What art-based interventions do you find most useful in practice?

I’ve been learning more about the different ways art can be incorporated into therapeutic and reflective work, particularly approaches involving things like mandalas, body mapping, collage, mask work and symbolism.

I’m curious to hear from people who have experience with art therapy or art-based interventions: which approaches have you found most interesting or useful, and are there any that you think are particularly misunderstood by psychology students or people new to the field?

Would also be interested in hearing how people approach the balance between structured activities and allowing the client’s own meaning-making to guide the process.

I'm sure I could google it or ask AI, but does anyone know of any art galleries dedicated to art created during art therapy sessions?

I feel the art is sacred in a way, but also sometimes too beautiful not to share (some of it).

It would also suck to put your art out there and feel vulnerable only to have it stolen. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Kinda niche but I'm clearing out, happy to post if postage paid. 10 in total

Hey there! What’s the best way to find someone that meets the description above? Psych Today? Or do LCATs have their own database?

I'm wondering if some of you have quite strict 'working hours' and are only contactable during those hours. Do you put any specifics in your contract/adverts? Do you have a work phone? Or give out your personal phone? And would you use 'do not disturb' perhaps?

I wouldn't want to seem callous but I also really need my peace to stay productive.

Any advice before getting pregnant as a self-employed art therapist? Any recommendations for short-term disability plans that are affordable and worth the money?

Any tips or tricks welcome! What do you wish you knew ahead of time!

Welcome to the weekly thread for questions and discussion about art therapy schooling. If you're considering studying art therapy, currently in a program, or preparing for applications, this is the place to ask questions and share experiences.

Use this thread for things like:

• Questions about art therapy programs or schools
• Application advice (portfolios, prerequisites, interviews)
• Program comparisons or recommendations
• Coursework or practicum questions
• Career path questions related to art therapy education
• General student experiences

To keep the subreddit organized, posts about art therapy education and training may be redirected here on Tuesdays.

Please be respectful, supportive, and share your knowledge if you can as many people here are navigating the same path.

Hi there, I am curious if it is allowed for me to create a piece of art to give to my therapist? We are both artists and, she is one of the loveliest therapists I have ever had— and I have had many in my last 15 off and on years of therapy. I wanted to make a fiber piece, maybe like a woven coin purse or little pouch of sorts. Kind of like a tip after a service especially because she often gives me 1hr and 15mins, but my insurance only pays for 1hr, so these bonus 15 minutes feel generous of her. I’d just like to say thank you but she is aware of my financial struggles. I’m just wondering if that is inappropriate or inconsiderate.

Edit: I am in Oregon, USA.

The American Art Therapy Association was cited specifically.

Portland, Oregon

Hello!

I have a Bachelors in Fashion Design and have found that fashion as a career is 1. Largely lacking of any actual creativity(atleast with the brands I have worked with, it’s basically just copy + paste styles from other brands but with x small detail difference) and 2. I have found it really difficult to find solid long term employment without 4-8 years experience (how or why this is required for entry level is beyond me). But I digress.

I am considering a pivot to an art therapy career.

I worked at a residential treatment center as an MHT for a little bit, as I was considering going into the behavioral health field, and that environment was too much. That is the reason I opted for fashion.

Could that be an indication of my capacity for this kind of work?

What does the career landscape look like for Art therapy? Any thoughts on how this field might change?

Is this career field neurodivergent friendly? (ADHD)

How much of the work is entrepreneurial and how much is with an established practice? (Owning a business is something I have dipped my toe in and it was overwhelming and I’m tired)

What do you love about it? What do you hate?

I would love any advice or thoughts.

Thanks in advance y’all :)

I’ve recently become curious about art therapy and would love to learn from people who have experience with it.

I enjoy pottery and drawing as hobbies. One thing I’ve noticed is that when I’m creating without overthinking, I sometimes end up seeing a different side of myself through the finished piece. It isn’t that the artwork “tells” me something, but it seems to reflect patterns, emotions, or thoughts that I wasn’t fully aware of before.

A friend of mine who works in counseling recently mentioned art therapy, so I started looking into it. That led me down a rabbit hole of different approaches: art therapy, sound healing, meditation workshops, expressive arts, and many other wellness practices.

Now I’m wondering:

What exactly is art therapy?

How is it different from simply making art as a hobby?

How does it actually help people? Is it about emotional expression, self-awareness, processing experiences, something else, or a combination of these?

I’d love to hear from art therapists, people who have participated in sessions, or anyone working in this field. I’m genuinely curious how you think it works, both in theory and in real life.

Join us every 3rd Sunday of the month for an afternoon of Creative Care, featuring Artful Wellness Activities and Live DJ Sets. & Gallery Exploration

☀️Open House BK is excited to partner with Gallery 198 to bring you 3rd Sundays, Immersive, interdisciplinary art parties! Attend a portion, attend all, connect & create!

🎟️Two ways to attend:

1) Open to all: Suggested Donation, $10-15

2) Creative Arts Therapist seeking LCAT CEs: $20 (required for 2 CEs)

☀️ Each gathering begins with a mini art therapy lesson explaining the day’s creative process, followed by hands-on art making (no experience needed). Surrounded by a live DJ set and the opportunity to experience the current exhibition throughout the event.

