Do you love to analyze art and want to understand the thought process of an artist while creating a particular artwork? Are you an artist who wants to use their unique art creation ability to help people apart from selling art at the best online art galleries?
If you've replied "yes" to any of the above-mentioned questions, an art therapy career might be an ideal choice for you. Art therapists are eligible to treat everyone, from children suffering from PTSD issues to adults with anxiety issues. Art therapy is a guided process much like personal-psychological counseling.
This article will cover art therapy and how you can become an art therapist.
Want to sell your prints online to high-value clients? Sign up with the best art platforms.
Who Is An Art Therapist?
An art therapist is a psychology-related professional using visual and expressive art to help individuals comprehend emotion and manage trauma.
An art therapist skillfully combines psychology and the creative art process to craft unique healing and counseling treatment. Art therapy can help alleviate stress, enhance communication and interpersonal skills and treat several other mental health issues.
As an art therapist, you can find a role in several health care institutions, including rehab centers, mental health clinics, hospitals, special child care counseling centers, and private practices. Depending on your specialization, you can treat patients of any age.
Searching for the best places to sell paintings? Online art platforms with gallery partnerships might be a great option for you.
Art therapists are specifically trained to treat several conditions, including:
Addiction
Depression
Stress-related concerns
Anxiety
Family and work issues
Neurological issues
Post-traumatic stress disorder
What Are The Job Roles, Tasks, And Responsibilities Of An Art Therapist?
An art therapist is specially trained to resolve mental health concerns and ensure the overall well-being of the patients through expressive, creative therapy that helps understand and process emotions.
The roles and responsibilities of an art therapist include:
Guide creative therapy sessions.
Conduct therapeutic interviews to deliver uniquely tailored psychotherapy and counseling.
Conduct assessments to identify the root cause of the health issues and create the appropriate treatment.
Observe and interpret the patient period during the art creation or evaluation process.
Draft evaluation and progress reports and case summaries.
Offer follow-up services to ensure prolonged health outcomes and prevent relapse.
Examine, monitor, manage and evaluate the effectiveness of artistic interactions.
Consult with other medical experts in the field of psychology to help set holistic goals for patients.
How To Become An Art Therapist?
Art therapy is a highly specialized and delicate field. You will be responsible for treating patients' mental concerns. Therefore, apart from being a skillful artist and knowing how to sell your prints online, it's essential you have expertise in psychology as well.
Here are 6 steps to start your career as an art therapist.
Complete A Bachelor's Degree
The initial step to becoming an art therapist is to earn a bachelor's degree in fine art, sculpture creation, psychology, art education, behavioral science, or counseling.
Courses that incorporate creative skills such as painting, sculpting, photography, mixed media art creation, and drawing are especially beneficial because these techniques enable patients to express their emotions.
A bachelor's degree can also make you specifically trained to present and sell your paintings at the best online art galleries.
Get A Master's Degree
A master's education course comprises advanced courses and practical work that groom students for obtaining a professional art therapy certification. Some master courses also offer specializations such as child care, PTSD treatment, etc.
A master's degree in earth therapy compasses training in group therapy sessions, psychological development, art therapy evaluation, creative process, and research methodologies.
Secure A Clinical Internship
To become a certified art therapist, you need to complete certain hours of clinical internship in practical art therapy as a prerequisite. In an art therapy internship, you will learn to evaluate and treat actual patients. You will also receive mentorship from a registered art therapist for practical, real-life scenarios. Such practical training prepares you for working independently with patients in the future.
Develop A Portfolio
Developing a portfolio as an art therapist is different from developing a portfolio to find the best places to sell paintings.
In an art therapy portfolio, you create cases and demonstrate case studies from the internship. Portfolios serve as evidence to future employers that you completely comprehend the creative process and are specifically trained to interpret a patient's response to art successfully.
Earn Credentials
To become a registered art therapist, you need certification from the Art Therapy Credentials Board or any other relevant art establishment.
These apex institutions evaluate your education and training and offer you approval to practice as an independent art therapist.
Apply For Open Positions And Secure A Job
Sign up on job boards and medical research facilities hiring art therapists. Apply to the open positions with an updated resume, prepare for the interview, and provide proof of qualification and work experience that you may have.
Conclusion
Art therapy is an interesting and rewarding career option. Follow these six steps to begin your journey as a registered therapist and use your creative skills for the betterment of society.