How to Become an Art Therapist in 2025: Complete Career Guide
To become an art therapist, you'll need a master's degree in art therapy, counseling, or marriage and family therapy with an art therapy concentration. This requires approximately 7-9 years total, including supervised clinical experience. You must complete 1,500-4,000 supervised clinical hour,s depending on licensure path and state, then pass licensing exams to become an LPC or LMFT. Licensed mental health counselors earn a median of $59,190 annually, while marriage and family therapists earn $63,780.
Art therapy combines creative expression with clinical mental health treatment to help people process emotions, trauma, and life challenges through artistic media. As an art therapist, you'll use painting, drawing, sculpture, and other creative forms to help clients unlock feelings that are difficult to express with words alone.
The field is growing as more people recognize the power of creative therapies. Research shows art therapy effectively treats trauma, anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. If you're drawn to both psychology and creative expression, becoming an art therapist lets you merge these passions into a meaningful career helping others heal.
Table of Contents
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses creative processes and artistic media to help people explore emotions, develop self-awareness, manage behavior, reduce stress, improve self-esteem, and resolve trauma. Unlike art classes that focus on technique or aesthetics, art therapy uses the creative process itself as a therapeutic tool.
In art therapy sessions, the focus isn't on creating museum-quality work. Instead, therapists guide clients through creative activities that help them express thoughts and feelings that may be too painful, complex, or overwhelming to put into words. The artwork becomes a bridge to understanding and healing.
Art therapy allows patients to visually communicate thoughts and feelings that are too painful to verbalize, making it especially effective for trauma survivors, children, and those with communication difficulties.
Art therapy can be used alongside traditional talk therapy or as a standalone treatment approach. The American Art Therapy Association defines it as an integrative mental health profession that enriches people's lives through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience.
What Does an Art Therapist Do?
Art therapists are trained mental health professionals who use both formal and informal assessment techniques to develop individualized treatment plans. They make choices about which art forms and materials to use based on their clients' preferences, comfort levels, diagnosis, and therapeutic goals.
During sessions, art therapists guide the creative process and help clients interpret their artwork to uncover underlying emotions and experiences. They work collaboratively with clients, sometimes creating art alongside them to build rapport and model the creative process.
Key responsibilities of art therapists include:
- Conducting intake assessments to understand clients' mental health needs and artistic backgrounds
- Developing treatment plans that incorporate specific art media and therapeutic techniques
- Facilitating individual, group, or family art therapy sessions
- Guiding clients through creative activities designed to address specific therapeutic goals
- Interpreting artwork and helping clients understand symbolic meanings and emotional content
- Maintaining detailed clinical documentation and progress notes
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals on treatment teams
- Adapting interventions based on client progress and changing needs
Art therapy has proven particularly effective in situations where traditional talk therapy presents challenges, such as with patients struggling with traumatic memories, individuals with developmental or communication disabilities, and couples seeking to collaborate on shared creative projects rather than focusing solely on conflicts.
Art Therapist Salary and Job Outlook
Art therapy offers competitive salaries that vary based on your licensure type, work setting, experience level, and geographic location. Since most art therapists hold professional licenses as counselors or marriage and family therapists, salary data reflects these broader occupational categories.
National Salary Data for Art Therapists (2025)
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data), art therapists typically hold licensure as either Licensed Professional Counselors or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. Since the BLS doesn't track art therapists as a separate occupational category, salary data reflects these broader license types that most art therapists hold:
| License Type | Median Annual Salary | Entry Level (10th %ile) | Experienced (90th %ile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Counselors (LPC) | $59,190 | $39,090 | $98,210 |
| Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT) | $63,780 | $42,610 | $111,610 |
Your earning potential as an art therapist depends on several factors. Therapists with board certification (ATR-BC) often command higher salaries. Those working in hospitals, psychiatric facilities, or private practice typically earn more than those in schools or community organizations. Geographic location also plays a significant role, with art therapists in urban areas and states with higher costs of living generally earning above the national median.
Job Outlook and Growth
The mental health counseling field is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade. Increasing awareness of mental health issues, reduced stigma around seeking therapy, and growing recognition of creative therapies' effectiveness all contribute to strong demand for art therapists. Many healthcare facilities now incorporate art therapy into integrated treatment programs, creating new opportunities for practitioners.
Education Requirements for Art Therapists
Becoming an art therapist requires significant education and training. You'll need at minimum a master's degree, which means completing six to seven years of college education plus supervised clinical experience before you can practice independently.
