Art Therapy

Art therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses art to support a patient’s therapeutic goals through evidence-based practices. Patients may not have the words to communicate their thoughts and feelings, and art making can support them in finding the words to describe their personal and medical experiences.

Art therapy sessions encourage the creation of art throughout a traditional talk therapy session, in either a one-to-one or group setting. Art therapists may use specific art directives to assess a patient’s mental health and facilitate opportunities for control, relaxation, self-expression, and quality of life. Art therapists work closely with the treatment team to tailor interventions for each patient and family.

No previous experience with art is necessary to benefit from this service.

How art therapy can help patients and families in the hospital

  • Emotional expression
  • Quality of life
  • Normalization
  • Relaxation
  • Decreasing pain and symptoms
  • Relieving stress and anxiety
  • Positive coping

Art Therapy is currently offered on a referral basis in:

  • Inpatient acute care units.

Art therapist education/certification

  • Hold a master’s degree (or higher) in Art Therapy from an approved program. Their studies focus on human development, psychological theory, counseling skills, and clinical practice.
  • Complete 100 hours of supervised practicum and 600 hours of supervised art therapy clinical internship.
  • Complete a minimum of 1,000 supervised, post-education direct client hours.

Professional organizations

Research