All careers

Art Therapists

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients' physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.

What you’d do

  • Conduct art therapy sessions, providing guided self-expression experiences to help clients recover from, or cope with, cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments.
  • Talk with clients during art or other therapy sessions to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to the artistic process.
  • Write treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
  • Assess client needs or disorders, using drawing, painting, sculpting, or other artistic processes.
  • Design art therapy sessions or programs to meet client's goals or objectives.
  • Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to art therapy.
  • Develop individualized treatment plans that incorporate studio art therapy, counseling, or psychotherapy techniques.
  • Establish goals or objectives for art therapy sessions in consultation with clients or site administrators.

Skills that matter

  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making

How to get there

Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

Also called

  • Art Psychotherapist
  • ATR (Registered Art Therapist)
  • ATR-BC (Board Certified Art Therapist)
  • Therapist
  • Activity Therapy Specialist
  • Clinical Art Therapist

Related careers

See all careers

  • Music Therapists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical…

    Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

  • Recreational Therapists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions.

    Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

  • Marriage and Family Therapists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family…

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests.

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Occupational Therapy Assistants

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Occupational Therapists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as…

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher