What is an Art Therapist?

Art Therapy as a practice has been around for a little while, but continues to be something the general public is not always aware of. As an Art Therapist, I feel compelled to explain what I do and why I do it, since I’m asked on a regular basis. So, let’s dive into Art Therapy as a practice and profession, and how it’s used by Art Therapists!

What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy, as defined by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), is “ a mental health profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.” Art Therapy involves using art as an additional, transformative component of the therapeutic process. It can be utilized in a variety of settings, so you may hear of it being used in different contexts with different needs. This might include inpatient hospitals, rehabilitation, psychiatric facilities, schools, community mental health centers, private practices, and more.

To participate in Art Therapy, a client does not need to be a skilled artist in any regard, just someone who is open-minded to giving it a try and picking up a pencil. Art Therapy is not art class, and we’re not striving for perfection here. Therapy should be a safe, non-judgmental space to create, explore, and play with art materials without any pressure to perform.

Who are Art Therapists and what do they do?

Art Therapists are trained and credentialed/licensed mental health professionals. They go through training in mental health and psychological theories, in addition to learning to utilize Art Therapy techniques and approaches. They have awareness and experience using a variety of art materials and media and working in different settings with different clinical needs. Art Therapists hold a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy from an accredited graduate program. Registered Art Therapists also hold a credential from the Art Therapy Credentials Board, typically the ATR or ATR-BC, and some may hold additional licensure in mental health counseling or Art Therapy depending on the state in which they live and work.

In their work, Art Therapists use their knowledge and experience with art media to support clients in their healing journey. In a private practice or mental health setting, an Art Therapist will likely choose to incorporate art as part of their support for clients, dependent on the client’s goals, diagnosis, age, development, identities, etc. Typically, this means the client will create artwork during a therapy session based on topics of discussion.

What does Art Therapy with you look like?

In my practice, I utilize art therapy with many clients based on my own clinical orientation and theoretical practices. In short, it really just depends on the individual! Some folks benefit from and enjoy using art as a supportive tool in therapy, which means we might create art while talking, but it won’t necessarily be the primary focus of the session. Others might like a more structured approach, and in these situations I would give specific prompts or directives, allowing the client to create something that directly progresses our therapeutic work towards the goals they are working on. Sometimes, I use art as a way of gently challenging clients to get outside their comfort zone and work through perfectionism or causes of anxiety. Additionally, I might encourage a client who already has their own art practice to create artwork outside of session, and may use our session time to discuss and process what they’ve created.

For all of my clients who use Art Therapy, there is always an element of emotional processing happening as we create art. Whether that processing is being said out loud or not, it’s often happening internally. Art is one of the best ways to creatively express our thoughts and feelings, especially those that might be hard to speak about or put into words. Using artwork in our sessions can also be really helpful for processing larger ideas and experiences related to identity, understanding of self and parts of self, and greater purpose in life.

How does being an Art Therapist affect your work and life?

In order to fully answer the question about what an Art Therapist is, I want to also address how this is part of me, even when I’m not doing Art Therapy in sessions. Within the therapy space, I am always using my lens as an Art Therapist, even if my client is not making art directly. I see things visually, almost constantly, and that shows up often in sessions. I use a lot of metaphors and language that one might use to describe an image or piece of artwork, and encourage clients to process this way. I also think creatively and outside the box. Art Therapy, in my opinion, is very much not rigid, and I strive to approach therapy sessions in this way.

Outside of being a therapist, I’m also an artist. I have always loved art and the ways it allows me to express myself and process experiences. It would be hypocritical of me to encourage clients to create art while not doing so myself, so this is another important component of my own art process. I am by no means a highly skilled technical artist, and I try to give myself the same encouragement as I give clients.

How can I know if Art Therapy is right for me?

First, I’d recommend talking with an Art Therapist near you. They’ll be able to discuss with you what you’re looking for in therapy and help evaluate whether it would be a good fit for you.

If you’re located anywhere in Maryland, Colorado, or South Carolina and looking for an Art Therapist, feel free to get in touch! I specialize in working with perfectionists, people pleasers, chronic illness warriors, and empaths. And if I’m not the right fit right now, contact me here and I will be happy to help you find the right person.

Source:

https://arttherapy.org/what-is-art-therapy/

Elizabeth Allen, LCPAT, LPC, LGPC, ATR-BC

Creative Pathways Counseling