The AATA regulates educational, professional and ethical standards for art therapists. It strives to increase community awareness by offering workshops, lectures, training programs, regular newsletters, and special fund-raising events. Moreover, it supports legislative efforts at the state and federal level, encourages the highest quality art therapy service to clients ("AATA Fact Sheet"). These many and diverse activities progressively promote the therapeutic use of art.
Art therapists work as primary therapists or as part of treatment teams (including psychiatrists, psychologists, rehabilitation counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and nurses) to determine and implement therapy programs. They work in private offices, hospitals, community centers, corporations, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, prisons, and all levels of schools. They work with groups or one-to-one with people of all ages and stages of emotional and intellectual development. They meet patients/clients individually, in groups, couples, and families to paint, draw, or do other artwork; and/or meet with them individually or in groups to explore significance of imagery used in their art productions ("Qualifications").
A person who has an interest in the arts and a parallel interest in helping emotionally, socially, or physically disabled people can enter the art therapy field (Fleshman and Fryrear 29). To become an art therapist, one must have a master's degree in art therapy, a master's degree with an emphasis in art therapy and 21 semester units in art therapy with a master's degree in a related field ("FAQ"). After graduation, art therapists who have met specific professional standards established by the AATA may use the letters "ATR" to designate their professional status. These standards include completing a designated number of hours practicing in the field as well as passing a certification exam ("Qualifications").
< BACK NEXT >