Please visit the American Art Therapy Association website at www.arttherapy.org for more information about educational requirements and art therapy training programs.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a human service profession which utilizes art media, images, the creative process and partient/client responses to the created art productions as reflections of an individual's development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns and conflicts. Art therapy practice is based on knowledge of human developmental and psychological theories which are implemented in the full spectrum of models of assessment and treatment, including educational, psychodynamic, cognitive, transpersonal and other therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self-awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems, reducing anxiety, aiding reality orientation and increasing self-esteem.

Art therapy is an effective treatment for individuals with developmental, medical, educational, social or psychological impairments; and is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational and forensic institutions. Populations of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds are served by art therapists in individual, couples, family and group therapy formats.

Educational, professional and ethical standards for art therapists are regulated by the American Art Therapy Assocation AATA). The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB), an independent organization, grants postgraduate registration (ATR) after reviewing documentation of completion of graduate education and postgraduate supervised experience. The Registered Art Therapist who successfully completes the written examination administered by the ATCB is qualified as Board Certified (ATR-BC), a credential requiring maintenance through continuing education credits.

How did Art Therapy Begin?

Although visual expressions have been basic to humanity throughout history, art therapy did not emerge as a distinct profession until the 1930's. At the beginning of the 20th Century, psychiatrists became interested in the artwork done by patients, and studied it to see if there was a link between the art and the illness of their patients. At this same time, art educators were discovering that the free and sponstaneous art expression of children represented both emotional and symbolic communications. Since then, the profession of art therapy has grown into an effective and important method of communication, assessment and treatment with many populations. (exerpts from Art Therapy: The Profession, a publication of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) 1999).