Art Therapist

Art therapists use art, as well as traditional means of therapy, to lessen frustration, promote healthy development, and lessen the effects of a disability. Art has also proven to be a useful tool in the diagnosis and evaluation of mental health, particularly of children.

Art therapists are usually trained in psychology, with special emphasis on mark-making and symbolism, nonverbal communication, psychotherapeutic understanding of child development and family dynamics, and the importance of boundaries. They recognize that image-making is an extremely powerful activity and aim to use their visual and psychotherapeutic knowledge to facilitate change in those they work with.

The ways to achieve this vary depending on the client/patient group or the individual, the context and the therapist. However, emphasis is always placed on creativity and the therapeutic relationship.

Art therapists draw on their knowledge of art, psychology, and the artist client/patient/student, to obtain art objects that are important elements in the healing process. This method provides both children and adults alike with the means to express feelings of anger, depression, and aggression.

Art therapists also help children discern the difference between reality and the fantasies that often accompany extreme stress, environmental events, and mental or emotional disorders. They use the impressions and conclusions from the artist's work to set goals that support the achievement of educational objectives. They often participate as members of interdisciplinary teams in which impressions and conclusions are shared for program planning - educational, rehabilitation, etc.

Art therapists may work exclusively with children who have learning problems or with those who have an autism spectrum disorder. Others work with people who have suffered head injuries and strokes. Some work in the field of palliative care and in hospices.

Art therapists with advanced degrees can teach at university level and do research. Most art therapists continue their own art careers while practicing as art therapists.

The art therapy career has developed considerably since its informal beginnings, and now several universities around the world offer training in Art Psychotherapy at postgraduate level. Art therapy is a growing occupation as it gains acceptance as a viable therapeutic and evaluative tool, but it remains a relatively rare field with fewer than 5,000 in the U.S.

Where does an art therapist work?

• The public and private health sectors;
• Services for children, adolescents, adults and the elderly;
• Special and general education;
• Forensics and the prison service;
• Drug and alcohol services;
• Social services;
• Voluntary service organizations;
• Universities;
• Self-employment, in own practice.