About Art Therapy
History Sigmund Freud, courtesy of google images
In the early 20th century, psychiatrists became interested in the artwork created by their patients with mental illness. At around the same time, educators were discovering that children’s art expressions reflected developmental, emotional, and cognitive growth. By mid-century, hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers increasingly began to include art therapy programs along with traditional “talk therapies,” underscoring the recognition that the creative process of art making enhanced recovery, health, and wellness. As a result, the profession of art therapy grew into an effective and important method of communication, assessment, and treatment with children and adults in a variety of settings. Currently, the field of art therapy is gaining acceptance in health-care facilities throughout the United States and within psychiatry, psychology, counseling, education, and the arts.
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Art Therapy: Definition of the Profession
Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art.
Art therapists are professionals trained in both art and therapy. They are knowledgeable about human development, psychological theories, clinical practice, spiritual, multicultural and artistic traditions, and the healing potential of art. They use art in treatment, assessment and research, and provide consultations to allied professionals. Art therapists work with people of all ages: individuals, couples, families groups and communities. They provide services, individually and as part of clinical teams, in settings that include mental health, rehabilitation, medical and forensic institutions; community outreach programs; wellness centers; schools; nursing homes; corporate structures; open studios and independent practices. |
Professional Affiliations For Networking
American Art Therapy Association www.arttherapy.org
Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc. www.atcb.org
American Art Therapy Association Locator click here
American Counseling Assocation www.counseling.org
American Psychological Association www.apa.org
Illinois Mental Health Counseling Association www.imhca.org
Art Therapy Network http://arttherapynetwork.wordpress.com/
Art Therapy Net (Twitter Account) http://twitter.com/arttherapynet
Art Therapy Scholar’s Blog http://arttherapystudents.wordpress.com/
Society for the Arts in Healthcare www.thesah.org
Neighboring Art Therapy Associations
Kansas Art Therapy Association click here
Kentucky Art Therapy Association click here
Michigan Art Therapy Association click here
Minnesota Art Therapy Association click here
Missouri Art Therapy Association click here
Ohio Art Therapy Association (The Buckeye) click here
Wisconsin Art Therapy Association click here
Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc. www.atcb.org
American Art Therapy Association Locator click here
American Counseling Assocation www.counseling.org
American Psychological Association www.apa.org
Illinois Mental Health Counseling Association www.imhca.org
Art Therapy Network http://arttherapynetwork.wordpress.com/
Art Therapy Net (Twitter Account) http://twitter.com/arttherapynet
Art Therapy Scholar’s Blog http://arttherapystudents.wordpress.com/
Society for the Arts in Healthcare www.thesah.org
Neighboring Art Therapy Associations
Kansas Art Therapy Association click here
Kentucky Art Therapy Association click here
Michigan Art Therapy Association click here
Minnesota Art Therapy Association click here
Missouri Art Therapy Association click here
Ohio Art Therapy Association (The Buckeye) click here
Wisconsin Art Therapy Association click here
