Misconceptions about art therapy from health and mental health professionals, as well as the general public tend to fall into one of several categories:  

• Education: Claims about our education tend to be based on assumption, rather than fact. Art therapists are trained at the master’s level, which entails 60 credit hours and 700 hours of practicum. The standards of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education offer many of the same stringent requirements as other similar councils. The Art Therapy Credentials Board ensures ongoing continuing education in order to maintain the board-certified credential. 

• Technique, Not a Profession: There are those who believe that art therapy is not a profession, but rather a technique to use with clients. This idea comes from a misunderstanding that art therapy is only a series of art directives. What makes us unique is that we are consistently assessing and responding to clients in art making based on psychological theories and principles of the therapeutic alliance.

• Restricting Art Making: Some professionals feel that an art therapy license would limit their own ability to utilize art making and art materials within their mental health, occupational, or rehabilitation work. The license only restricts the term "art therapy" to those who have been uniquely trained in the full integration of psychotherapeutic and creative processes. This is similar to the way that the term "professional counseling" is limited to those with a defined skill set. In other examples, there are marriage and family therapists who work solely with individuals, clinical social workers who provide psychotherapy, counselors who utilize psychosocial assessments, and psychologists who work with families. We encourage others who have a command of the creative process to offer art in their clinical work, but to describe their work accurately to clients. 

• Assessment and Diagnosis: Another misconception is that art therapists are not properly trained in diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral problems and should not be considered as competent to engage in diagnosis and treatment.  As is evident from the education standards, art therapists receive comparable training to clinical counselors and marriage and family therapists in these areas. These areas include recognition of psychological, cognitive, and behavioral problems and disorders that are categorized in standard diagnostic nomenclature, as well as when to refer to other health and mental health professionals.   

• Job Market Saturation: Some have argued that the mental health world already has enough practitioners. There is no limit to pain, suffering, and challenges in the world. Different approaches and expertise are needed for different people at different moments in their lives. Art therapists have always worked as partners in interdisciplinary teams and will continue to do so to support the needs of clients, families, and communities in conjunction with other health and mental health professionals. A professional license allows art therapists to work in greater concert with others to identify and engage those who may not traditionally access mental health services and provide protection for clients.

MINNESOTA ART THERAPY LICENSURE COALITION – VERSION 12.16.2024