A Brief Introduction to Art Therapy

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy offered by a trained art therapist that utilizes art-focused interventions to treat mental health. Clinicians who practice the creative arts therapies can come in many forms. There are dance movement therapists (DMT), drama therapists (RDT), and music therapists as well as art therapists (LCATS in NY state).

Art therapists pursue a masters in art therapy, earn internship and clinically supervised hours, and hours toward licensure after graduation. Upon completion of their post graduate degree and internship, they will sit for an exam in order to procure limited permit licensure as well as secure approved supervised art therapy hours. Like many other counseling degrees, art therapists are responsible for maintaining their licensure through upholding ethical standards for art therapists*. They are also obligated to complete continuing education credits, renew individual licensure, and fulfill any other state-specific requirements.

In addition to this, art therapists who wish to practice in states that do not have a specific licensure or to have an additional credential can pursue the ATR-BC (art therapy board credential).

*See https://arttherapy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Ethical-Principles-for-Art-Therapists.pdf

What’s in a session?

  • Also known as a “non-directive” approach, the open studio model allows for the client to explore what materials they are interested and why. With guidance, the client might discover what art materials feel best for their particular therapy needs. This is in addition to their treatment plan goals and any other relevant talk therapy interventions.

  • While I utilize a mindfulness-based approach more generally in my practice, some clients might need special focus in this area. Clients who are seeking support with anxiety find mindfulness particularly helpful. Sessions usually open and close with a grounding exercise that might include more process-based, exploratory, and grounding art-making. This is usually a more hands-on, gently structured, and feelings- guided intervention.

  • All of my work is trauma-informed, however, for the client specifically seeking therapy for trauma, art therapy can help by offering additional non-verbal processing opportunities for difficult to express emotions.

    In practice, trauma-informed therapy might feel like: frequent gentle check-ins, slowing down in moments of activation, and structured, predictable planning around the processing of more difficult topics.

Art therapy sessions can have a range of structures. Below are some common interventions I utilize in my practice and why.