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Art Therapist

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What Does it Take to Be an Art Therapist?

Career Description Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients’ physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.

Life As an Art Therapist: What Do They Do?

  • Supervise staff, volunteers, practicum students, or interns.
  • Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to art therapy.
  • Photograph or videotape client artwork for inclusion in client records or for promotional purposes.
  • Coordinate art showcases to display artwork produced by clients.
  • Review research or literature in art therapy, psychology, or related disciplines.
  • Design art therapy sessions or programs to meet client’s goals or objectives.

Art Therapist Skills

These are the skills Art Therapists say are the most useful in their careers:

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Other Art Therapist Job Titles

  • Board Certified Arts Therapist
  • Art Specialist
  • Medical Art Therapist
  • Certified Art Therapist
  • Art Therapy Certified Supervisor

Job Opportunities for Art Therapists

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 19,200 jobs in the United States for Art Therapist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,300 new jobs for Art Therapist by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Art Therapist are Alaska, Colorado, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Alabama, Wyoming, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Art Therapists Salary

The salary for Art Therapists ranges between about $29,590 and $77,050 a year.

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Art Therapists who work in California, District of Columbia, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.

How much do Art Therapists make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $42,860
Arizona $49,440
Arkansas $50,170
California $75,810
Colorado $49,300
Connecticut $59,450
Delaware $46,320
District of Columbia $68,430
Florida $48,290
Georgia $43,950
Hawaii $55,470
Idaho $40,770
Illinois $46,620
Indiana $42,280
Iowa $52,470
Kansas $35,850
Kentucky $45,330
Louisiana $41,180
Maine $49,390
Maryland $48,690
Massachusetts $55,570
Michigan $51,280
Minnesota $54,660
Mississippi $38,470
Missouri $46,000
Montana $44,730
Nebraska $39,420
Nevada $58,480
New Hampshire $46,660
New Jersey $58,220
New Mexico $38,680
New York $55,370
North Carolina $47,600
North Dakota $43,910
Ohio $45,750
Oklahoma $37,760
Oregon $55,410
Pennsylvania $45,900
Rhode Island $49,310
South Carolina $42,240
South Dakota $50,480
Tennessee $41,660
Texas $43,070
Utah $48,230
Vermont $43,120
Virginia $47,590
Washington $59,860
Wisconsin $44,970
Wyoming $50,170

Tools & Technologies Used by Art Therapists

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Art Therapists may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
  • Trimble SketchUp Pro
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
  • Autodesk Maya
  • Case management software

How do I Become an Art Therapist?

Individuals working as an Art Therapist have obtained the following education levels:

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Art Therapist?

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References:

Image Credit: Barbara E. Carver via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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