Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy associating free self-expression through different forms of art, such as, painting, drawing, or modeling, used as a healing activity or an aid to diagnosis. Art therapist conducts sessions to improve clients' physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being (Onetonline). These face to face sessions involve building trusting relationship with clients through devoting attention and be actively listening to clients (Onetonline). However, in order to truly benefit the client an art therapist must be willing to help the person. Art therapists must also convey information effectively and understand the reaction of the client through their emotion (Onetonline). Becoming an art therapist is not an easy task. To be
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In the work force as an art therapist they are allowed to make their own decision, such as, where and when to work. However, their schedule must be flexible with and dependable among staff member and especially with clients (Arttherapyblog). Being an art therapist pertains to being comfortable with speaking to people since the job deals with face to face encounters (Onetonline). The article in the APA databases mentions that in order to be more successful of becoming an art therapist it would be a great idea to start getting to know professors and get familiar with organizations. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) is an organization that consists of professional art therapists, art therapy students and educators, and related practitioners from around the world (Arttherapyblog). The American Art Therapy Association includes a network of 36 state Chapters in the United States, including Wisconsin. Their goal is to advance art therapy to restore and enhance lives. There is another organization, the Art Therapy Credentials Board, and their mission, similar to AATA is to protect the public by promoting the competent and ethical practice of art therapy …show more content…
The advantage of the M.A. is the opportunity to eventually become licensed as a Counselor (LPC), (COE). Many students believe having a licensed in counseling increases their employment rate. Additionally, because Art Therapy students are not the only students desiring admission to the Counseling program, the number of applicants makes competition for admission greater (COE). Students not accepted upon their first application to the M.A. program, can get admitted to the M.Ed. program, where they began taking courses in the M.Ed. program, hoping for an opening in the future. The M.Ed. has been an AATA-Approved Program since 1994, one of approximately 35 Approved graduate programs nationwide (CEO). According to College of Education (2014) the M.A. program earned Initial AATA Approval status in 2008. The Counseling Program, in addition to having AATA-Approval, is also accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Deciding between the two programs requires some thought about the direction art therapy heads towards and in which direction would be more accountable to the desires that fits the person. Individuals who work in schools such as certified art teachers who plan to remain teaching, might be advised to complete the M.Ed. (CEO) However, for individuals wanting to work in clinical situations or as independent practitioners, the M.A. might be the
In the work force as an art therapist they are allowed to make their own decision, such as, where and when to work. However, their schedule must be flexible with and dependable among staff member and especially with clients (Arttherapyblog). Being an art therapist pertains to being comfortable with speaking to people since the job deals with face to face encounters (Onetonline). The article in the APA databases mentions that in order to be more successful of becoming an art therapist it would be a great idea to start getting to know professors and get familiar with organizations. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) is an organization that consists of professional art therapists, art therapy students and educators, and related practitioners from around the world (Arttherapyblog). The American Art Therapy Association includes a network of 36 state Chapters in the United States, including Wisconsin. Their goal is to advance art therapy to restore and enhance lives. There is another organization, the Art Therapy Credentials Board, and their mission, similar to AATA is to protect the public by promoting the competent and ethical practice of art therapy …show more content…
The advantage of the M.A. is the opportunity to eventually become licensed as a Counselor (LPC), (COE). Many students believe having a licensed in counseling increases their employment rate. Additionally, because Art Therapy students are not the only students desiring admission to the Counseling program, the number of applicants makes competition for admission greater (COE). Students not accepted upon their first application to the M.A. program, can get admitted to the M.Ed. program, where they began taking courses in the M.Ed. program, hoping for an opening in the future. The M.Ed. has been an AATA-Approved Program since 1994, one of approximately 35 Approved graduate programs nationwide (CEO). According to College of Education (2014) the M.A. program earned Initial AATA Approval status in 2008. The Counseling Program, in addition to having AATA-Approval, is also accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Deciding between the two programs requires some thought about the direction art therapy heads towards and in which direction would be more accountable to the desires that fits the person. Individuals who work in schools such as certified art teachers who plan to remain teaching, might be advised to complete the M.Ed. (CEO) However, for individuals wanting to work in clinical situations or as independent practitioners, the M.A. might be the