American Art Therapy Association (AATA)

Description

The American Art Therapy Association is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in art making is healing and life enhancing. The Association is composed of a network of 36 statewide Chapters, more than 5,000 practicing art therapists, students, educators, and related practitioners in the United States and around the world. It is governed by an 11-member Board elected by the membership.

Member benefits

Publications:
Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association
Newsletter
Membership directory, professional literature, monographs, and books
Case studies, outcome research, and bibliography

Meetings & Educational Opportunities:
Annual conference
Regional symposia throughout the US
Continuing education opportunities

Therapist Locator

Mission / Aims

The American Art Therapy Association's mission is to serve its members and the general public by providing standards of professional competence, and developing and promoting knowledge in, and of, the field of art therapy.

Every year, art therapists reach more than a million people who need help in unlocking the issues that restrict their lives. Art therapy helps people express their problems through art which can then be facilitated by a trained professional and the healing can begin.

Principal activities

The American Art Therapy Association promotes the therapeutic use of art by:

Encouraging the highest quality of art therapy services to the public;
Facilitating communication among members and colleagues;
Supporting legislative efforts at the state and federal levels;
Disseminating information to the general public, art therapists, and related mental health professionals; and,
Recognizing excellence in clinical, professional, educational, and research activities.

Training / Licensing / Certification

The American Art Therapy Association provides expanded professional development opportunities through online courses that help art therapists earn continuing education credits, assist in keeping credentials current, and increase knowledge of the field.

No licensing or professional certification is provided by the Association. That is accomplished through individual state licensure boards in the US and the Art Therapy Credentials Board.

Additional information

Art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life-enhancing. Through creating art and talking about art and the process of art making with an art therapist, one can increase awareness of self, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of artistic creativity.  

Art therapists are professionals trained in both art and therapy and hold a masters degree in art therapy or a related field. Art therapists work with children, adolescents, and adults and provide services to individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities. They often work as part of clinical teams, in settings that include mental health, rehabilitation, medical and forensic institutions, community outreach programs, wellness centers, schools, and nursing homes.

Affiliations

We are member of:

Health Professionals Network

National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapists

National Pupil Services Organization

Society for the Arts in Healthcare