The British Association of Art Therapists defines art therapy as “a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication.” There are no limits on who can participate and no constrictions on what artistic supplies can be incorporated. The field, available to children and adults of all backgrounds and circumstances, opens up avenues of communication that extend beyond verbal language, exploring feelings that cannot be spoken.
Over the past few months, we’ve published a series of articles suggesting relaxation techniques — inspired by the field of art therapy — meant to help readers unwind, heal and express these unspoken feelings. We are not art therapists, and although the various artistic methods are based on therapy methods, art therapy can really only be defined as such when enacted in the presence of a certified art therapist. So, we reached out to one.
Specifically, we spoke to Dr. Sarah Deaver, the President of the American Art Therapy Association. We were curious to learn about the relatively young therapeutic field, one which remains somewhat unfamiliar to outsiders despite its recent rapid growth.
To the readers who responded to our previous posts, we’re listening. We are shifting gears and exploring the world art of therapy through the lenses of certified professionals who do the job day in, day out. Today we are starting with the basics — namely, What is art therapy? After laying the foundation, we will survey a range of individuals working in various distinct branches of the field, providing vivid stories of the still unfolding field. Read on to learn the basics, in theory and in practice, of the beautiful profession where art and psychology intersect.
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Art therapy is a mental health profession. Art therapists work in many places. It used to be that art therapists worked primarily in psychiatric hospitals, but now they practice along a continuum from the traditional individual psychotherapy session to community art settings. We work in residential treatment centers and jails and prisons and detention centers, alternative schools, veteran’s affairs, medical centers. A lot of art therapists do work with older adults at assisted living centers. We engage in private practice. Also, there’s a lot of art therapy in medical settings, working with people who have been traumatized, such as war veterans. Working with people who have chronic pain or serious illness such as cancer. People dealing with the psychological aspects of having a serious medical diagnosis. There are many places where we work.
If someone is interested in seeing an art therapist, what’s the first step?
There are a couple of ways to find an art therapist. On the American Art Therapy Association website there’s an art therapy locator. Also the Art Therapy Credentials Board, which is now in the United States, the board that awards professional credentials to art therapists, they also have a “find an art therapist” option on their website.
