American Art Therapy Association
Advancing art therapy as a regulated mental health profession and building a community that supports art therapists throughout their careers.
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!
Upcoming…
All-Member Meeting, Nov. 21, 8pm ET, including the 2024 AATA Awards Presentation and Member Memorial Service. For AATA Members only.
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 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.
DEI Education
Attend CEU-eligible courses on DEI, including “On the DEI Journey with Cultural Humility in the Art Therapy Profession.”
Trending…
How to Claim your CE Credit from AATA2024 Annual Conference
Step-by-Step Instructions for the In-Person and Virtual Conferences
2024 Member Art Exhibit
This year, we invited AATA Members to share their artwork related to our AATA2024 conference theme, Building Bridges.
Streamlining the Advocacy Process
The AATA Professional Affairs Committee has just finished drafting AATA’s first official piece of sample legislation.
- 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
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.