Art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns. Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.
– American Art Therapy Association
Art therapy uses art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork as a therapeutic and healing process. Clients can explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.
Art therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and forensic settings, as well as in private practice, workshops, and small-group settings. Clients come from all walks of life and face many challenges. Various art therapy formats can benefit individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Art therapy is an effective treatment for persons experiencing developmental, medical, educational, social, or psychological impairment. A key goal in art therapy is to improve or restore the client’s functioning and sense of personal well-being.
Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy. The process isn’t an art lesson—it is grounded in knowledge of human development, psychological theories, and counseling techniques.
Art therapy is a profession that requires a high level of education and training. A master’s degree is the minimum requirement for entry-level practice. The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA), a respected membership and advocacy organization in the field, sets and maintains these educational and professional standards.
Art therapy is a dynamic field that is constantly evolving and expanding. Its professional, academic, and research foundation is growing, ensuring it remains relevant and effective. The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) is a key player in this growth, investing in art therapy’s professional standards and ethics. It is also the only nationally recognized credentialing organization for art therapists in the United States, further highlighting the field’s credibility and rigor.
– Revised from Art Therapy Credentials Board
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