Career Details
Career Details
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Career Details
29-1129.01 - Art Therapists
29-1129.01 - Art Therapists
Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients' physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.
Key Facts

Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
24,700
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
30,500
Estimate
Change in Employment
+5,800
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+23.6%
Estimate
Tasks

Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
- Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of treatments or therapy approaches.
- Analyze or synthesize client data to draw conclusions or make recommendations for art therapy.
- Assess client needs or disorders, using drawing, painting, sculpting, or other artistic processes.
- Communicate client assessment findings and recommendations in oral, written, audio, video, or other forms.
- Conduct art therapy sessions, providing guided self-expression experiences to help clients recover from, or cope with, cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments.
- Confer with other professionals on client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.
- Customize art therapy programs for specific client populations, such as those in schools, nursing homes, wellness centers, prisons, shelters, or hospitals.
- Design art therapy sessions or programs to meet client's goals or objectives.
- Develop individualized treatment plans that incorporate studio art therapy, counseling, or psychotherapy techniques.
- Establish goals or objectives for art therapy sessions in consultation with clients or site administrators.
- Instruct individuals or groups in the use of art media, such as paint, clay, or yarn.
- Interpret the artistic creations of clients to assess their functioning, needs, or progress.
- Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to art therapy.
- Talk with clients during art or other therapy sessions to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to the artistic process.
- Write treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
- Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops for other professionals, potential client groups, or the general community.
- Gather client information from sources such as case documentation, client observation, or interviews of client or family members.
- Recommend or purchase needed art supplies or equipment.
- Review research or literature in art therapy, psychology, or related disciplines.
- Select or prepare artistic media or related equipment or devices to accomplish therapy session objectives.
- Supervise staff, volunteers, practicum students, or interns.
- Teach art therapy techniques or processes to artists, interns, volunteers, or others.
Supplemental
- Photograph or videotape client artwork for inclusion in client records or for promotional purposes.
- Coordinate art showcases to display artwork produced by clients.
- Coordinate field trips for client groups to museums or other public displays of art.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge

Knowledge
The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools

Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology

Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications

Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific certifications are listed for this career
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing

Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