Educational Timeline
| Education Stage | Duration | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 4 years | Psychology, art, or related field with prerequisites in both areas |
| Master's Degree | 2-3 years | Art therapy concentration through counseling or MFT program |
| Supervised Practice | 1-2 years | 1,500-4,000 hours depending on state and license type |
| Total Time | 7-9 years | From bachelor's degree to full licensure |
Undergraduate Preparation
Your undergraduate education should include coursework in both psychology and art. Most art therapy graduate programs require specific prerequisites, including abnormal psychology, human development, research methods, and studio art courses. You don't need to be an accomplished artist, but you should have a foundational understanding of various art media and creative processes.
Graduate Education
Art therapy graduate education typically comes through one of two paths: a master's degree in counseling with an art therapy concentration, or a marriage and family therapy degree with art therapy specialization. Some institutions offer dedicated art therapy master's programs. Regardless of the path, your graduate education must include specific coursework in art therapy theory, techniques, and clinical applications.
Art Therapy Degree Pathways
Art therapists must be licensed therapists or counselors to work with patients in clinical settings. This means you'll pursue either a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) license. Both paths require master 's-level education from accredited programs.
Path 1: Art Therapy Through Counseling (LPC)
To become a licensed professional counselor offering art therapy, you'll need a master's in counseling program with an art therapy concentration. Look for programs with specialty accreditation from CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs), which ensures you'll receive quality education and be eligible for state licensure.
Counselors approach mental health from a practical, individual-focused perspective that aligns well with art therapy's adaptive and creative nature. Your coursework will include human development, group counseling, crisis intervention, psychopathology diagnosis and treatment, and specialized training in art-based assessment and therapy methods.
| Program Feature | LPC with Art Therapy Concentration | LMFT with Art Therapy Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Individual client needs and immediate presenting problems | Relationships, family systems, and interpersonal dynamics |
| Theoretical Approach | Diverse counseling theories with creative expression integration | Family systems theory with art as communication tool |
| Typical Clients | Individuals across lifespan, all diagnoses | Couples, families, individuals within family context |
| Accreditation Body | CACREP | COAMFTE |
| Average Program Length | 60 credit hours (2 years full-time) | 60 credit hours (2 years full-time) |
| Supervised Hours | 2,000-4,000 hours (varies by state) | 1,500-4,000 hours (varies by state) |
Path 2: Art Therapy Through Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT)
Becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist requires a master's in marriage and family therapy from a COAMFTE-accredited program (Commission on Accreditation in Marriage and Family Therapy Education). LMFTs view mental health through the lens of relationships and social connections, making them well-suited for art therapy approaches that involve families or couples creating together.
LMFT programs with art therapy concentrations are less common than counseling programs, so you'll need to research carefully. Your coursework will cover family systems theory, multicultural perspectives, group therapy, and specialized art therapy techniques adapted for couples and family work.
Online Programs for Art Therapy
Online education has become increasingly common for counseling and therapy degrees. You can find accredited online MFT programs and online counseling programs that offer art therapy coursework. However, these programs present unique challenges for art therapy specializations since hands-on studio work and in-person supervision are typically required components.
If you're considering online education, verify that the program meets your state's licensure requirements and provides adequate opportunities for supervised clinical practice with art therapy techniques. Hybrid programs that combine online coursework with in-person intensives may offer the flexibility you need while maintaining quality art therapy training.
Additional Accreditation: ACATE Programs
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) recognizes graduate programs approved by ACATE, the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education. ACATE accreditation is specific to art therapy education standards and curriculum, ensuring programs provide comprehensive training in art therapy theory and practice. However, ACATE accreditation doesn't replace the need for CACREP or COAMFTE accreditation if you're pursuing state licensure as a counselor or therapist, as those accreditations are required for most state licensing boards.
Some programs hold dual accreditation (CACREP/COAMFTE plus ACATE), providing comprehensive preparation for both state licensure eligibility and specialized art therapy credentials. When researching programs, prioritize those that hold the accreditation required for your state's licensure pathway, with ACATE accreditation as an additional credential that demonstrates art therapy-specific quality standards.
Licensure and Certification Requirements
After completing your master's degree, you'll need to obtain state licensure to practice art therapy clinically. Licensing requirements vary by state but generally follow similar patterns: completing supervised post-graduate clinical hours, passing national examinations specific to your license type, and meeting state-specific requirements.
