Ethical Issues In Art Therapy

Miami-Dade County was one of the first and most successful school districts in Miami to develop an art therapy program. The Pilot Program combined art education and art therapy with increased federal funding for special education services in public schools. The success of the program provided additional art therapists with specialized staff development for the art teachers, while eliminating the art education classroom component. The art therapist’s role then involved assessments, interventions, consultations, professional development, research and department support. There was also additional emphasis on the interaction with parents, school psychologists, family therapists, social workers, and other teachers. The model developed into something …show more content…
The ethical principles for art therapists are necessary in order to provide standards of professional competence as well as principles that give art therapists the ability to ensure the welfare of their clients. There are several principals that art therapist should adhere to. One of the ethical principles that art therapist must adhere to is to insure that there is no discrimination against any of their clients they are treating. In addition to discrimination it is also important that art therapist become culturally diverse. I think it is also very important to identify what type of cultural background the child is coming from because as a therapist you need to be able to interpret the artwork that students create based on their cultural …show more content…
Teachers, students and parents alike see the value of integrating art therapy into classrooms. Unfortunately during the difficult financial times that school districts face it is important to figure out where art therapy fits in the typical school setting. Schools will find it extremely difficult to be able to afford adding additional staff members and professional specialist. The challenge will be to find ways to embed art therapist into existing art