Art Therapist
Express Through Creativity
Support Emotional Healing
Transform Trauma Safely
Undergraduate
Graduate
Master's in Art Therapy
Post-Graduate
No degrees available
This is the educational pathway. There may be additional tests or licensure requirements necessary before begining to practice in the field. Consult your state guidelines for more. information.
Popular Titles
Core Areas of Impact
Is this career right for you?
What is the role of an art therapist?
An art therapist uses creative expression such as drawing, painting, and other visual arts to help individuals explore emotions, manage stress, and improve mental health.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical day includes conducting therapy sessions, guiding creative exercises, developing treatment plans, documenting client progress, and collaborating with healthcare or education professionals.
Where do art therapists work?
Art therapists work in hospitals, behavioral health clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, community programs, and private practices.
What are the common job titles and career paths?
Common roles include Clinical Art Therapist and Board Certified Art Therapist. Career paths may lead to specialization in trauma therapy, program leadership, or private practice.
Who is this career a good fit for?
This career suits individuals who enjoy creative expression, psychology, and helping people process emotions through nonverbal communication.
What are the biggest rewards of this career?
Rewards include meaningful therapeutic impact, creative professional work, and opportunities to support individuals facing emotional or psychological challenges.
What does long-term growth look like?
Long-term growth may include advanced certification, clinical supervision roles, leadership within therapy programs, or private practice development.
What is the educational pathway to become an art therapist?
To become an art therapist, you typically must complete a master’s degree in art therapy or a related mental health field with specialized coursework in art therapy. Programs include supervised clinical training and preparation for professional credentialing such as Registered Art Therapist or Board Certified Art Therapist.
A strong undergraduate foundation in psychology is valuable preparation for this field. Sara Schenirer’s BA in Psychology provides coursework in human behavior, development, and counseling foundations that can support admission to graduate-level art therapy programs.
The standard pathway includes completion of a relevant undergraduate degree, a master’s degree in art therapy, supervised clinical experience, and professional credentialing.
