How to Become an Art Therapist: A Step-by-Step Career Guide (With Salary Info)
Want to earn between $30,000 to over $100,000 while helping people heal through art? A career as an art therapist might be perfect for you. This unique role combines artistic talent with clinical expertise.
Art therapists help people from all walks of life deal with anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance abuse. These skilled professionals work in hospitals, mental health agencies, schools, and private practices. The job market looks promising too – therapeutic professions are expected to grow by 4% through 2032, which suggests more opportunities as our population ages.
The path to becoming an art therapist requires specific education. You’ll need a master’s degree to start practicing. Your coursework will cover psychological development, group therapy, and multicultural competency. The hands-on experience includes at least 100 hours of supervised practicum and 600 hours of clinical internship.
Your investment in an art therapy degree can pay off well. Art therapists make an average of $67,299 per year, though earnings vary based on specialty, facility type, and location. Getting certified through the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) can boost your professional credibility and earning potential.
Let’s take a closer look at each step to become an art therapist. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right bachelor’s degree to getting certified and finding job opportunities. This piece will help you begin a journey into a career that brings together creativity and healing.
Step 1: Get a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
A relevant bachelor’s degree marks the start of your trip to become an art therapist. This original step prepares you for advanced education and specialized training that combines art and psychology for therapeutic purposes.
Recommended majors: Psychology, Art, Education
Your undergraduate education should give you a strong foundation in human behavior and artistic expression. Majors in psychology, fine arts, or education work as excellent starting points. Psychology majors learn about human development and mental health principles, while art majors develop technical skills and creative processes. Education majors’ knowledge becomes valuable, especially when you have a focus on special education, as they understand different learning needs and communication techniques.
Some universities give you pre-art therapy tracks or concentrations that blend elements from these disciplines. These specialized programs include coursework that prepares you for graduate studies in art therapy.
Courses to consider: Developmental and Abnormal Psychology
Whatever major you choose, specific courses will make your application stronger for master’s programs in art therapy. You should complete:
- Developmental psychology across the lifespan
- Abnormal psychology and psychopathology
- Introduction to counseling theories
- Basic statistics and research methods
- Studio art courses in various mediums
- Cultural diversity and social psychology
Most graduate programs need prerequisites in both psychology (usually 12-15 credits) and studio art (18-24 credits). You should check specific master’s program requirements early in your undergraduate studies to complete all work to be done.
Studio art experience and portfolio building
Your artistic skills need development beyond formal education. You should try different artistic mediums—drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital art—to find your strengths and grow your creative toolkit. Most graduate programs want applicants to submit a portfolio that shows versatility across different mediums.
Professional documentation of your artistic process and completed works is important. Volunteering at community art centers or helping with art programs at schools or healthcare facilities can give you relevant experience. These opportunities improve your portfolio and let you work with people from different backgrounds.
Note that your bachelor’s degree starts you on your path. Your combination of psychology knowledge and artistic skill creates the vital groundwork for specialized graduate education in art therapy.
Step 2: Complete a Master’s in Art Therapy
Getting a master’s in art therapy after your bachelor’s degree is a vital step in your professional growth. This graduate program will give you the clinical skills you need to practice in the field.
What degree do you need to be an art therapist?
You need a master’s degree in art therapy or a related field to become a practicing art therapist. Most programs require about 60 semester credits and take 2-3 years to complete. The best programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). Your degree’s accreditation will ensure recognition from employers and certification boards.
Core subjects: Creative process, group therapy, assessment
Master’s programs blend theory with practical skills. The curriculum usually covers:
- Creative process and therapeutic applications of various art mediums
- Psychological assessment techniques using artwork
- Group therapy dynamics and facilitation skills
- Human development across the lifespan
- Psychopathology and diagnosis
- Research methods and ethical practice
- Multicultural competency and diversity awareness
You’ll build expertise in psychological principles and artistic expression. The program teaches you to combine these disciplines into effective therapeutic treatments.
Art therapist education requirements explained
Most art therapy master’s programs require:
- Bachelor’s degree (psychology or art background preferred)
- Minimum GPA (usually 3.0)
- Prerequisite coursework in psychology and studio art
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Portfolio of artwork
- Interview
The program’s tuition ranges from 15,000-$50,000 per year, based on your choice of school. Public universities tend to cost less than private colleges.
The program includes supervised practicum experiences where you watch experienced professionals at work. These ground experiences help you apply your classroom knowledge in clinical settings. This preparation leads to a more intensive internship phase in your training.
Step 3: Gain Clinical Experience and Build Your Portfolio
Your journey to become an art therapist bridges classroom theory with ground application through clinical experience. This hands-on training helps you develop therapeutic skills with proper guidance.
Complete 100 practicum and 600 internship hours
Art therapy programs need you to complete at least 100 practicum hours and 600 clinical internship hours. Some institutions might ask for more extensive training, ranging from 700-900 supervised hours. These hours typically include:
- A minimum of 350 hours providing direct client services
- Remaining hours go to supervision, case review, record keeping, and administrative functions
- Weekly commitments of 16-24 hours at placement sites
Graduate students complete these requirements in multiple settings to gain varied experience. To cite an instance, you might split your time between working with adults and children/adolescents in different placements.
