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About Art Therapy
❋ What is an art therapist and how does that differ from a regular therapist?
Art Therapists, in the way we use this term, are master-level trained mental health providers who have studied psychology, counseling, and/or family therapy. They are versed in art-making and different materials. They are trained to conduct assessments, and can diagnose their clients. They work in a variety of different settings and all have unique styles of working with people.
Art therapists are typically also trained and licensed mental health/professional counselors or marriage & family therapists (MFTs). So, yes, we also do “regular therapy”. Depending on your art therapist, you may be invited to make art right away, or not. This should be collaborative. If you want to make art, that’s ok. If you don’t, that’s also ok.
❋ What’s a typical art therapy session like?
This would depend on your art therapist, the setting, what you’re being treated for, and what you like/want to do. Sorry! That’s an annoying answer. If you wonder if you always make art? No.
Typically, there’s some talking; then, we decide what to work on. Then, we make art (either together, (we could work on the same artwork at the same time or work on separate pieces) or just the client makes. Then, you talk about it (or don’t!). Sometimes other interventions are also part of the session, including somatic work or breathing exercises or mindfulness meditation.
No. Art Therapists have master’s degrees in art therapy or graduate level art therapy training. They have also been/are currently being supervised by a registered and credentialed art therapist. And they have served an internship or practicum in art therapy spanning many hours and months of working with internship clients prior to being able to do art therapy with the public.
❋ Isn’t art therapy just for Autistic kids?
Art therapy for all! Art therapists treat people of all ages, from infants to older adults! Art therapy is a model backed by neuroscience, so we cater the work to the needs of the individual depending on the issue they’re being treated for, where they are in their lifespan, and their abilities & disabilities. While art therapy can certainly help those whose verbal communication is atypical or those who are neurodivergent, such as folks with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD), it can also help people who are allistic (not Autistic) and/or neurotypical!
❋ I saw an art therapy certificate you can get online. Are those credible?
Either look for letters after someone’s name or at their education.
If they are credentialed, they will have these letters: ATR-P, ATR, ATR-BC, REAT, and/or LCAT.
If you’d like to see if someone’s credentialed, you can check the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) website here.
If they don’t have these letters, look at their education. Their graduate degree must include “Art Therapy” of “Creative Arts Therapies” or “Expressive Arts Therapies”.
If you’d like to check to see if the program listed is an accredited institution in Art Therapy, see the list here.