AT Outline - IV. Settings & V. Certification

IV. Settings Art Therapy is Suited For

A) Adolescents with learning disabilities. (Kahn, ¶ 4)
B) Clients with an inability to express themselves verbally. (Shoemaker, p. 3)
C) Clients with an inability to express difficult feelings such as anger, grief, despair, depression or bizarre fantasy. (Shoemaker, p. 3)
D) If the client is out of touch with emotions and acting out. (Shoemaker, p. 3)
E) If a client is over-intellectualized and out of touch with the significance of irrational actions.
(Shoemaker, p. 3)
F) If a patient has insufficient insight and a low self-esteem to support reflection on unpleasant aspects of himself. (Shoemaker, p. 3)

V. Certification as an Art Therapist

A. Voluntary certification through the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) and not
equivalent to a state license or credential.
1) ATR - Registered Art Therapist
2) ATR-BC - Board Certified Registered Art Therapist

B. General Expectations
1) Responsible for knowing and following federal and state laws regarding licensing or
certification of human service/mental health practitioners.
2) Check their own federal and state laws and regulations to learn whether there are state
imposed restrictions on how art therapists may advertise, practice, or otherwise
represent themselves to the public.

C. Three Options for meeting ATR Educational Requirements
1) A master’s degree in Art Therapy from a program approved at the time of your
graduation by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) Educational Program
Approval Board.
2) A master’s degree in Art Therapy from a program not approved at the time of your
graduation by the AATA Educational Program Approval Board.
3) A master’s degree in a related field and additional graduate coursework in Art
Therapy.

D. Other Requirements for an ATR Certification
1) At least 3 references
2) Application Form from Adopted Revised Standards and Application Procedures for
Registration. Effective Date July 1, 2003 - The American Art Therapy Association
3) Verification of Coursework
4) Verification of Practicum
5) Verification of Experience

E. Board Certification
1) Must be an ATR in good standing.
2) Pass the Board Certification Examination
3) Recertification is required every five years.
4) Candidates must maintain documentation verifying completion of 100 continuing
education credits within the past five years in the following areas:
a) Psychological and Psychotherapeutic Theories and Practice
b) Art Therapy Assessment
c) Art Therapy Theory and Practice
d) Client Populations
e) Art Therapy and Media
f) Professionalism, Ethics, and Multiculturalism