What is Art Therapy? 

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy can be defined as “a mental health profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship”. To become an art therapist, one must complete an accredited Master’s level program specialized in art therapy. In their master’s programs art therapist learn about artistic development, psychotherapeutic techniques, and counseling theories. In order to graduate, each must complete a practicum and internship comprising of several hundred hours of experience working with clients underneath the direct supervision of a board certified registered art therapist. In my degree I completed 700 supervised hours. I graduated in May of 2024 with my Master’s Degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Art Therapy with an emphasis in Counseling. I am currently a provisional registered art therapist as I work towards my required 1000 post-degree supervised hours. I also am hoping to soon begin working towards my licensure to become a LPC-MHSP in the state of Tennessee.