Art Therapists
Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients' physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.
SOC: 29-1129.01
Common Job Titles
- Art Psychotherapist
- Art Therapist
- Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC)
- Registered Art Therapist (ATR)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- KnowledgeSynthesize psychological theory, fine arts techniques, and sociocultural factors to develop evidence-based art therapy interventions for diverse clinical presentations.Advanced
- KnowledgeDesign therapeutic art programs and session plans that address specific cognitive, emotional, or physical treatment objectives in clinical or community settings.Advanced
- KnowledgeCompose comprehensive clinical documentation and case notes adhering to regulatory and ethical standards for confidentiality and professional practice.Advanced
- KnowledgeEvaluate clients' emotional, cognitive, and physical responses to art-making processes in therapeutic settings, integrating knowledge of psychology and therapy principles.Proficient
- MindsetIntegrate therapeutic goals with creative art interventions when designing individualized treatment plans for diverse client populations.Proficient
- KnowledgeAssess client progress and treatment effectiveness through ongoing monitoring and documentation of behavioral and emotional changes.Proficient
- MindsetAdvocate for client-centered care principles while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.Proficient
- Hands-onDemonstrate mastery of diverse art media and techniques when facilitating individual and group therapy sessions across multiple therapeutic modalities.Proficient
- MindsetBalance empathic engagement with professional boundaries when establishing and maintaining therapeutic relationships with clients experiencing complex emotional needs.Proficient
- KnowledgeInterpret symbolic content and meaning in client artwork applying knowledge of art processes, cultural contexts, and psychological frameworks.Proficient
- Hands-onOperate digital imaging and creative software tools including Adobe Creative Cloud applications, to support therapeutic activities and documentation.Developing
- MindsetRespond to crisis situations and emotional dysregulation with culturally sensitive interventions that prioritize client safety and therapeutic rapport.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Art Therapists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
19,320
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $38,840. 25th percentile: U.S. $49,510. 50th percentile: U.S. $65,010. 75th percentile: U.S. $85,010. 90th percentile: U.S. $120,050. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $38,840 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $120,050 |
| Workers on average earn | $73,800 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Therapy and Counseling5.0/5
- Psychology5.0/5
- Fine Arts4.6/5
- Sociology and Anthropology4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Trimble SketchUp Pro
- Zoom
Technology Skills
- Appointment scheduling software
- Autodesk Maya
- Case management software
- Image databases
- Web browser software
Tools & Equipment
- 35 millimeter cameras
- Artists' easels
- Artists' paintbrushes
- Artists' scissors
- Circle cutters
- Computer data input scanners
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital camcorders