Art Therapists

Art therapists use creative expression to help individuals heal and improve their well-being. On a daily basis, these professionals focus on assisting and caring for others by building strong interpersonal relationships and gathering client information. They must think creatively to design tailored therapy plans, make decisions to solve problems, and document client progress.

Success in this role requires a strong social orientation, empathy, and cooperation. Therapists rely on key skills like active listening, social perceptiveness, and critical thinking to understand their clients' needs. They must combine deep knowledge of psychology, counseling, and fine arts with an understanding of sociology and customer service. This career is highly suited for individuals with strong social interests who value sincerity, dependability, and adaptability in a clinical or community setting.

To enter this career, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education. However, extensive preparation is common, and most professionals in the field need a graduate degree, such as a master's degree, PhD, MD, or JD. Students often prepare by majoring in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions, or movement and mind-body therapies and education.

Depending on where they practice, professionals may need to obtain a license, as some states list licensing requirements for this work. Relevant certifications in the broader therapeutic field include the Board Certified Trainer credential from the North American Drama Therapy Association. Practitioners in this field are known by various titles, including registered art therapists, clinical art therapists, and creative arts therapists.

The median yearly wage for art therapists is $77,930, though this figure represents the broader occupational group of all other therapists. Within this group, the lowest 10% of earners make less than $46,540, while the highest 10% earn more than $152,530.

There are 22,640 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 12.6%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in 3,600 job openings each year.