If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the Art Therapy Blog feed or by entering your email address on the right. Thanks for visiting!
Art Therapy a Good Career? An Outlook on Art Therapy
We’ve written about the definition of art therapy and who it can help before. These are good places to start to see if this is of interest to you. If you already know you’re interested in utilizing art and creativity to heal others, then keep reading about whether it’s a good career move. You can also start looking for schools with art therapy programs and learn how to become an art therapist.
Art Therapy Career Outlook
Art therapy as a career has been trending upward in the last 5 years or so. However, it appears that there has been a significant decrease in art therapy related jobs in the United States since the beginning of 2009, with a slight pick up in March/April of 2010 (likely due to macro-economic factors).
Some locations have a higher demand for art therapists and art therapy related positions, so you will have to do some investigation to check the career health of art therapy for your location, whether you’re willing to move, and so on. Unfortunately, it’s still not quite as popular as some other therapies, but most major metros should have several options for you to explore.
If becoming a licensed and certified art therapist isn’t for you, then you can still broaden your horizon by utilizing art and creativity in other jobs/careers, such as speech therapy, counselling, psychotherapy, and many others (know some others? Make your suggestions in the comments). Some people may take continuing education art therapy courses and/or add art therapy to their skillset to help with their existing job.
The Art Therapy Career Path
To become a certified and licensed art therapist, you will likely have to complete a variety of educational and internship requirements. Check with your local art therapy organization for more information about your area.
You will likely have to take some variety of art classes and psychology classes, get a master’s degree, and achieve the appropriate requirements for your certification and licensure.
Another potential art therapy career path is to apply the healing power of art and creativity to a position that affords you this freedom and can still be beneficial. It would be wise to take some classes and even attempt to achieve some level of certification, if possible, to help with your art therapy career initiatives.
For more information visit art therapy careers and jobs.
No related articles.
Filed as Career | Comments (37)37 Responses to “Art Therapy a Good Career? An Outlook on Art Therapy”
Leave a Reply
I completed my masters degree in Art Therapy this past summer. (Woo hoo!) I plan to combine this degree with my first career (architect) by being an art therapist/ counselor for those both studying to be in art-related fields and those working in art-related fields.
I hope others will join me!
I was accepted to two Master’s programs. Mount Mary in Milwaukee and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Pratt has a spring/summer intensive program that I plan to enroll in, which is low-residency although quite spendy. I’m very nervous about whether this is truly the route I should take, because I don’t want to move out of Minnesota and I know the art therapy career outlook here is bleak!! Any advice or words of encouragement?
Kristen, If you do not want to move out of Minnesota you could look into the Masters level Art Therapy program at the Adler Graduate School in Richfield. At AGS you can also get training to become licensed as either a Marriage and Family therapist or Professional Councelor (LPCC)while getting yout AT training. This will be helpful for your future career opportunities especially if you stay in MN.
Really consider your options, and where (geographically) you may end up after graduate school. Art Therapy jobs will be most prevalent in larger cities, with a larger population of hospitals who have psychiatric facilities. Understand that unless you are in a large city, the work you may be doing is more traditional therapy or even recreation/activity therapy. You may not find work with your desired population. The reality is rarely how it is painted in graduate school.
I got my Master’s in AT in spring of 08 and haven’t been able to find good, consistent work. My classmates have been more successful, but that is most likely because I relocated to a smaller city than they are working in. It helps to have flexibility as well – if you don’t care where you live, maybe you can just search for the perfect job. Keep in mind that every state is going to have a different certification/licensing process though, and some states do not have an AT license at all. In that case (as was my case) you will have to go out for the state’s general counselor’s or therapist’s license just to get work (which may prove to be complicated – it took me 15 months, and the license required me to go back to school for a course that my grad program didn’t provide). I may have a skewed view since it has been tough since leaving graduate school, but that has been my experience, and the above would be my advice. I’m sure you’ll hear lots of success stories, but it would be wise to understand the risks of embarking on a new career and shelling out the dough for graduate school.
Good luck!
You need to be willing to “market” yourself and your field. Although I am employed as a “school based counselor” for a mental health center, I am an art therapist. I run 7 art therapy groups per week and do mostly art or experiential therapy in groups or individual therapy. I also have training in family therapy which is necessary when working with children. I rarely see “art therapist” jobs in the midwest, but often there are ways to work as an art therapist within other counseling jobs. Make sure you can be licensed in the state you want to locate yourself.
