What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a master’s level mental health profession in which art therapists facilitate the client’s, use of 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. The goal art therapy is to improve or restore function and a sense of personal wellbeing. Art Therapy practice requires knowledge of visual arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.) and the creative process, as well as human development, psychological theory, ethics, counseling theories and techniques.
Where do Art Therapists work?
Art Therapy is widely practiced in a 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. Art therapists work with diverse client populations in individual, couples, family and group therapy formats. During these sessions, art therapists elicit their clients' inherent capacity for art making to enhance their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Research supports this specific professional relationship for the above stated therapeutic benefits gained through artistic self-expression and reflection.
Art Therapy Credentialing
Art Therapy is a unique profession with educational and clinical practice requirements that equal or exceed those of other mental health care professionals that are currently licensed by the state of Iowa. National requirements for professional entry into the practice of Art Therapy include, at a minimum: a Master's degree from institutions of higher education recognized by regional accreditation bodies approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education, adherence to the rigorous educational standards established by the American Art Therapy Association, which are independently reviewed by the Education Program Approval Board and the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE), and extensive post-graduate clinical experience, supervised by a credentialed art therapist. The Art Therapy Credentials Board also regulates the continuing education and experience of Master’s level art therapists by requiring an extensive exam and continuing education credits. ATR-BC identifies that an art therapist is nationally Registered and Board Certified.
Art Therapy is a master’s level mental health profession in which art therapists facilitate the client’s, use of 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. The goal art therapy is to improve or restore function and a sense of personal wellbeing. Art Therapy practice requires knowledge of visual arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.) and the creative process, as well as human development, psychological theory, ethics, counseling theories and techniques.
Where do Art Therapists work?
Art Therapy is widely practiced in a 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. Art therapists work with diverse client populations in individual, couples, family and group therapy formats. During these sessions, art therapists elicit their clients' inherent capacity for art making to enhance their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Research supports this specific professional relationship for the above stated therapeutic benefits gained through artistic self-expression and reflection.
Art Therapy Credentialing
Art Therapy is a unique profession with educational and clinical practice requirements that equal or exceed those of other mental health care professionals that are currently licensed by the state of Iowa. National requirements for professional entry into the practice of Art Therapy include, at a minimum: a Master's degree from institutions of higher education recognized by regional accreditation bodies approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education, adherence to the rigorous educational standards established by the American Art Therapy Association, which are independently reviewed by the Education Program Approval Board and the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE), and extensive post-graduate clinical experience, supervised by a credentialed art therapist. The Art Therapy Credentials Board also regulates the continuing education and experience of Master’s level art therapists by requiring an extensive exam and continuing education credits. ATR-BC identifies that an art therapist is nationally Registered and Board Certified.
