Art Therapist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an art therapist. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an art therapist.
Who is an Art Therapist?
Art therapy is a well-established mental health profession that employs the process of creating art to improve and enhance people’s mental, physical and emotional well-being.
It is based on the belief that artistic expression helps people resolve conflicts and problems, improve interpersonal skills, manage their behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and self-awareness, and gain insight.
Art therapy combines the fields of human development and visual arts with psychotherapy and counseling models.
However, fun and individual expression are essential parts of your patient’s identity. Therapies that do not tap into creativity and imagination leave valuable tools behind. Art therapy can use those tools to unlock the critical pieces of thought or experience that can help people get through their worst moments.
Art therapy is a popular alternative to traditional talk therapy. This therapy uses art as a tool to help individuals process their emotions, reflect, and share their thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, art therapists combine traditional psychotherapy with art therapy.
Art therapists combine psychology and art to help clients deal with their life situations. Art Therapy Credentials Board states that “Art therapy uses the creative process and the resulting art as a therapeutic process and healing process.” Art therapy can be used to help clients express difficult topics and release emotions through an artistic medium. It also allows for personal growth.
Art therapists are psychologists who have studied both psychology and human development and have been trained in therapy and art. They can assist individuals, couples, and families as well as groups of people, regardless of their sex, age or ethnicity.
Art therapists encourage clients to get involved in creating art. This helps them develop coping skills and cognitive function.
Some forms of therapy also use language or words to communicate. There are instances when people are unable to express themselves in this limited range. Art therapists are trained in recognizing hidden symbols and metaphors that can be difficult to communicate with words. Individuals can see the benefits of art therapy and the positive changes that can be made to their lives through this process.
The field of expressive art therapy has been proven to be a powerful one that can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Art therapists can help people struggling with memory or emotions resulting in abuse, combat, cancer, and traumatic brain injury.
Art Therapist Job Description
Below are the art therapist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an art therapist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Consulting with patients to discuss medical history and to identify problems or conditions that they desire to overcome.
- Conducting art therapy sessions with patients using various forms of visual art such as drawing, painting, clay modeling, and ceramics.
- Discussing the meanings and emotions of artworks with patients, it is important to talk with them.
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to create or integrate personalized treatment plans.
- Developing art therapy programs that are appropriate for patients, based on their goals, needs, and preferred artistic expressions.
- Teaching patients strategies and coping skills to help them deal with difficult and traumatic situations.
- Supervision of art therapy interns and students.
- Keeping detailed records about the progress of your patients and any observations you make during art therapy sessions.
- Listening to your clients and offering guidance.
- Working with different client groups in a therapeutic setting and creating new ways of working together, creating a safe and secure environment.
- Encouraging clients to play with a variety of art materials, such as paint, ink, and pastels, and encouraging them to try new things.
- Allowing clients to see their artworks and the process used to create them
- Assessing and understanding the feelings and temperaments of your clients
- Challenging hour clients’ behavior and attitudes constructively
- Participating in case conferences and meetings to exchange ideas, expertise, and best practice.
- Keeping up-to-date with administrative tasks
- Keeping art therapy space and materials available
- Exploring opportunities for work in areas that may not be currently available
- Presenting a case to other professionals about the reasons for hiring an art therapist
- Keeping up-to-date with the latest developments in your field by attending seminars, lectures, and workshops.
- Meeting clients or patients and organizing activities and sessions
- Planning and facilitating activities and maintaining the workshop and equipment
- Listening to clients or patients and providing advice on the best activities
- Organizing and facilitating group and one-on-one workshops
- Liaising with other professionals including those in medicine, education, healthcare, and social services.
- Participating in seminars, workshops, and conferences to discuss treatment options and exchange ideas and experiences
- Encouraging clients or patients to look at their art and reflect on its meaning to them.
- Referring patients and clients to other health professionals and therapists
Qualifications
To be an art therapist, you need to have a combination of education, certifications, and training.
Education
An art therapist must have at least a master’s in art therapy. A student may take the following courses during an art therapy program:
- Theories of art therapy
- Counseling
- Psychotherapy
- Standards of ethics
- Evaluation and assessment
- Creativity and human development
- Non-verbal metaphors and symbols
- Multicultural considerations
To expand their career opportunities and improve their earning potential, some art therapists pursue a doctoral degree. A Ph.D. or Psy.D. is required for those who want to open their art therapy clinic.
Training
Art therapists need to complete an internship in a clinical, community, or another setting. They must also have at least 100 hours of supervision and 600 hours of supervised clinical internship. They also need to have studio art training.
Art therapists can receive training on the job to help them understand their facility’s practices and procedures before they enter the workforce. Art therapists may be trained in online calendaring, client files, and other specific processes.
Seminars, lectures, and conferences are all ways for art therapists to get on-the-job training. These events allow art therapists to keep up-to-date with the latest information, network with other professionals, and learn new techniques.
Certificates
The American Art Therapy Association awards professional practice credentials at three levels.
- ATR: Registered art therapist (ATR)
This is granted after a candidate has completed their education requirements and has undergone the supervised clinical practice.
- Board Certified Art Therapist (ATRBC)
Awarded to candidates who have completed their education requirements and supervised clinical practice. They also pass a written exam. The candidate must also provide proof of continuing education.