How is the outlook for being a certified art therapist in New York State? I’m currently enrolled in the BFA Art Education program, but if that doesn’t work out (teaching positions are difficult to find on Long Island, especially with the cuts they are making), I may continue my education and enroll in the Master’s art therapy program at C.W. Post which does lead to certification. Has anyone graduated from the master’s program or know what the career outlook is in NY? Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Our sincerest apologies if anyone was offended by the previous imagery as this was not our intent. We have updated the picture. Thank you for the comments.
I think that we need to be clear. An Art Therapist, according to the American Art Therapy Association, is someone who has their Master’s Degree in Art Therapy. People can say they use art as therapy in different fields, as you suggested, but NEVER can ethically say they are doing Art Therapy.
Having spent a lot of money on my art therapy degree, I think you ought to rethink advising readers that they can take a few courses and do some art therapy as a result. Calling it art for healing– same difference. Maybe it would be better that you just stay with topics about how art therapy helps and leave this type of career information to the professionals.
A lot of these comments resonate with me. I agree with Kristina, it is important for art therapists to be willing to market themselves as art therapists, especially if they are not going to work in a city where they will probably get a job as an art therapist. In a smaller town, often the ATR credential will be an add-on to an LPC-dominant job title (i.e. clinician, etc.) which in some ways can make folks more marketable… However, it’s like asking a science teacher to coach a sport (which they also have legit training in)–their dominant degree is in education, but they may have been hired mainly because the school needed a coach. Art therapy is a good career; one just must be willing to market, market, market (and defend your ATR credentials), as it is a new (but growing) career. I am an art therapy graduate student in the midwest set to graduate this May, and after spending hours of looking for possible job openings (I live in a rural area), there’s not much for art therapist-dominant positions here. It seems we’re even having to defend the ATR credentials on this blog, which shouldn’t need to happen…
Also, in response to the image posted previously, I just don’t understand the image and want to hear the thoughts about it by the admin. With all due respect, what does it mean?
come over to england to work its great
How is the market for AT jobs in New Mexico? Also, are there different/better jobs if you obtain PhD? Thanks!
I <3 art therapy ust to go when I was about 9. I am gonna be an art therapist when Im older because I love art and I love helping people.
Art Therapy covers all sorts of art (ie. dance, singing, painting, sculpting etc.) I am in process myself, and am enjoying it from all directions. In any therapist, a graduate degree is necessary (for an artist as well as psychology). Through academic advisors, I have been advised to cover the basic as well as the specific job. I finished with an associates in Sculpting and am in process of a BFA in Saptial Arts and a BS in Clinical Psych. This is just the start for a well rounded Art Therapist as I have been told. MFA, MS and PhD would make me experienced and ready for any position that is available. It may not be an Art therapy position at first, but the experience make me a better candidate for specialized positions.
Does anyone know how difficult it is to work in states that recognize LPC if you are an LMHC? and vise versa? My husband will be graduating with a masters in school counseling as well as the necessary coursework/hours for his LPC. The art therapy masters program I want to do when he’s graduated is in Florida where we’re now realizing he will need substantially more classes and supervised hours to become an LMHC there, as LPC is not recognized. I’ve also noticed there are more states that recognize LPC, so this has me wondering if I will have a hard time in states other than Florida (and a handful of others) with an LMHC….. I’m so confused about all of this and any advice would be more than helpful. Thanks so much for any info you may have.
Kristin – Don’t know if you’ll see this comment, but I’d love to hear more about your plan of being an art therapist/counselor for those both studying to be in art-related fields and those working in art-related fields. This seems to be a really unique twist on the more conventional practices of art therapy, and I’d like to pick your brain a bit about it. Also, where did you study? Comment back, or email me through my blog if you see this
Hi;
I have worked in a very, very rural area as a full-time art therapist for almost four years, working in a clinic. I make an above average wage and have good benefits. I have ATR-BC, and LPC credentials as well as an ATRL-licensed art psychotherapist credential. Around here the LPC credential is necessary to bill insurance companies. The clinic carried me for the first 2 years while I worked long enough to achieve my license.
