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, Feb 26, 8pm ET. For AATA Members only.
Join us and meet AATA’s new Board Members!
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.


Honoring
Black History Month
This February, AATA is offering an inspiring virtual Continuing Education session, Black History Continues – The Future of the Field, at no cost to all AATA Members.
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…

Top 10 Posts from 2024
Check out our most read articles from last year, including blog posts from AATA members!

2024 Member Art Exhibit
This year, we invited AATA Members to share their artwork related to our AATA2024 conference theme, Building Bridges.

New Year, New Opportunities for the Art Therapy Profession
By AATA President Nadia Paredes
- 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.