| Art therapy is an alternative treatment method that | | | | professional competence” and also works to |
| psychologists are increasingly taking note of in their | | | | share information with the general public and other |
| practices. The foundation of art therapy is the use of | | | | professionals about creative therapy. The |
| art and the creative process to facilitate healing and | | | | AATA’s educational requirements for entry into |
| a sense of wellness in those seeking mental healing | | | | the profession of art therapy specify that a |
| and treatment. This kind of therapy is used as an | | | | master’s degree in counseling with a major in art |
| adjunct therapy with a broad spectrum of | | | | therapy is necessary. |
| populations. Children, adolescents, adults and elders | | | | The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) offers |
| can all benefit from the artistic self-expression | | | | registration and board certification for therapists |
| principles involved in this discipline. | | | | interested in this specialization. A Registered Art |
| Art therapy has been shown to be effective in the | | | | Therapist (ATR), in addition to post-graduate studies, |
| treatment of a vast array of mental disorders such | | | | must complete supervised post-graduate clinical hours. |
| as anxiety, Depression, domestic violence, trauma, | | | | Once an individual becomes an ATR, they may take |
| addiction, grief and psychosocial problems related to | | | | a written examination that qualifies them to become |
| medical conditions. A wide variety of settings | | | | board certified (ATR-BC). |
| facilitate the use of art therapy including wellness | | | | Several diagnostic tools have been developed to |
| centers, private practices, hospitals, shelters and | | | | assist art therapists in clinical and research settings. |
| schools. | | | | Those who administer these tests are trained in their |
| The mediums of painting, sculpture, collage and | | | | use and applications. The Diagnostic Drawing Series |
| drawing are common visual tools used in the process | | | | and the Levick Emotional and Cognitive Art Therapy |
| of art therapy. Some therapists have broadened their | | | | Assessment are examples. |
| practice of art therapy to include other artistic | | | | In an article outlining the history and philosophy of art |
| expressions such as dance, writing, photography, | | | | therapy by the The Continuum Center for Health and |
| music and film. These alternative forms of creativity | | | | Healing, it’s noted that creativity and |
| offer opportunities for growth and transformation | | | | psychotherapy are both processes that embrace |
| similar to the mixed arts that are more traditionally | | | | change and transformation. This may explain at one |
| used in the practice of creative therapy. | | | | level why the two therapies complement each other |
| The American Art Therapy Association is a non-profit | | | | so well. |
| organization that promotes “standards of | | | | |