Work under supervision of a registered art therapist
Your professional development needs proper supervision. Regulatory standards state:
- Individual supervision needs one hour per ten hours of clinical work
- Group supervision needs 1.5 hours per ten hours of clinical work
- Your primary supervisor must be a board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC)
- Site supervisors need at least a master’s degree in a mental health field
Supervision will involve case presentations, therapeutic technique discussions, constructive feedback, and ethical consideration exploration. This mentorship helps you direct complex client cases and refine your unique therapy approach.
Document your work and build a strong portfolio
Your clinical experience requires detailed documentation:
- Keep detailed clinical notes following professional standards
- Take photographs of client artwork (with appropriate consent)
- Organize your personal artwork that shows your therapeutic approach
- Add examples showing versatility across different artistic mediums
Your portfolio should showcase both clinical competence and artistic abilities. Include samples that highlight your understanding of therapeutic relationships, personal creative process, and work with varied populations. This documentation proves your qualifications and readiness for professional practice.
Step 4: Get Certified and Start Your Career
Your professional credentials prove your expertise as an art therapist after completing clinical hours. These credentials show your dedication to upholding high standards in the field.
Art therapist requirements for ATR and ATR-BC
The Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential shows you’ve met education and supervised clinical experience standards. Starting July 2024, you’ll just need the Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) credential before you can apply for the ATR.
The Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) credential represents the highest professional achievement. This certification has these requirements:
- Holding an active ATR credential
- Passing the ATCB examination (USD 275 fee)
- Maintaining 100 continuing education credits every five years
You can take the exam throughout the year at Prometric, with both remote and testing center options available.
How to apply for licensure in your state
State-specific licenses complement national credentials for art therapy practice. Right now, 12 states offer professional art therapy licenses, including Connecticut, Delaware, and New Jersey. All but one of these states regulate art therapy under other professional licenses, like Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas.
Your state’s regulatory board can tell you about specific requirements that vary substantially. All the same, most states include ATCB credentials as part of their licensure process.
How much do art therapists make?
Art therapists’ pay depends on their experience, location, and workplace. They earn around USD 50,877 per year on average. New art therapists with less than a year of experience make about USD 44,165, while those with 1-4 years earn USD 51,711.
Washington tops the list with art therapists earning USD 75,115 on average, with Washington DC close behind at USD 74,944.
Where to find job opportunities
Art therapists work in a variety of settings including:
- Hospitals and wellness centers
- Educational institutions (K-12 schools and universities)
- Community clinics
- Private practice
The American Art Therapy Association’s Career Center serves as your go-to resource for jobs at every career level. On top of that, the healthcare sector should grow faster than average through 2032, that indicates rising demand for mental health services, including art therapy.
Conclusion
The rewards of helping others heal through creative expression make becoming an art therapist worth the dedication and specialized training it requires. This piece outlines the steps you need to take to enter this unique profession that combines artistic talent with clinical expertise.
A strong educational foundation through a relevant bachelor’s degree marks the start of your experience. A master’s program then provides specialized training to develop therapeutic techniques and clinical skills. Clinical experience is a vital link between academic knowledge and practical application that lets you work with patients of all backgrounds under expert supervision.
Certification through the ATCB ended up confirming your expertise and creates opportunities in healthcare settings of all types. The salary range of $30,000 to over $100,000 shows how society values these specialized healing services. The projected 4% growth through 2032 indicates steady opportunities for qualified professionals.
Note that each step builds on the previous one to create a solid professional foundation, despite the investment of time and resources. Your unique blend of artistic sensitivity and clinical knowledge will help you make meaningful differences in clients’ lives. Art therapy proves to be an ideal career choice if you have compassion and believe in creative expression’s power to heal.
FAQs
Q1. What educational qualifications are required to become an art therapist? To become an art therapist, you need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like psychology or art, followed by a master’s degree in art therapy. The master’s program typically takes 2-3 years to complete and includes both theoretical coursework and practical clinical experience.
Q2. How much can I expect to earn as an art therapist? Art therapist salaries vary based on experience, location, and work setting. On average, art therapists earn around $50,877 per year. Entry-level positions start at about $44,165, while those with 1-4 years of experience can make around $51,711 annually. Some art therapists earn over $100,000 in certain locations or specialized roles.
Q3. What kind of certification do I need to practice as an art therapist? To practice as an art therapist, you should obtain the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential. For the highest professional distinction, you can pursue the Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) credential, which requires passing an examination and maintaining continuing education credits. Additionally, many states require specific licensure for art therapy practice.
Q4. Where do art therapists typically work? Art therapists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, community centers, and private practices. They may also find opportunities in wellness centers, rehabilitation facilities, and correctional institutions. The diverse work environments allow art therapists to help different populations with various mental health needs.
Q5. What skills are essential for success as an art therapist? Successful art therapists combine artistic abilities with strong clinical skills. They need a deep understanding of psychological principles, excellent communication and empathy, and the ability to guide clients through creative processes. Additionally, cultural competency, adaptability, and ongoing professional development are crucial for providing effective therapeutic interventions through art.