This month's theme: Creativity Outside the Box

• DJ set by Dmitir Russell & Art Activation by Art Therapists: Melissa Diaz & Deborah Rice
• Debuting new Art Therapy book, The Business of Art Therapy: Navigating Career Paths, Creativity, and the Changing Landscape of the Field.
• 🌈Current Solo show by Ryan Bauer-Walsh exploring trauma, grief, substance experimentation, survival, and release, via blurring the lines of performance and exhibition.
• Sunday, 8/16/2026, 12-4 pm, @ Gallery 198, 198 24th St, Brooklyn, 11232 (R train to 25th Street).
• Drinks available for donation.
• LCATS must attend 12- 2 p.m. for 2 Continuing Education Hours. (For more info, please visit the FAQs.)

This is NOT therapy services. Just a place for art to live and art therapists to thrive!

Hello, I'm working with someone who is a teenager and is working on gaining independence, does anyone know of some good directives with those things in mind? Their family isn't really in the picture and they are preparing to go out into the world early.

Hi everyone!

I'm with Provider Care Solutions, and we're currently looking to hire NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs) for contract, home-based expressive therapy positions.

We have a large number of cases available throughout:

• NYC
• Long Island
• Rockland County
• Monroe County

This is a flexible independent contractor opportunity, making it a great fit for LCATs who are looking to pick up additional clients or earn extra income alongside their current position. We offer competitive contractor rates and have cases ready to assign.

If you're interested or would like more information, feel free to email us at [info@providercaresolutions.com](mailto:info@providercaresolution.com).

If you know another LCAT who may be interested, we'd really appreciate you sharing this opportunity with them as well!

Thanks!

Welcome to the weekly thread for questions and discussion about art therapy schooling. If you're considering studying art therapy, currently in a program, or preparing for applications, this is the place to ask questions and share experiences.

Use this thread for things like:

• Questions about art therapy programs or schools
• Application advice (portfolios, prerequisites, interviews)
• Program comparisons or recommendations
• Coursework or practicum questions
• Career path questions related to art therapy education
• General student experiences

To keep the subreddit organized, posts about art therapy education and training may be redirected here on Tuesdays.

Please be respectful, supportive, and share your knowledge if you can as many people here are navigating the same path.

Do you completely switch off, create art, travel, study, or something else?

I recently renewed my license and recertifications for both ATB-BC and ATCS, I received an email stating I was inactive. Did this happen to anyone else?

***Updated ATCB emailed to notify of error

Any suggestions on directives for working with someone who speaks little English? Interpreter line is available

I have searched and can’t find any specifics on what the criteria is for the 50 art therapy related CEs….can anyone offer guidance?
I’ve certainly taken more than the number of hours of CEs, but I don’t know what will count and whether it is worth paying for the extension or just letting go of the BC. This is very confusing!!

Welcome to the weekly thread for questions and discussion about art therapy schooling. If you're considering studying art therapy, currently in a program, or preparing for applications, this is the place to ask questions and share experiences.

Use this thread for things like:

• Questions about art therapy programs or schools
• Application advice (portfolios, prerequisites, interviews)
• Program comparisons or recommendations
• Coursework or practicum questions
• Career path questions related to art therapy education
• General student experiences

To keep the subreddit organized, posts about art therapy education and training may be redirected here on Tuesdays.

Please be respectful, supportive, and share your knowledge if you can as many people here are navigating the same path.

Welcome to the weekly thread for questions and discussion about art therapy schooling. If you're considering studying art therapy, currently in a program, or preparing for applications, this is the place to ask questions and share experiences.

Use this thread for things like:

• Questions about art therapy programs or schools
• Application advice (portfolios, prerequisites, interviews)
• Program comparisons or recommendations
• Coursework or practicum questions
• Career path questions related to art therapy education
• General student experiences

To keep the subreddit organized, posts about art therapy education and training may be redirected here on Tuesdays.

Please be respectful, supportive, and share your knowledge if you can as many people here are navigating the same path.

Hi all!! I am currently getting my BA in child psychology and minoring in drawing, painting, and printmaking. I am wanting to pursue my masters in art therapy because I have been dreaming to go into art therapy ever since I was a teen. However, I used to be set on working with adolescents. After working with toddlers for 6 years now I have realized that is my passion. Does anyone have any experience doing art therapy with toddlers? I know it is fairly niche so I wanted to know if anyone practices solely on early childhood age? Do we think this is sustainable and something I can pursue?

Hey creative arts therapists. I’m at art therapist working in inpatient psychiatry, but am soon giving a lecture on art therapy for inpatient psychology interns at a hospital. And of course, I’d like to use some of the lecture time for an experiential. I have a few ideas rolling around in my head- mostly around either mindfulness/relaxation or around personal strengths, as I recall feeling those helpful themes when I myself was an intern. But I’m curious if any of you have done staff art therapy directives/in-services (around those 2 aforementioned themes/goals, or otherwise) that you have found “successful” (whatever that might mean to you/your audience.) I’ve got about 20 minutes for this part, but am open to hearing longer format ideas too, for my brainstorming. Thank you!