State Licensure Process
Most states license art therapists under broader counselor or marriage and family therapist categories. The typical licensure path includes:
- Master's Degree: Complete an accredited program in counseling or MFT with an art therapy concentration
- Supervised Experience: Accumulate 1,500-4,000 supervised clinical hours (requirements vary significantly by state and license type)
- National Examination: Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) for LPC licensure, or the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam for LMFT licensure
- Background Check: Pass criminal background screening
- State Exam: Some states require additional jurisprudence examinations on state laws and ethics
States With Specific Art Therapy Licenses
Nine states currently offer dedicated art therapy licenses separate from general counselor or therapist credentials:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania (effective January 1, 2025)
In these states, you'll typically need specialty certification from the Art Therapy Credentials Board or graduation from an AATA-recognized program. You'll also take state-specific examinations rather than national standard tests. Some states, like Texas, recognize licensed professional counselors who practice art therapy, though Texas doesn't offer a separate art therapy license or formal specialty designation.
Art Therapy Credentials Board Certification
While not required in most states, professional certification from the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) can enhance your credentials and career prospects. The ATCB offers several certifications, with the Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) being the most recognized.
To earn ATR-BC certification, you must pass the ATCBE examination, a comprehensive test of art therapy theories and clinical skills. This is the same exam several states use for art therapy licensing, so earning certification can potentially fulfill both requirements if you time it strategically.
The certification process demonstrates your competence to employers and clients, may lead to higher salaries, and can be particularly valuable if you plan to relocate to different states throughout your career.
Where Art Therapists Work
Art therapists work in diverse settings across the mental health, healthcare, education, and social services sectors. Many are self-employed, maintaining private practices where they set their own hours, choose their client populations, and determine their therapeutic approaches.
Common employment settings for art therapists include:
- Hospitals: Medical centers, psychiatric units, and rehabilitation facilities use art therapists as part of integrated treatment teams
- Mental Health Facilities: Psychiatric care centers, residential treatment programs, and outpatient mental health clinics
- Schools: Elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as special education programs and alternative education settings
- Community Organizations: Nonprofit agencies, community mental health centers, and social service organizations
- Correctional Facilities: Juvenile detention centers, prisons, and rehabilitation programs
- Crisis Centers: Domestic violence shelters, crisis intervention services, and trauma recovery programs
- Senior Living Communities: Assisted living facilities, memory care units, and adult day programs
- Substance Abuse Treatment Centers: Inpatient and outpatient addiction recovery programs
- Private Practice: Independent therapy offices, group practices, or telehealth platforms
Your work setting influences your daily responsibilities, client populations, and income potential. Hospital-based positions often offer higher salaries and benefits but may require working with acute psychiatric conditions. School-based art therapists work with children and adolescents and typically follow academic calendars. Private practitioners have maximum flexibility but must manage all business aspects themselves.
Types of Art Therapy Techniques
As an artist, you probably already know that your medium chooses you as much as you choose it. By the time you're considering art therapy training, you likely have clear preferences for certain creative processes and materials. The good news is that art therapy encompasses virtually any artistic medium, and there's no single "right" approach.
The most effective form of art therapy is the one that resonates with both the therapist and client. Your role is matching the right medium to each client's needs, preferences, and therapeutic goals.
Common art therapy modalities include:
- Painting: Using color, composition, and brushwork to help clients express inner emotions and visualize healing
- Drawing: Offering detailed perspective work that allows clients to combine words and visualization in their therapeutic process
- Sculpting and Clay Work: Providing tactile, three-dimensional approaches that work especially well for clients who benefit from physical manipulation of materials
- Pottery: The meditative quality of throwing pots on a wheel offers unique therapeutic benefits that are calming yet creatively engaging
- Collage: An excellent choice for clients without strong artistic backgrounds, allowing them to express themselves through selecting and arranging existing images
- Textiles: Weaving, knitting, crochet, and other fiber arts provide rhythmic, repetitive activities that can be soothing while creating wearable or functional items
- Digital Art: Increasingly popular with younger clients, digital media offers endless possibilities for experimentation without material waste
- Photography: Helps clients document their world, shift perspectives, and create visual narratives of their experiences
Some artistic modalities are so specialized that they've developed their own professional associations and standards. Music therapy, governed by the American Music Therapy Association, involves using sound, rhythm, and musical expression therapeutically. Dance and movement therapy, overseen by the American Dance Therapy Association, uses body movement as the primary therapeutic tool and shares similarities with physical therapy approaches.
Don't feel limited by traditional definitions. If your creative process involves unique or emerging media, explore how to adapt those approaches therapeutically. The key is developing clinical skills to apply your artistic knowledge in the service of clients' healing and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Art Therapist
How do you become an art therapist?