There are a lot of people and employers who will tell you no out of ignorance of what art therapy can provide to the therapeutic community, but you must have the confidence and conviction of your modality to move ahead in AT. I see a very diverse profile of patients and have had some successful outcomes using art therapy. You must essentially trust the process and know that what you offer is important.To be honest, I had to be the art lady a couple of times in the early years. I had to remember that all art-making is therapeutic. I also have done art therapy in some extreme conditions wherein I was the only educated therapist within 30 miles in all directions dealing with the entire community’s children. Goodness, I love my job as an AT.
Now, about getting the required face-to-face hours to get the license to bill insurance: it has come to my attention that there are clinics that are advertising for Bachelor’s level therapists, and some are rural. This is a way for them to draw Master’s level therapists for lower pay. However, this is also a way to get the necessary hours needed for a license. Keep this in mind when looking for work. You’ll be underpaid for 2 years, but come out with a license. Those unlicensed jobs are hard to find.
I graduated dec 2010 with my masters at Hofstra University located in Nassau County, Long Island, NY. The program and the professors were all great and highly recommended. I even went to the school there as an undergrad studying psychology and minoring in fine arts.
It is very hard to find an art therapy job, even harder finding a place that will hire you while you are working towards liscensure. There are a lot more opportunities in the city and in psych facilities or in hospitals.
networking with colleagues, supervisors and professors will definitely help in the long run. There is always going to be someone who knows someone who needs an AT or there may be a related position that could eventually help you land an AT job.
I want to work as an AT for kids with special needs but i might have to do AT in a different field until I get licensed. It is an ongoing battle.
I am going to graduate with a BA in Psychology, but had no idea what I wanted to do with it, and also have a desire to be an Art Teacher, but thought, I also love psychology and would hate to waste that degree,… would Art Therapy be a good choice for a masters? I am seeing that there isn’t a great outlook for it, but there isn’t much of an outlook for anything I want to do anyways (LOL) so should I just go for it? It sounds like the perfect combination of what I want! P.s. I live on Long Island, so the outlook is probably much less, right?
Hi there. I am looking quite seriously at entering a masters program for AT but am doing some research first as I would have to take out loans and what not to achieve the degree. I was wondering if anyone was/is familiar with the Portland Oregon market or the Bay area in California. Would anyone have any information on the opportunities available to an AT grad in those areas?
I earned a master’s degree in art therapy and marriage and family therapy in 2008. I had set out to become an art therapist only and the MFT was just part of the program, everyone said it was better for job security. Well the MFT is what has gotten me jobs in the past few years. The problem is that even though I get to do some art therapy with individual clients and families, also run one group in the summer for kids, that it is not what i actually wanted to do. With all the evidence-based practice, billing, severe diagnosis, and productivity …it makes working as a therapist not my cup of tea. So if anybody tells you that a dual degree will give you job security, they are right, but it may not be what you set out to do, it may not be your dream. Now that I have finished my MFT intern hours I am looking for a different job as a recreational therapist where I can have fun with clients. At this point I’m not motivated to even pass the MFT exam because I don’t see myself opening a private practice unless it’s art therapy. But who will pay?
I graduated from an MFT/Art Therapy program in 2003. I have been increasingly disappointed in this “growing field.” As far as I know, not one of the graduates in my cohort is working as an art therapist and they are located all over the country. I have exhaustively pursued opportunities, to the extent that I have been willing to relocate, but they are so few and far between that it feels completely unrealistic. Like BCVC, I have managed to survive due to the MFT component and have been licensed for several years as an MFT. I have used art therapy as a modality where it fits in agency work and in private practice, but am longing for the opportunity to work as an art therapist as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Not only would I advise folks considering art therapy to not pursue it as a degree (especially a stand-alone degree – nearly useless!), I would advise anyone considering graduate school to avoid master’s level therapist programs altogether. Transferring MFT licensure state to state is a nightmare (especially if you are from CA), and in some states, MFT’s are barely recognized and virtually un-hirable. Get your PhD. Or at the very least, LCSW. Or, at the very, very least, make sure your MA program and subsequent internship will make you eligible for both MFT and LPC licensure (not only in your state, but in any state you might move to – the guidelines are sometimes very inconsistant) and become duly licensed. You will be more employable and more universally recognized and you can augment your therapy skills with training in art therapy. When I was a newly-graduated art therapist, I would have really strongly disagreed, however, 8 years and nearly zero job prospects later, I feel that there are far too many programs/graduates for the opportunities available. I still feel extremely passionate about the power of art to heal, but, at some point, making a steady living and getting some return on the time and financial investment matters, too.
