Art Therapists

Key Responsibilities

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