Art Therapy Jobs

People in art therapy jobs use creative modalities to support clients in reaching goals and to help clients deal with physical and psychological problems.

Art Therapy Job Description

• Art therapists treat clients from a broad range of backgrounds and may work in hospitals, schools, shelters or private practice.
• They assess and develop treatment plans for clients and encourage clients to express themselves through a variety of media, such as paints, pastels or clay.
• The objective of art therapy is not to create beautiful art work, but rather to allow clients to explore their emotions and their lives visually. This approach can be very helpful for clients who struggle to express their concerns verbally.

Skills and Knowledge Required

Art therapists typically complete a graduate degree in art therapy.

Completing a supervised internship is also usually required for art therapists.

Creative and technical skill and knowledge of the theories and concepts underlying the field of fine arts is required.

Understanding of psychological principles including knowledge of human behavior, understanding of individual differences in ability, personality, and interests, concepts related to learning and motivation and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Art therapy jobs require strong counseling skills including knowledge of methods for diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating physical and mental dysfunctions.

Art therapists typically work with a multi-disciplinary team in order to treat patients.

Personality Traits

People in art therapy jobs are generally social, artistic and enterprising. People who are social prefer work that involves helping, treating or counseling others through personal interaction. They are empathic, patient and extroverted. Artistic individuals seek self expression in their work and prefer jobs that do not require following a clear set of rules. Individuals who are enterprising investigative enjoy work that involves persuading or directing others.

Job Opportunities and Earning Potential

Above average growth is expected for recreational therapists (which includes art therapists) in the U.S through to 2018. Job growth will be a result of growing therapy needs of an aging population.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, annual wages for recreational therapists (which includes art therapists) ranged from approximately $24,000 to $62,000, with the median wage being $39,440. ^{Source: United States Bureau of Labour}

Art Therapy Schools and Education Requirements

People who aspire to work in an art therapy job typically complete an undergraduate degree with a focus in fine arts and psychology and then go on to complete an art therapy degree or an art therapy masters program.

Graduate level programs approved by the American Art Therapy Association (see arttherapy.org for updates)

California
Loyola Marymount University - MA in Marital and Family Therapy: Specialization in Art Therapy
Notre Dame de Namur University - MA in Art Therapy, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy with Specialization in Art Therapy
Phillips Graduate Institute - MA in Psychology with a major in Marriage and Family Therapy/Art Therapy

Colorado
Naropa University - MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, Concentration in Art Therapy

Connecticut
Albertus Magnus College - MA in Art Therapy
George Washington University - MA Art Therapy

Florida
Florida State University - MS in Art Therapy

Illinois
Adler School of Professional Psychology - MA in Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy
School of the Art Institute of Chicago - MA in Art Therapy
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville - MA in Art Therapy Counseling

Kansas
Emporia State University - MS in Art Therapy

Kentucky
University of Louisville - MEd in Counseling and Personnel Services with Concentration in Expressive Therapies

Massachusetts
Lesley University - MA in Expressive Therapies: Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Springfield College - MS in Art Therapy

Michigan
Wayne State University - MEd in Art Education/Art Therapy Concentration, MA in Counseling with Art Therapy Concentration

New Jersey
Caldwell College - MA in Counseling Psychology with Art Therapy Specialization

New Mexico
Southwestern College - MA in Art Therapy/Counseling

New York
College of New Rochelle - MS in Art Therapy Counseling
Hofstra University - MA in Creative Arts Therapy
Long Island University - MA in Clinical Art Therapy
Nazareth College of Rochester - MS in Art Therapy
New York University - MA in Art Therapy
Pratt Institute - MPS in Art Therapy/Special Education
School of Visual Arts - MPS in Art Therapy

Ohio
Ursuline College - MA in Art Therapy and Counseling

Oregon
Marylhurst University - MA in Art Therapy Counseling

Pennsylvania
Drexel University - MA in Art Therapy
Marywood University - MA in Art Therapy
Seton Hill University - MA in Art Therapy with Specialization in Counseling

Virginia
Eastern Virginia Medical School - MS in Art Therapy

Washington
Antioch University - MA in Psychology with specialization in Child, Couple, and Family Therapy and Art Therapy; MA in Psychology with Specialization in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy; MA in Psychology with Specialization in Art Therapy

Wisconsin
Mount Mary College - MS in Art Therapy

Art Therapy Training Programs approved by The Canadian Art Therapy Association (see catainfo.ca for updates)

• BC School of Art Therapy
• Concordia University - Creative Arts Therapies Program
• Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
• St.Stephen's College
• Toronto Art Therapy Institute
• Vancouver Art Therapy Institute
• Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue - programme d'art-thérapie

Resources

American Art Therapy Association (this link opens in a new window)
Professional association for art therapists in the United States.

Canadian Art Therapy Association (this link opens in a new window)
Professional association for art therapists in Canada.

For tips on how to complete your own research on art related jobs not featured here, or for tips on how to find art therapy job information for countries not included here, please see the article Art Career - How to Research Art Careers