What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a human service profession that offers a variety of specialized services for individuals, women, men, adolescents and children to explore creative resources for the attainment of self-directed goals, increased well-being and improved quality of life.
What credentials do art therapists need?
Art therapy training involves completing a master’s level program and extensive post graduate supervised work with a variety of clients. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) grants the title of ATR to all professional art therapists. AATA has a certification process where certified art therapists are given the initials ATR-BC. The initials ATR indicate that the person is a registered art therapist and the initials BC indicate that the person is board certified. AATA encourages all local professionals to affiliate with their local state chapters.
When an individual has these credentials, this means this individual has met all the requirements to apply for registration with the American Art Therapy Association and has been approved to use this title which means the person is Registered as an Art Therapist with the national association. The initials BC mean the individual has met the requirements to sit to take the exam for board certification and has successfully passed the test. This credential is the highest certification offered nationally for art therapists.
What does an art therapist do?
Art therapist work to help people using creative art resources. They provide screenings, assessments, recovery planning, goal setting and work to help create change in people who want to change their living situation. Art therapist are professionals who work closely with individuals and their family members. Art therapists tap into motivational patterns to inspire, create, and support change. Art therapist are trained in a variety of settings and have cross training in psychology, art, and counseling methods and techniques. Art therapists use formal assessments to uncover individual strengths and build on these skills . Art therapists support and affirm the development of personal goals and objectives. Art therapists meet these goals and objectives using art supplies, skills and a range of art interventions.
Where do art therapists work?
Art therapists work in a variety of settings. This includes but is not limited to medical centers, psychiatric hospitals, inpatient and outpatient clinics, school systems, drug and alcohol rehabilitation service providers, private practice, prisons, drug courts, wilderness programs, community evaluation centers, private clinics, day schools, geriatric nursing homes, homeless shelters, veteran care centers, adoption centers, foster care placement settings, sexual abuse and trauma recovery centers. Any where people are in need of help, an art therapist is likely to pop up.
For more information
- For Information about Art Therapy in Louisiana contact the Louisiana Art Therapy Association.
- For information about Art Therapy in the United States contact the American Art Therapy Association
What is the next step?
Contact Us or call 225-505-3124
If you are ready to make changes in your life, request an appointment now.
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Art Therapy for Women
Initial Session
Art Therapy for Men
Initial Session
Art Therapy for Teens
Initial Session
Art Therapy for Children
Initial Session
Would you like to be a art therapy volunteer?
There are many people who are interested in having a hands on experience working with an art therapist. To volunteer you don’t have to have any art or past volunteer experience. All you need is an open mind and willingness to follow directions. If you are one of those people interested in getting some hands on experience working with an art therapist, then Contact Us.
Volunteering Opportunities
If you are in need of an art therapy volunteer, then Contact Us. If you have an opportunity for an art therapy volunteer to work with you or your organization, Contact Us.