What is
Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes the creative process of making art to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals. It integrates psychotherapeutic techniques with the creative process to help individuals express themselves, resolve conflicts, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness and self-esteem. Art therapy can involve drawing, painting, sculpting, and other forms of visual art.

Today art therapy is widely practiced in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, wellness centers, forensic institutions, schools, crisis centers, senior communities, private practice, and other clinical and community settings. During individual and/or group sessions art therapists elicit their clients’ inherent capacity for art-making to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Research supports the use of art therapy within a professional relationship for the therapeutic benefits gained through artistic self-expression and reflection for individuals who experience illness, trauma, and mental health problems and those seeking personal growth.

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

FAQs

  • Art therapy is particularly effective during times of crisis, changes in circumstance, trauma, and grief.

    According to research, art therapy helps people feel more in control of their own lives, and helps relieve anxiety and depression, including among cancer patients, tuberculosis patients in isolation, and military veterans with PTSD. In addition, art therapy assists in managing pain by moving mental focus away from the painful stimulus.

  • Art therapists serve diverse communities in different settings—from medical institutions like hospitals, cancer treatment centers and psychiatric facilities, to wellness centers and schools. Many art therapists have independent practices. They also help support individuals and communities after a crisis or traumatic event.

  • Art therapy can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds. It is particularly effective for individuals experiencing:

    • Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD

    • Emotional and psychological challenges such as grief, trauma, and loss

    • Developmental and learning disabilities

    • Neurological conditions and physical illnesses

    • Behavioral and social difficulties

    • Stress and life transitions

    Art therapy provides a non-verbal way to explore and express feelings, which can be especially useful for those who find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and emotions through words alone.

  • To become an art therapist in New York, you must follow these steps:

    1. Educational Requirements: Obtain a master's or doctoral degree in art therapy or a related field that includes coursework in art therapy theory, techniques, and practice, as well as supervised clinical experience.

    2. Postgraduate Experience: Complete a specified number of supervised clinical hours post-graduation. This typically involves working under the supervision of a licensed art therapist or other qualified mental health professional.

    3. Licensure Examination: Pass the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCBE) or another examination approved by the New York State Education Department.

    4. Application for Licensure: Submit an application for licensure to the New York State Education Department, including proof of education, supervised experience, and examination results.

    5. Continuing Education: Engage in continuing education to maintain and enhance professional competence throughout your career.

  • Credentials for art therapists in New York are managed by the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions. Here’s how the process works:

    1. Approval: Credentials are approved based on meeting the educational, experience, and examination requirements. Applicants must provide documentation of their qualifications and pass the necessary examinations.

    2. Maintenance: To maintain licensure, art therapists must engage in ongoing professional development and continuing education. This includes completing a specified number of continuing education hours within each registration period. The continuing education must be in areas related to the practice of art therapy and approved by the New York State Education Department.

    3. Renewal: Licenses must be renewed periodically. The renewal process typically involves submitting evidence of completed continuing education and paying a renewal fee.