What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art.
Art therapists are professionals trained in both art and therapy. They are knowledgeable about human development, psychological theories, clinical practice, spiritual, multicultural and artistic traditions, and the healing potential of art. They use art in treatment, assessment and research, and provide consultations to allied professionals. Art therapists work with people of all ages: individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities. They provide services, individually and as part of clinical teams, in settings that include mental health, rehabilitation, medical and forensic institutions; community outreach programs; wellness centers; schools; nursing homes; corporate structures; open studios and independent practices.
Where Do Art Therapists Work?
Art Therapists work in a variety of settings as primary or adjunct therapists. Locations can be hospitals, private practice, mental health agencies, school systems, and community art studios.
What Media Do Art Therapists Use?
Art Therapists use a wide variety of media like clay, sculpture materials, craft supplies, paint, chalk, pencils. They are trained to also help teach people how to use media as a part of the process and know how to use certain media as a way to enhance the therapeutic process or an individuals needs. The final product is always viewed in non-judgmental ways and clients have visual progress of therapy in their artwork.
Art Therapy Research and Use
There continues to be research showing how creative process and making art is inherently therapeutic. It helps with cognition, it aids in the release and insight to emotions, and it is somatic, using the body to create.
Art therapy is a discipline intentionally using creative process with a variety of materials as a way to gain insight, integrate memory and the mind-body connection, learn new ways of being, and heal. It is most often used with psychotherapy and together help treat a variety of mental health issues from trauma, anxiety, depression to issues with relationship and life transitions.
Art therapy can be used with young children, adolescents, adults, those with disabilities, and the elderly. A person does not need to have any artistic skill to engage in this kind of therapy as it is not about what the art product looks like, it is focused more on the process, meaning and feeling of the art making. The creative process can provide individuals with an alternative way to communicate feelings that may be too difficult to put into words or that words alone cannot describe.
What Are the Professional Standards in Art Therapy?
The professional standards for training involve Master’s Degree level work in art therapy or another related field with 24 semester hours of additional art therapy training.
Master’s level art therapy training usually lasts two to three years and includes most of the curriculum a counseling psychology program would cover, as well as a curriculum concerning the utilization of art materials in the therapeutic process. Students typically fulfill one or two practicum internships and have supervision with an art therapist, as well as with other supervisors I social services, educational, and mental health settings. Ethically art therapists go by the same standards, which any counseling professional would adhere to.
If you are interested in becoming an art therapist visit our resources page.