licensure pages to find resources specific to DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Art therapists in action...
In the following videos, art therapists describe their work as a unique mental health professionin their testimonials at the Council of the District of Columbia Committee of the Whole and Committee on Health Public Hearing on art therapy licensure legislation (2019, December).