2 answers
Sky
Student
Anaheim, California
1
Question
Updated
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How to know what program is best for becoming an Art Therapist?
I am currently in High School looking for colleges and programs for my intended major. # #college-major
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2 answers
Jason Rechtman, MA, MBA, LPC
Manager of Clinical Quality
120
Answers
Freehold Township, New Jersey
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Congrats on having a solid idea of what you want to do! I am a licensed therapist in NJ so i want to give you a little background about how it all works, at least from this state's perspective.
One of the most important things to look at as an under grad is internship opportunities. You will be able to get into a graduate program regardless of your major and where youre coming from. Art Therapy is a very specific concept and as a professional i would avoid it as a major if it exists. I would look into childhood development, and/or psychology. you don't know what you don't know about the field yet. You may want to gravitate to music therapy, hippotherapy(using animals), and god knows what else will be created and utilized by the time you are in the field and licensed.
As an undergrad having graduated with a BA, you would typically not be able to practice on your own as an art therapist but you would potentially be able to get employed somewhere. Essentially, you will need to go to graduate school if you ever want to be your own boss working as a licensed therapist.
One other thing you will notice in your research are the words certified and licensed. Anyone can get a certification if they meet the criteria. being certified to do something still does not allow you to practice on your own. At minimum in most states, you would need to become licensed as a therapist in some capacity - that can be (with a masters degree) an licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family counselor, or a licensed clinical social worker. Those license program allow you to practice on your own- private practice.
You typically cannot get education in art therapy and then open your practice- well you can but the insurance companies will never pay you anything and it would be difficult to set up a business and be competitive when there are more educated and trained professionals likely in the same place you are trying to set up whose insurance is accepted.
Now as an established licensed individual you can get certified in art therapy and advertise as such. So you would be like a licensed physical and have a specialty to put it generally speaking.
I hope this helps, if not please write back and i can answer more questions. Best of luck! research as much as you can!
One of the most important things to look at as an under grad is internship opportunities. You will be able to get into a graduate program regardless of your major and where youre coming from. Art Therapy is a very specific concept and as a professional i would avoid it as a major if it exists. I would look into childhood development, and/or psychology. you don't know what you don't know about the field yet. You may want to gravitate to music therapy, hippotherapy(using animals), and god knows what else will be created and utilized by the time you are in the field and licensed.
As an undergrad having graduated with a BA, you would typically not be able to practice on your own as an art therapist but you would potentially be able to get employed somewhere. Essentially, you will need to go to graduate school if you ever want to be your own boss working as a licensed therapist.
One other thing you will notice in your research are the words certified and licensed. Anyone can get a certification if they meet the criteria. being certified to do something still does not allow you to practice on your own. At minimum in most states, you would need to become licensed as a therapist in some capacity - that can be (with a masters degree) an licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family counselor, or a licensed clinical social worker. Those license program allow you to practice on your own- private practice.
You typically cannot get education in art therapy and then open your practice- well you can but the insurance companies will never pay you anything and it would be difficult to set up a business and be competitive when there are more educated and trained professionals likely in the same place you are trying to set up whose insurance is accepted.
Now as an established licensed individual you can get certified in art therapy and advertise as such. So you would be like a licensed physical and have a specialty to put it generally speaking.
I hope this helps, if not please write back and i can answer more questions. Best of luck! research as much as you can!
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Mental health, education, research, care coordinator
92
Answers
Oakland Park, Florida
Updated
Racheal’s Answer
Hi. This is a great question as it relates to your career path. As someone who has gone to a performance arts school for 7 years and who is also a licensed counselor, it is important to know what your options are as well as how to combine art with therapy to build your brand.
First, recognize what type of art your want to utilize with therapy. This is important because you do not want to just use art as a crutch to remove yourself from therapy, but to enhance the change process in therapy. Also be willing to educate the client on how this form of art is therapeutic, does it decrease anxiety, motivate a person to communicate assertively. Then think about how you plan to add it and move it with the learning process of the client. Sometimes art is suppose to be used in a short amount of time and done while some art can have a longevity to the therapeutic process and even after the client terminates.
There are schools that offer counseling with a specialization in art and that would be the way you would need to get regulated to make sure you are putting liability on yourself as a therapist.
I attended the Adler University and they have an art therapy specialization that has suited many students.
I would encourage you to continue to work on your artistic craft and know your why as to what impact you plan to make in the therapy world as an art therapist.
Good luck!
First, recognize what type of art your want to utilize with therapy. This is important because you do not want to just use art as a crutch to remove yourself from therapy, but to enhance the change process in therapy. Also be willing to educate the client on how this form of art is therapeutic, does it decrease anxiety, motivate a person to communicate assertively. Then think about how you plan to add it and move it with the learning process of the client. Sometimes art is suppose to be used in a short amount of time and done while some art can have a longevity to the therapeutic process and even after the client terminates.
There are schools that offer counseling with a specialization in art and that would be the way you would need to get regulated to make sure you are putting liability on yourself as a therapist.
I attended the Adler University and they have an art therapy specialization that has suited many students.
I would encourage you to continue to work on your artistic craft and know your why as to what impact you plan to make in the therapy world as an art therapist.
Good luck!