At the time of applying for this certification, the applicant must have obtained their ATR certification and shown leadership skills.
You may also need a license to practice law in certain states. There are many licensing boards, so it’s important to check the regulations in the area where you plan to practice. To be eligible for a license, you may need to have a degree, experience, and hours of education.
Essential Skills
An art therapist must have both interpersonal and technical skills to be successful. These are important skills for an artist therapist:
- Active listening
A therapist must be able to listen to patients and make notes of any important information. Although an art therapists may not be able to communicate with their patients verbally, it is important that there is a dialogue between the patient and the therapist and that they listen carefully and pay attention to what is being said.
- Art skills
An art therapist will attend several classes to learn the basics and more advanced concepts of different artistic media. This not only gives patients credibility but also equips them with the skills to assist in the creation process.
- Boundary setting
It is common for patients to form strong bonds with their therapists when they begin working together. Patients may want to develop a romantic relationship or friendship with their therapist.
It is crucial to establish boundaries with patients and keep them maintained as art therapists. This allows the therapist to be objective and can avoid any personal relationships that could interfere with their ability to provide help to patients.
- Critical thinking
Every patient an art therapist treats is unique. Each person has their challenges and needs. Art therapist can use their critical thinking skills to gather information and make informed choices based on that information. Critical thinking is crucial in helping therapists to assess patients and create treatment plans. The art therapist can provide better care by using critical thinking to make better decisions.
- Cultural knowledge
Art therapists are likely to spend considerable time with patients whose cultural beliefs and upbringing differ from their own. To better serve their patients, therapists must be able to recognize cultural differences.
It is easier to give care that is sensitive to the patient’s needs and to help them get the most out of therapy.
- Communication
While art therapists spend a lot of time listening and observing their patients, they also need to speak and give instruction. It is important to communicate clearly with patients to ensure that they understand what you are trying to say. It is difficult for patients to understand their art therapist and have meaningful therapy sessions if they are not able to communicate with them.
- Empathy
Patients are vulnerable when they participate in therapy sessions. Art therapists must be able to appreciate and understand this. Empathy allows the therapist to put themselves in the shoes of their patient and to see the patient’s experience as well. Empathy skills that are more advanced than others will allow art therapists to better understand the feelings of their patients. This allows them to create more customized treatment plans, which will increase the effectiveness of their treatment.
- Psychological theory
An art therapist must have a solid foundation in both artistic theory and practice. They also need to be familiar with psychological theory. Both of these skills work together to enable the art therapist to create artistic works that address the causes of distress or stress in the patient’s present or past. An art therapist must be comfortable using a variety of artistic media to tailor their treatment plans to maximum effectiveness.
How to Become an Art Therapist
It is essential to have both a background and expertise in psychology if you wish to pursue art therapy. These are the steps to becoming an art therapist.
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree can help you start your journey as an art therapist. This could be in psychology, counseling, or art education. An art therapist can benefit from courses that teach visual arts skills such as sculpting, painting, and drawing. These techniques allow patients to express themselves. You can also take courses in cognitive, development, or physiological psychology during your bachelor’s degree program to gain a better understanding of mental health issues as well as treatment options.
- Obtain a master’s degree
The master’s degree includes fieldwork and advanced courses that prepare students to become art therapy certified. Students who earn a master’s in art therapy receive training in group therapy and psychological development. They also learn how to assess art therapy and conduct research.
- Do a clinical internship
As a prerequisite to becoming a licensed art therapist, the American Art Therapy Association requires that you complete 600 hours of clinical art therapy internship. An art therapist oversees students during their internship in art therapy. Students are required to assess and treat real patients. An art therapist will also instruct students in clinical situations. Art therapy majors can apply their psychology and art skills in practical situations that will prepare them for work with patients in the future.
- Create a portfolio
A portfolio of art therapy includes artwork created by the student and case studies from their internship. Portfolios are a great way to show your artistic skills. They also provide evidence to employers that you can understand and interpret other artists’ work. A portfolio is an excellent idea when you begin taking art classes.
- Earn credentials
You need to be certified by the Art Therapy Credentials Board before you can practice as an art therapist. You can become a certified art therapist by completing a master’s program and an internship in art therapy. The Art Therapy Credentials Board reviews your education and confirms that you are qualified to practice as an art therapist.
- Open positions in art therapy
Search job boards or medical facilities for art therapist jobs. This step requires you to create a resume that highlights your skills and experience. You should also submit your portfolio to demonstrate your knowledge and ability in art techniques. To prove your skills and qualifications, including your education and credentials. You can include clinical internships or other art-related work experience in your art therapy resume.
Where to Work
A variety of settings are possible for an art therapist to see patients. These are some of the most common locations where an art therapist can work:
The private residence of the client
- Community buildings
- Corrections facilities
- Eldercare communities
- Hospitals and clinics
- Outpatient treatment facilities
- Private and rented studios for artists
- Schools and universities
- Private buildings owned by therapists
One therapist might work in several locations, so it is possible for all the patients that an art therapist treats to meet in one location. Consider where you’ll be working as an art therapist when looking for opportunities. The demands at each location may vary significantly.
Art Therapist Salary Scale
Art therapists can earn an annual salary ranging between $34,270 and $96,160 depending on their practice location, experience, and methods.
