Art Therapists

Also Called: Art Psychotherapist, Art Therapist, Counselor/Art Therapist, Group Therapist

Master's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$40,790

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Art Therapists do

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

  • Talk with clients during art or other therapy sessions to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to the artistic process.
  • Conduct art therapy sessions, providing guided self-expression experiences to help clients recover from, or cope with, cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments.
  • Design art therapy sessions or programs to meet client's goals or objectives.
Industry Areas:

Health Care

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Contact With Others
  • Freedom to Make Decisions
  • Telephone
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Tools

  • Circle or oval paper cutters
  • Still cameras
  • Paper shaping tools
  • Scanners
  • Utility knives

Technology

Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Knowledge

Health
therapy and counseling
Math and Science
psychology
sociology and anthropology
Arts and Humanities
music, dance, visual arts, drama, or sculpture
English language
Business
customer service

Education

  • 76% Master's degree
  • 24% Post-master's certificate

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Endoscopy Technicians

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Dental Assistants

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

Child, Family, & School Social Workers

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Art Therapists Currently Selected

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Aaniiih Nakoda College

    Harlem, MT

  • Adelphi University

    Garden City, NY

Apprenticeships

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Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Artistic (Creator)
    • Investigative (Thinker)
    • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Self Control
  • Concern for Others
  • Integrity
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Dependability

Values

  • Relationships
  • Achievement
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Art Therapists across the country typically make.

$19.61 / hour
$40,790 /year

Entry Level

$30.60 / hour
$63,650 /year

Median Level

$59.87 / hour
$124,530 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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