Hello,
How is everybody? hope all is well. I have a question, I’m an artist, graduated from School of Visual Arts, BFA in Illustration, worked at Bellevue Hospital, as an Assistant Teacher in their Day Care Center,(both in Manhattan, New York) now unempolyed, laid off! I’m thinking of getting my Masters in Art Therapy. Is there a program, where I can learn to be an art therapist, and get paid? If so, could someone, let me know?
Thank you and have a great day!
I’m working on my undergraduate degree’s now in art and psychology and am going to further pursue art therapy in a master’s program. I was wondering if it is better when looking for a job to have a art therapy masters degree from a regualr college or an online college or if it matters. Also i was wondering if the internship requirment for the masters program is a paid intership. If any one had any information i’d greatly appreciate it!
Thanks
I’m 19 years old, and I’m majoring in Art Therapy at Anna Maria College. I’ve recently started to contemplate whether it’s art therapy I want to major in, or something else. I’m worried that I won’t find a job. I live in Maine, so i’m pretty sure, by the sounds of majority of the comments I’ve read, that I would have to move. Which I don’t really want to do, but am willing. i’ve already completed one year, and feel like I’m stuck in the art field because I don’t want get too far behind. As a 19 year old, soon to be sophomore, I still don’t know what I want to do, and it’s scaring me a lot.. Any advice??
The whole outlook of finding art therapy jobs looks kind of bleak. Upon getting a certification and degree, you are now able to open up your own center, great. Where are you going to get the money to do that?? I think that instead of each individual art therapist trying to do private sessions, they should combine their funds with other art therapists or art teachers to open up a center, rather than just one person trying to make it on their own. That way it would be cheaper, and more helping hands in using the practice, and hopefully bring in more funds. I am still unsure of going to masters for art therapy, since my bf wants to get a masters also at either SVA or Pratt Institute. SO our tuition combined would be $128,000. That money could be a downpayment of a house!
I’m looking into joining the Art Therapy career. What I’ve found so far for what works me is either Wisconsin, Illinois, or Kentucky to complete what is needed. I’m hearing mixed thoughts on if this is a good career move or not and would love more insight. I have already graduated High School and have an Associate’s Degree. Advice?
After seeing the photo, I thought it was hilarious. Art Therapy is underpaid in many places and undervalued. It is true people will pay more for coffee than for art therapy. In my experience many pyschiatrist or other professionals do not see the value in art therapy.
What I do not understand here is the states is why are we unable to get reimbursed – that is the biggest issue, other professions who do similar work get reimbursed – we must as a profession make our case.
I’ve been wondering how common is it to get a job after graduation here in southern california or nyc after completing a degree in art therapy?
I am sorry to hear so many discouraging comments about working in the field of Art Therapy. Yes. Graduate School is expensive and the economy has been tough for the past few years. I would say, IF it is something a person is really drawn to then they will be one of the passionate fortunate ones to find themselves doing what they love. I have found it to open all kinds of doors. I have had many different facets to my career over the past 17 years, but my foundation as a Master’s level Art Therapist has been key.
If anyone would like to contact me about my unique career path as an Art Therpist and more, you are welcome to do so. Exploredotuzomaatgmaildotcom.
I need some advice. I just finished my BA in psychology and would like to go onto a Maters degree in art therapy and counseling. It is a dual degree because Ohio law does not recognize art therapy as a legitaate therapuetic filed. I am hoping that in the near future this will change. However, after reading all of the post on this site I became very discouraged and wondered if I will be making a big mistake by investing so much time and money into a degree that I may never use. From what I understand, as it stands right now, art therapist have to market themselves. I really need some advice. Should I get a degree in something else? Those of you working in Ohio, what has it been like? The school I would be attending (Ursuline) tells us the market isn’t great out here but the school has a 99% internship rate. Help. What should I do???
