Art Therapist Jobs

Answer 1

Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses the creative process to help improve a person's overall well-being. Anyone can benefit from art therapy; no previous artistic training or skill is necessary. Art therapy centers around the belief that self-expression through art can be a very valuable tool in the healing process as clients work to resolve their issues, develop coping skills, manage stress, and find ways to make healthy choices in their everyday lives.

Art therapists work with clients of all ages and can find jobs in a variety of settings including hospitals, mental health agencies, residential treatment centers, domestic violence shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, schools, and private practice settings. Art therapy has been found to be very effective with clients who suffer from anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, and even physical or neurological disorders. Art therapists are trained to evaluate their clients and choose art mediums that might be most valuable to their treatment plan based on their individual needs.

In traditional therapy, clients are expected to express themselves verbally. However, verbal expression can be very difficult for many people, especially in times of trauma. Art therapy allows clients to express themselves in other ways. Drawing, painting, sculpture, and other methods of the artistic process are used to treat clients in combination with traditional counseling and psychotherapy in order to set the healing process in motion. Because art encourages self-expression, art therapy is also known as expressive therapy. Through the creation of art combined with talk therapy, clients can increase both self-awareness and awareness of others and the world around them. As they develop a higher sense of awareness, they develop healthier coping mechanisms and improve their self-esteem.

To become an art therapist, one must be trained not only in art but therapy as well in order to develop a solid understanding of human development, psychology, clinical practice, and how art can be used as an effective tool in the healing process.