American Art Therapy Association

Advancing art therapy as a regulated mental health profession and building a community that supports art therapists throughout their careers.

mobile-app-illustrations-flexile-7
mobile-app_60
Flexile Mobile

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy uses active art-making, the creative process, and applied psychological theory—within a psychotherapeutic relationship—to enrich the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

Find an Art Therapist

Art therapists are mental health clinicians with Master’s degrees or higher that serve clients in different settings—from medical institutions and schools, to wellness centers and independent practices.

Join Our Community

With our members, AATA has been the leading voice for art therapy for more than 50 years, advocating for the profession, supporting the next generation of art therapists, and advancing mental health for everyone.
Become a member today!

AATA’S 55th Annual Conference

Join us Oct. 6 – 9
in Pittsburgh!

AATA’s Conference Committee is creating customizable paths of world-class educational programming. Early Bird discounted registration opens in April!

Celebrating Creative Arts Therapies Week

Creative Arts Therapists are mental health professionals who use arts-based interventions and creative processes for optimizing mental health and wellness. They are trained and credentialed according to their distinct profession and each Creative Arts Therapy field is governed by a separate professional association with a unique scope of practice.

Job seekers can confidentially post resumes, search current job listings, and get job alerts via email—for free! Employers can post art therapy jobs and review applicant resumes all in one place.

AATA offers a variety of advertising and sponsorship opportunities to help companies and organizations—from graduate programs and professional services to art-supply makers—market to the largest audience of credentialed art therapists and art therapy students.

AATA Online Learning Academy

Earn Continuing Education credits by taking virtual courses taught by some of the world’s leading experts and practitioners in art therapy. Check out our updated and redesigned platform, featuring more than 420 courses, which AATA offers virtually, both live and
on-demand.

Advocacy

Together with our chapters and members, AATA advocates for the profession, the communities art therapists serve, and mental health care for everyone. 

Supporting Art Therapy Licensure

Achieving art therapy licensure is a core part of AATA’s mission. Find out more about how licensure helps protect the public from harm and fraud; and provides title and practice protection for art therapists.

Advancing Mental Health

AATA prioritizes mental health policies—particularly for the communities art therapists serve—and access to mental health care, partnering with other mental health, arts, and education organizations.

Becoming an Advocate

Anyone can advocate for better access to art therapy, improved mental health, the arts, and more! Join us!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Strategic Plan

Learn how DEI is incorporated in AATA’s 2021 – 2023 Strategic Plan.

Scholarship

Student and professional members are encouraged to apply for research and education scholarships.

DEI Report

Read the findings from the 2021 DEI Listening Sessions and online survey.

Trending…

Honoring African-American Art Therapy Pioneers

This Black History Month and year round, we honor the contributions of African-Americans to the field of art therapy and to the Association.

Representing Art Therapy in a Convening on Arts + Health

This first-of-its-kind convening brought together policymakers, arts advocates, and artists to collaborate on how art can contribute to the health and well-being of communities.

Introducing Art Therapy Barbie!

AATA hopes Art Therapy Barbie will give parents and caregivers an opportunity to talk about mental health with kids and explore the power of art-making in wellness.

  • A Master’s degree is necessary to practice art therapy.
  • Coursework includes training in the creative process, psychological development, group therapy, psycho-diagnostics, research methods, and multicultural diversity competence.
  • Art therapy students also must complete 600 hours of supervised clinical internship.

Featured Members

The American Art Therapy Association represents a diversity of professionals, students, and educators. We recognize and celebrate the work of our members at all levels through our Featured Member series.

Newsletter Sign-Up

Sign up for Art Therapy Today, the newsletter of the American Art Therapy Association. Art Therapy Today includes blog posts written by AATA members, news articles related to art therapy, and important updates about the profession—curated especially for you.

Homepage credits:
“Family Reunion,” by Franchesca Lastra Vicente. Acrylic on paper. 2012.

Loading...