American Art Therapy Association (AATA)

Overview:

Profession(s): Art Therapy
Scope: National - United States
Formed: 1969
Members: 4,300
Address: 1202 Allanson Road, Mundelein, IL, 60060, USA
Phone: 888-290-0878
Website: www.arttherapy.org

Description:

The AATA is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in art making is healing and life enhancing, Its 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. The AATA is a national, non-profit association representing approximately 4500 members. It is governed by an 11-member Board elected by the membership and more than 30 AATA Regional Chapters conduct meetings and activities that promote art therapy on the local level.

Principal Activities:

The AATA 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.
Recognizing excellence in clinical, professional, educational, and research activities.

Member Benefits:

Publications:
Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association
AATA Newsletter
Membership directory, professional literature, monographs, and books

Meetings & Educational Opportunities
Annual AATA Conference in November of each year
Regional Symposia throughout the US
Continuing education opportunities

Training/Licensing/Certification:

None - That is accomplished through individual state licensure boards in the US.

Affiliations:

Associations to which we are a member:
National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapists
Health Professionals Network
National Pupil Services Organization
Society for the Arts in Healthcare

Verification Criteria:

Educational Requirements: One must complete the required core curriculum as outlined in the AATA Education Standards to qualify as a professional art therapist. Entry into the profession of art therapy is at the master's level. Avenues of completion offered by graduate level art therapy programs include:

A Master's degree in art therapy
A Master's degree with an emphasis in art therapy
Twenty-four (24) semester units in art therapy with a Master's degree in a related field

Contact the AATA National Office for more information concerning educational requirements and programs.

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; nursing homes; corporate structures; art studios; and independent practices.  Art therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, clay, and other mediums) for treatment and assessment and conduct research as well as provide consultations to allied professionals.