Career Corner

Art Therapist

Description of Responsibilities
Art therapists help people use art to understand their problems and look for ways to cope with the problems. Art therapists work with people of different ages and different abilities. Their patients may be people with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. For example, art therapists may help children at a school or community center use art to help them deal with or reduce the effects of their disabilities.

Education, Training, and Professional Qualifications
Art therapists must have a college education plus a postgraduate degree. The postgraduate degree includes courses in psychopathology, diagnosis and assessment, principles of art therapy, ethics and standards of practice, and normal development. Completion of at least 1,000 hours of direct therapy with clients is required to become a registered art therapist.

Other Considerations
Art therapy is considered to be a branch of psychiatry. An art therapist must be both an artist and a counselor. The ability to interpret artwork helps art therapists diagnose and treat their patients.