Art+Therapy

Introduction:
Art therapy is a type of counseling that provides the client with encouragement to show and gain an understanding of emotions through their artistic abilities. Throughout history, humans have unknowingly expressed themselves with art therapy in a wide variety of ways. The use of costumes, masks, pottery, cave paintings and hieroglyphics are just a few examples of those methods. As of recently, art therapy has been expanded to more than just a handful of categories. Now, people use all different sorts of artistic tools to represent themselves. Paintings, sketches, photography and sculpting are just a few of the more modern types. This type of therapy is one of the only ones that have survived the test of time. (Ford-Martin, 2009)



Purposes:
- Self-discovery. Art therapy relieves emotional tension and stress. - Personal fulfillment. When goals are met and they can be visually measured, it conjures up feelings of self-worth. - Empowerment. Art therapy helps people express themselves in ways that words cannot, as well as give them a sense of control and power over their feelings. - Relaxation and stress relief. Chronic stress is harmful to both the mind and the body, and art therapy is a way to eliminate such problems. - Symptom relief and physical rehabilitation. Art therapy is effective in helping patients cope with pain. It promotes physiological healing when patients are able to correctly recognize and work through anger, resentment and other emotional stressors. For this reason, it’s often prescribed to chronically and terminally ill patients. (Ford-Martin, 2009)

Creative Art Therapist, in a Children’s Hospital[[image:gizzisgoodies/GroupArtTherapy_0.jpg width="337" height="225" align="right"]]
-Requires knowledge of the expressive arts therapies normally acquired through the completion of a baccalaureate degree in music therapy or master's degree in art therapy, drama therapy, dance/movement therapy, or poetry therapy with one to three years of experience in child life or equivalent position. -Must be able to work in a team (Job.com, 2011)

Director of Arts and Wellness
-Requires a Graduate Degree (Careerbuilder.com, 2011)

Expressive Art Therapist in a Psychiatric Hospital
-Requires a Masters Degree in Creative Arts Therapy <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-At least 3 years direct Clinical Experience <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Currently part time, potential to become part time <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Ability to work independently with patients (Careerbuilder.com, 2011)

<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">Bereavement Counselor in a Grief Counseling Center
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Requires a Master’s Degree in an accredited program of Expressive Art Therapy, or other therapy/psychology related course <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Requires professional license or certification <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Minimum 1 year experience in counseling, expressive therapy, or counseling of bereaved persons <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Experience in group facilitation and process preferred (Careerbuilder.com, 2011) <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif'; font-size: 15px;">Art Therapists earn, on average, $40-$70k a year

<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">Art Therapist for outpatient substance abuse treatment center
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Masters degree preferred <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Must have Knowledge of addiction, alcoholism,12-step recovery, and/or mental health treatment <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Computers and Communication skills required <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">-Competitive salary and excellent benefits (Careerbuilder.com, 2011)

==**<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">Schools that offer art therapy: **== <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">Wayne State University in Michigan, Ursuline College in Ohio and School of Visual Arts all offer extensive art therapy courses. (Art Therapy Blog, 2011) <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB grants the designation ATR (Art Therapist Registered) to professionals who have completed an approved master's level program of study in art therapy (as described by the AATA) and have accumulated at least 1,000 hours of additional supervised clinical experience. Board certification is also available through the ATCB for art therapists who have met the ATR requirements and have passed a certification exam (ATR-BC). Art therapists with the ATR-BC designation must complete continuing education credits to maintain their certification. (Ford-Martin, 2009) This is not legal qualification to practice, but an acknowledgement of the hard work and expertise of the person.
 * Further recognition:**

In conclusion...
Art therapy is very beneficial to all sorts of people, and has been since before civilization. The use of this type of therapy has come a long way since, and will continue to keep spawning in new ways and ideas. Ultimately, it's a very practical and effective way to release negative emotions and express feelings and thoughts in a way that words cannot.