What is Art Therapy and Why is it Important?
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a mental health profession in which a professional art therapist utilizes art materials and processes to facilitate healing. Art therapy interventions can be facilitated with individuals, groups, couples, and families. People of all ages can benefit from art therapy in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and treatment centers. A masters degree in art therapy is required for clinicians to practice art therapy. This education includes learning how to utilize art supplies and processes for a variety of goals in therapy. Students complete at least 48 graduate semester credits of education and 600 hours of supervised internship (AATA Educational Standards). Learn more about becoming an art therapist.
“Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy. The process isn’t an art lesson – it is grounded in the knowledge of human development, psychological theories, and counseling techniques.” (Art Therapy Credentialing Board)
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and the Art Therapy Credentialing Board (ATCB) are the major organizations regulating the profession in the United States. Art therapist national credentials include Registered Art Therapist - Provisional (ATR-P), Registered Art Therapist (ATR), and Registered Art Therapist - Board Certified (ATR-BC). “Art therapy is now a regulated mental health profession in 15 states and the District of Columbia (AATA),” meaning that art therapists in those identified states can apply for state licensure in addition to the national registration. Typically, licensure increases accessibility because art therapists can bill insurance for art therapy services. Many art therapists work with AATA to advocate for licensure in their state. The advocacy for licensure is a priority for many art therapists “to ensure professional sustainability for generations to come (AATA).”
Common goal areas addressed in art therapy:
improving self-worth
increasing self-esteem
decreasing depression or anxiety symptoms
improving healthy coping skills
improving stress management
navigating substance use
setting and maintaining healthy boundaries
processing grief and loss
processing trauma
Common client concerns addressed in art therapy:
depression
anxiety
trauma
emotional regulation
high sensitivity
difficult family dynamics
eating disorders
substance use disorders
identity exploration
Materials that may be used in art therapy:
pens and pencils
crayons, markers, and colored pencils
oil pastels
chalk pastels
paint
photography
clay
found objects
collage
many more
So, why is art therapy important?
Art therapy can provide a way for people to confront their concerns in a less intimidating way than talk therapy. Clients can engage with the problem through art making rather than having to find words to explain their experience to the therapist. The art making process gives the client an opportunity for increased insight and self-awareness.
What about telehealth? Can I do art therapy online?
Absolutely. Each art therapist may approach online art therapy slightly differently. I facilitate online group art therapy and approach it as explained in my FAQs page:
“Virtual art therapy is a little different than it may be in person, but it has a lot of the same benefits!
Logistically, each participant will have their own art supplies and sketchbook (I will, too). Each session will have space for art making, during which each participant and myself will make art based on a prompt. Certain materials may be encouraged depending on the prompt.
Then, we’ll have time to verbally process and share our art together (hold it up so we can see on the screen). If sharing your art with others scares you, you are not alone. We’ll process that together, too.”
Art therapy might be for you if…
you’ve tried talk therapy and have found it difficult to describe your experience in words
you’re interested in creative practices
you want a new way of expressing yourself
you have a hard time connecting with your emotions
you tend to intellectualize as a defense mechanism
