About Art Therapy

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art materials, such as paints, chalk and markers. Art therapy combines traditional psychotherapeutic theories and techniques with an understanding of the psychological aspects of the creative process, especially the affective properties of the different art materials.
As a mental health profession, art therapy is employed in many clinical settings with diverse populations. Art therapy can be found in non-clinical settings such as art studios and workshops that focus on personal growth and creative development. Closely related in practice to marriage and family  or mental health counseling, art therapists throughout the US are often licensed as either Marriage and Family therapists or Licensed Professional Counselors. In addition they are registered and/or board certification as an art therapist. In the USA and many other countries, art therapists work with children, adolescents, adults, families and groups.