To become an art therapist, you must first earn a master's degree in counseling or marriage and family therapy with an art therapy concentration from an accredited program. This requires completing a bachelor's degree (4 years) with prerequisites in psychology and art, then a master's program (2-3 years) with specialized art therapy training. After graduation, you'll complete supervised clinical experience (1-2 years, totaling 1,500-4,000 hours depending on state and license type) and pass licensing examinations to practice as an LPC or LMFT offering art therapy services.
How long does it take to become an art therapist?
The complete path to becoming a licensed art therapist typically takes 7-9 years total. This includes four years of earning a bachelor's degree with appropriate prerequisites in psychology and art, two to three years in a master's program with an art therapy specialization, and one to two years of accumulating 1,500-4,000 supervised post-graduate clinical hours required for licensure. The timeline can vary based on whether you attend full-time or part-time and your state's specific supervised hour requirements for your chosen license type.
Do I need to be a talented artist to become an art therapist?
No, you don't need exceptional artistic talent to become an effective art therapist. Your goal isn't to create museum-quality artwork but rather to understand creative processes and use art as a therapeutic tool. You need enough artistic background to work comfortably with various media and guide clients through creative activities. Your empathy, clinical skills, and ability to interpret artwork therapeutically matter more than your personal artistic achievements.
Can I become an art therapist with an online degree?
Yes, you can pursue art therapy training through online or hybrid programs, though this path presents unique challenges. Art therapy requires hands-on studio work and supervised clinical practice that can be difficult to complete entirely online. Look for programs that combine online coursework with in-person intensives or local supervised clinical placements. Ensure any program you consider is properly accredited and meets your state's licensure requirements.
What's the difference between an art therapist and an art teacher?
Art therapists are licensed mental health professionals who use art as a clinical treatment tool to address psychological issues, trauma, and mental health conditions. They focus on the therapeutic process and emotional content rather than artistic skill development. Art teachers are educators who teach artistic techniques, art history, and aesthetic appreciation, focusing on artistic growth rather than psychological healing. Art therapists must hold master's degrees in counseling or therapy and state licenses to practice.
Do art therapists get paid well?
Art therapists earn competitive salaries comparable to those of other master 's-level mental health professionals. According to 2024 BLS data, licensed mental health counselors (the category that includes many art therapists) earn a median of $59,190 annually, while marriage and family therapists earn $63,780. Experienced art therapists in the 90th percentile can earn $98,210 to $111,610 annually. Your salary depends on your license type, work setting, geographic location, experience level, and whether you hold specialty certifications like the ATR-BC credential. Note that the BLS doesn't track art therapists as a separate category, so these figures represent the broader roles of licensed counselors and therapists that art therapists typically hold.
Is art therapy recognized by insurance companies?
Yes, when provided by licensed mental health professionals (LPCs or LMFTs), art therapy is generally covered by insurance. However, coverage depends on your license type rather than your art therapy specialization. You'll bill under your counselor or therapist license using appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes. Patients should always verify their specific coverage with their insurance provider, as policies vary regarding mental health services and approved provider types.
Key Takeaways
- Art therapists must earn a master's degree in counseling or marriage and family therapy with an art therapy specialization, which requires approximately 7-9 years in total, including supervised clinical experience (undergraduate degree, graduate program, and post-graduate supervised hours).
- Two main licensure paths exist: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). LPCs take the NCE or NCMHCE exam, while LMFTs take the AMFTRB exam. Both paths require 1,500-4,000 supervised clinical hours, depending on state requirements.
- Licensed mental health counselors earn a median of $59,190 annually, while marriage and family therapists earn $63,780, according to 2024 BLS data. Experienced therapists in the 90th percentile earn $98,210 to $111,610. These figures represent the broader license categories most art therapists hold.
- Nine states currently offer specific art therapy licenses (Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Pennsylvania as of January 2025), while others license art therapists under broader counselor or therapist categories.
- Art therapists work in diverse setting,s including hospitals, schools, mental health facilities, private practice, and community organizations. The field shows strong growth as mental health awareness increases.
- Board certification through the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATR-BC) enhances career prospects and may be required in some states, though it's optional in most locations.
Ready to Start Your Art Therapy Career?
Explore accredited counseling and marriage and family therapy programs with art therapy specializations that match your career goals.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, School Psychologists, Psychologists-All Other; Psychiatric Techs; Psychiatrists; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health and Mental Health Counselors; Marriage & Family Therapists; and Social Workers are based on state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2025.
