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What Is Art Therapy
Art therapy is a human service profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to 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 practice is grounded in the knowledge of human development, psychological theories, and counseling techniques.
Art therapy is an effective treatment for persons experiencing developmental, medical, educational, and social or psychological impairment. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore the client’s functioning and his/her sense of personal well being.
Art therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and forensic settings with diverse client populations in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats.
A master’s degree is required for entry level practice in art therapy. Minimum educational and professional standards for the profession are established by the American Art Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA) a membership and advocacy organization.
As a credentialing body, the Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc. confers and administers professional credentials to art therapy practitioners. ATCB's mission is "to protect the public by promoting the competent and ethical practice of art therapy." Those who hold ATCB credentials are required to adhere to the ATCB Code of Professional Practice. These ethical standards for professional practice are established, regulated, and enforced by the ATCB.
One of the credentials offered by the ATCB is the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential. ATCB confers the ATR to applicants who provide appropriate documentation including the required education, practicum hours, postgraduate experience hours, and supervision. ATCB also offers board certification to art therapists(ATR-BC). In order to become an ATR-BC, applicants must first successfully complete the ATR application process. Upon receipt of the ATR, applicants are eligible to apply for the ATR-BC. Successfully completion of the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCBE) is required for the ATR-BC. The ATR-BC credential requires maintenance through proof of continuing education. In 2008, ATCB began offering the Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS) to applicants who demonstrate competence in this specialty area of art therapy practice.