Nancy,
I feel your pain when it comes to deciding whether the degree is worth the time and money. I have a Master’s degree in Art Therapy from Florida State University, which I paid approximately $55,000 for out-of-state tuition. Do I feel that the education was worth it? Most Definitely. Is my income comparable to the debt I have acquired? No.
The best advice that I can give you would be to be honest with yourself. If you have no intention of becoming a licensed Art Therapist or in participating to further legislature or research initiatives for the field, this may not be your best option.
Art Therapy is not a cake walk. You spend a significant amount of time validating yourself (with the help of your art therapy friends:) and encouraging others to be art therapy advocates. A 99% internship rate is wonderful, but this is not an employement rate.
As Art Therapists, we often find ourselves having to carve out positions within organizatons that are open to the benefits of Art Therapy. It requires a lot of self-marketing and self-care on our part.
It’s a wonderful career path, if you are willing to putin the work.
Good Luck on your search!!
Hi everyone !
Well i’ve read the comments posted on here, I have to say I’m kind of disappointed because of the job search after getting your degree. I have been really undecided with what to do in the future. What really bothers me is science. Science and I tend to not click together. I love the arts though. I love drawing so much and I love kids. Many have suggested I be a teacher, but that’s not something I really want. I like Art Therapy it grabs my attention, and I also like pediatric Physiotherapy. I guess I would like some reassuring that Art therapy is a good career. That it’s worth all the money and all the time. Most of the comments I read here weren’t so reassuring, and that got me a little too upset. But if anybody has any comments about my little trouble , please feel free to comment/ help me .
my e-mail is smhmelliex3@hotmail.com
thank you !!
Hi, everyone!
I have read all comments here, which made me realized that an art therapy career might not be very popular. That’s what concerns me so far.
I am planning to attend John F. Kennedy University, Pleasant Hills, CA for a second master in MFT, specialized in expressive arts. But, I felt like that I wasted my time studying though out-of-state online university. I have a first Master of Science in general psychology. I was supposed to take instership program but there was none of MFT intership programs for me, I felt like I am too old to start over again.
Is it so worth if I start over again?
I really want to be a registerd art therapist, I found one university, Belmont, California. They told me that I can take post-master of arts in art therapy. I told them that I dont have any prequities for art therapy. They offer that there are prequities available for me before getting in post-master program. So what do you think?
For art therapy career, I want to work with disabled people and veterans of military in the art studio on my own business. So it’s pretty challenge for me. If I own my business for art therapy and growing fast, i would consider to hire some art therapists. However, I cannot predict the future yet.
So, should I go to JFKU to start over again for MFT in expressive arts or go to Norte Dame University to complete post-master?
Hopefully, you can give me some advices.
Thank you!
Hi, I was just wondering, I know a lot of schools offer an MA in Art Therapy, which allows you to become licensed as a counselor or/as well as an Art Therapist…
one of the schools I really want to apply to only offers an MPS (Master of Professional Studies)… does anyone know if an MPS in Art Therapy offers this option as well…
I ask as I really want to be a serious Art Therapist, but if the job market is slim I’d also like to be able to work as a counselor until I found an Art Therapy job
Hey everyone!
I am almost finished with my BS in art and am really interested in art therapy. I love art, psychology, children, and helping people. I am thinking of attending Marlyhurst in Oregon and gettIng a MA in art therapy. I am really sad to read all the negative comments about art therapy and am really starting to rethink my career choice. I feel kind of lost right now…any advice? Also, how is the job market in Florida? Please send me an email about your experiences or advice! I’d really appreciate it.
Mekey21@gmail.com
I have felt both the negativity and the passion that has been commented on throughout this discussion. I am currently enrolled in a Master’s program of art therapy and I wish to express the indescribable benefits of being an art therapist. Yes, the job market is extremely tough, but if you have the passion, you will find a way.
At my current internship site, I began an art therapy program. My supervisor is a clinical psychologist who was open to art therapy. Throughout our supervision hours, he has come to truly appreciate the depth of therapy that can be accomplished through the art-making process. My supervisor suggested that I meet with the center director to obtain a job once I graduate.
So yes, it will be very difficult. But the reward greatly outweighs the challenges.