Becoming an Art Therapist in Illinois
Registration and Board Certification Requirements
The ATR [registered art therapist] and ATR-BC [board certified registered art therapist] are the recognized standards for the field of art therapy, and are conferred by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). In order to qualify as a registered art therapist (ATR), in addition to the educational requirements, an individual must complete a minimum of 1,000 direct client contact hours after graduation.
Provisional – The designation "ATR-P" (Registered Art Therapist Provisional) is granted by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) to art therapists who have successfully completed the required graduate educational training and are working toward their hours for registration while practicing art therapy under an approved supervisor(s).
Registration – The designation “ATR” (Registered Art Therapist) is granted by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) to art therapists who have successfully completed the required graduate educational training and post graduate professional experience, which includes supervision by an ATR credentialed art therapist.
Board Certification – The designation “BC” (Board Certified) is granted by the ATCB to ATR art therapists who have successfully passed the independently administered, national certification examination. Re-certification is provided every five years by documentation of continuing education, publication, presentation, exhibition, and other activities which demonstrate continuing professional competence.
To obtain more information about the ATR-P, ATR and ATR-BC, please contact the ATCB at www.atcb.org.
It is important to know it is unethical for someone to practice art therapy or refer to themselves as an art therapist without obtaining a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy. For more information on ethics, see our Code of Professional Practice
Note About Licensure In Illinois
Currently, the State of Illinois does not provide licensure for Art Therapists. Art Therapists in Illinois can go on to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC) in addition to obtaining their ATR-P, ATR or ATR-BC. For more information on obtaining your LPC or LCPC license in the State of Illinois, visit the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association website.
Provisional – The designation "ATR-P" (Registered Art Therapist Provisional) is granted by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) to art therapists who have successfully completed the required graduate educational training and are working toward their hours for registration while practicing art therapy under an approved supervisor(s).
Registration – The designation “ATR” (Registered Art Therapist) is granted by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) to art therapists who have successfully completed the required graduate educational training and post graduate professional experience, which includes supervision by an ATR credentialed art therapist.
Board Certification – The designation “BC” (Board Certified) is granted by the ATCB to ATR art therapists who have successfully passed the independently administered, national certification examination. Re-certification is provided every five years by documentation of continuing education, publication, presentation, exhibition, and other activities which demonstrate continuing professional competence.
To obtain more information about the ATR-P, ATR and ATR-BC, please contact the ATCB at www.atcb.org.
It is important to know it is unethical for someone to practice art therapy or refer to themselves as an art therapist without obtaining a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy. For more information on ethics, see our Code of Professional Practice
Note About Licensure In Illinois
Currently, the State of Illinois does not provide licensure for Art Therapists. Art Therapists in Illinois can go on to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC) in addition to obtaining their ATR-P, ATR or ATR-BC. For more information on obtaining your LPC or LCPC license in the State of Illinois, visit the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association website.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Master’s Level Training Programs
Adler School of Professional Psychology
Master of Arts – Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy
Chicago Campus:
65 East Wacker Place, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60601
312-201-5900
For more information regarding Adler’s program, click below to download PDF.
M.A. in Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy Program
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling
Office: Sharp building, 7th floor
37 South Wabash Avenue
312.899-7481
email: arttherapy@saic.edu
For more information regarding SAIC’s program, click below to download PDF.
Program Overview and Admissions Application Information.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Art Therapy Counseling
Program Director: Gussie Klorer, Ph.D, A.T.R.-BC, L.C.S.W., L.C.P.C., pklorer@siue.edu
618-650-3183
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, Illinois 62026
618 650-5044
www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/art/arttherapy
Bachelor's Level Program
Millikin University
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Art Therapy
Program Director: Annette Russo
1184 West Main Street
Decatur, Illinois 62522
(800)373-7733
www.millikin.edu/art/areas-study/art-therapy
Adler School of Professional Psychology
Master of Arts – Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy
Chicago Campus:
65 East Wacker Place, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60601
312-201-5900
For more information regarding Adler’s program, click below to download PDF.
M.A. in Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy Program
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling
Office: Sharp building, 7th floor
37 South Wabash Avenue
312.899-7481
email: arttherapy@saic.edu
For more information regarding SAIC’s program, click below to download PDF.
Program Overview and Admissions Application Information.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Art Therapy Counseling
Program Director: Gussie Klorer, Ph.D, A.T.R.-BC, L.C.S.W., L.C.P.C., pklorer@siue.edu
618-650-3183
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, Illinois 62026
618 650-5044
www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/art/arttherapy
Bachelor's Level Program
Millikin University
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Art Therapy
Program Director: Annette Russo
1184 West Main Street
Decatur, Illinois 62522
(800)373-7733
www.millikin.edu/art/areas-study/art-therapy
