Not every person responds well to “traditional” forms of talk therapy, even if they have some healing to do. Sitting in a therapist’s office can be intimidating, and the verbal nature of conventional therapy might not resonate with everyone. Some individuals may have experienced trauma while in group therapy settings, finding the group dynamics or vocalizing their feelings in front of others distressing. For those who find it challenging to express their emotions verbally or who have negative associations with traditional therapeutic environments, art therapy offers a less intimidating and non-verbal avenue for exploration and healing.

Art therapy, while more general than equine therapy or drama therapy, provides a tactile and creative outlet for individuals to express and process their emotions. It’s beneficial for those undergoing therapy and can be a fun and rewarding career for therapists. Read on to learn more about art therapy and how to embark on a career as an art therapist.

What does an Art Therapist Do?Job RequirementsSalary (How Much Does an Art Therapist Make?)Schools for Art Therapy DegreesCompanies That Hire Art TherapistsInterviews with an Art TherapistFamous Art TherapistsArt Therapy Examples

What does an Art Therapist Do?

Job Requirements

Salary (How Much Does an Art Therapist Make?)

Schools for Art Therapy Degrees

Companies That Hire Art Therapists

Interviews with an Art Therapist

Famous Art Therapists

Art Therapy Examples

Art therapists use art as healing, providing creative expression to those suffering from mental disorders and distress. Through different media (painting, crafting, sculpting, etc.), art therapists give patients in many settings the chance to try something new, relieve stress, and use their minds.

Art therapists may work with patients including:

You don’t have to be a master sculptor or the next Picasso to get involved in art therapy. If you are interested in helping people recover through creative expression, you can start a journey toward becoming an art therapist.

Some art therapists go right to school for a Master’s degree in art therapy from an accredited college. Others get a Master’s in various forms of clinical psychology or even social work. If this route is chosen, you may want to choose a degree that has a concentration in art therapy or additional art therapy courses that can give you the tools you need to succeed as an art therapist.

Once you have received this education, it’s time to work toward your board certification. The Art Therapy Credentials Board offers an examination to anyone who has completed a Master’s degree in art therapy to get board-certified in their state. Check with your state for additional credentials and what art therapists will need to get a job in a school, rehab center, or correctional facility setting.

Salaries for art therapists depend on where you work and how much experience you have in your field. Making a six-figure salary is not guaranteed, but most art therapists are in their positions for the non-monetary rewards.

Art Therapist Reported SalaryLowAverageHighPayscale.com$37,000$46,128$63,000ZipRecruiter$31,000$68,293$196,000Salary.com$37,779$41,782$47,661

Art Therapist Reported Salary

Low

Average

High

Payscale.com

$37,000

$46,128

$63,000

ZipRecruiter

$31,000

$68,293

$196,000

Salary.com

$37,779

$41,782

$47,661

​

The program you attend may also make a difference in the job opportunities and the salary you end up with. These are some of thetop schools for art therapyacross the United States:

Art therapy can assist treatment of various disorders and experiences, from substance abuse todepressionto generalized emotional difficulties. For this reason, many different organizations may be looking for art therapists in your area. Art therapists work at:

Still not sure if art therapy is the career for you? Listen to art therapists talk about their careers and what a day in their life looks like. There are plenty of places to find these interviews:

Art has been a form of therapy since the dawn of time, but it hasn’t always been recognized as such. It wasn’t until pioneers likeEdith KramerandMargaret Naumburgmade connections between psychology and art therapy that the field reached many throughout the US.

Hanna Kwiatkowskawas a sculptor and psychologist who pioneered the field of family art therapy.

Adrian Hillwrote Art Versus Illness after discovering the healing benefits of art in his own life. He is considered the founder of art therapy in the United Kingdom.

A more modern philosopher,Alain de Botton, wrote Art as Therapy in 2013 and brought the idea of art therapy to a much wider audience in recent years.

As an art therapist, you might have various jobs based on your clientele and the organization you work for. From day to day, you might:

By understanding the unique needs and challenges of each setting, an art therapist can offer tailored interventions and techniques that provide the most therapeutic benefit to their clients.

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Reference this article:Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Art Therapist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/art-therapist-career/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Art Therapist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/art-therapist-career/.Copy

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Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Art Therapist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/art-therapist-career/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Art Therapist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/art-therapist-career/.Copy

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