How to Become an Art Therapist in California

Art therapy could be your path to a rewarding career that pays $67,299 annually, according to Glassdoor Salaries data. This fulfilling profession lets you blend creative expression with therapeutic techniques to help others heal.

Mental health care needs have risen sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data shows 47% of art therapists had to turn away more clients than before. The timing couldn’t be better to get your art therapist qualifications. This piece will guide you through the steps you need, whether you want to learn about California’s certification requirements, master’s programs, or degree options.

Research proves art therapy works well against depression, anxiety, and existentialism. The career outlook looks promising too. Related therapeutic fields should grow by 4% through 2032. Your earnings could range from $45,000 to $65,000 with proper California licensing. Working in educational settings might even boost your annual wages to $77,710.

This detailed guide covers everything about becoming a qualified art therapist in California. You’ll learn about education requirements, certification processes, and career opportunities.

What Does an Art Therapist Do?

Art therapists combine creativity with psychological principles to help clients express themselves and heal through art. This mental health profession goes beyond traditional talk therapy and engages clients in creative processes that lead to emotional wellness.

Key responsibilities and daily tasks

Art therapists create therapeutic sessions that match each client’s specific needs. You’ll guide clients through creative activities using various media like drawing, painting, sculpting, and collage. The goal isn’t about artistic talent – it’s about using the creative process to aid self-expression and healing.

Your daily responsibilities include:

• Getting a full picture of clients’ needs through artistic processes
• Creating personalized treatment plans that blend studio art therapy with counseling techniques
• Watching and documenting how clients react, progress, and achieve outcomes
• Creating treatment plans, case summaries, and progress reports
• Working together with other professionals on treatment teams
• Understanding clients’ artistic creations to review their functioning, needs, or progress

“It’s about exploring things they’re trying to process that they can’t verbally communicate,” explains one art therapist. “Sometimes they’re not ready to talk, but just having a person there helps.”

How art therapy supports mental health

Guided artistic expression helps clients understand emotions, develop self-awareness, build coping mechanisms, and resolve internal conflicts. Clients find a safe space to process complex feelings that might be hard to put into words.

Art therapy helps treat many conditions, including:

• Anxiety and depression
• Trauma and PTSD
• Substance use disorders
• Medical conditions like cancer
• Eating disorders
• Family or relationship problems
• Aging-related issues

The creative process becomes especially valuable if you have clients who find it hard to communicate verbally. Research shows art therapy boosts quality of life and helps people manage psychological symptoms, medical conditions, daily challenges, stress, and burnout.

A research review found art therapy reduces symptoms of mental health conditions, improves cognitive and sensorimotor functions, boosts self-esteem, fosters resilience, and strengthens social skills. A 2023 study with alcohol use disorder patients revealed positive brain wave changes, improved immune function, decreased stress chemicals, and reduced depression.

Where art therapists typically work

Art therapists find opportunities in a variety of settings. This flexibility lets you focus on populations or environments that match your professional interests.

Common workplaces include:

• Hospitals and medical settings
• Mental health clinics and psychiatric facilities
• Schools and educational institutions
• Community organizations and wellness centers
• Private practice settings

Art therapists work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, addiction treatment centers, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, schools, correctional facilities, community agencies, and shelters. These settings might involve individual client work or group sessions based on treatment goals.

The field keeps growing. Art therapists now serve as vital members of healthcare teams, especially in children’s hospitals where they work together with physical, occupational, and speech therapists to achieve complete treatment goals.

Step 1: Get the Right Education

A well-laid-out educational path leads to a career as an art therapist. California’s art therapist qualifications build on the right academic foundation and conclude with specialized graduate training.

Choosing a relevant bachelor’s degree

Some institutions offer undergraduate art therapy programs, but you don’t need one to enter the field. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. Several undergraduate paths can prepare you for graduate studies in art therapy:

• Psychology programs teach core concepts about human behavior, mental processes, and psychological theories you need for therapeutic work
• Visual Arts degrees help you develop technical skills in art media and creative expression
• Social Work teaches you about social welfare systems and resources to help people overcome challenges
• Counseling degrees introduce psychological principles used to help others cope with difficulties
• Education programs give you valuable insights into child psychology and development

Your graduate school applications become stronger with relevant coursework, volunteer opportunities, or work experience in art therapy.

Art therapy masters programs in California

California has several excellent art therapy master’s programs that line up with state licensure requirements. A master’s degree serves as the entry-level requirement to become an art therapist.

Loyola Marymount University runs an accredited Marital and Family Therapy program with specialized art therapy training. Graduates can become licensed marital and family therapists in California and nationally-registered art therapists.

Dominican University of California offers the only Master of Arts in Art Therapy program in Northern California. The program includes standard and post-master’s advanced standing tracks. The American Art Therapy Association approves their program, and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredits it.

Students can also choose California Institute of Integral Studies’ Expressive Arts Therapy concentration or Alliant International University’s program. Both meet California Board of Behavioral Sciences and American Art Therapy Association standards.

Studio art and psychology course requirements

Graduate art therapy programs have specific prerequisites. Studio art requirements include 18 semester units (or 27 quarter units) in various two- and three-dimensional media. The coursework should cover:

• Three semester units in drawing
• Three semester units in painting
• Three semester units in clay or sculpture
• Extra courses in various media like digital art

Psychology prerequisites need 12 semester units (18 quarter units) covering:

• General psychology
• Lifespan developmental psychology
• Abnormal psychology
• Personality theory[113]

Master’s programs require about 60 units of coursework. Students learn art therapy history, theory, techniques, assessment, ethical issues, cultural diversity, and group therapy. The program includes supervised clinical practice. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.

The American Art Therapy Association should approve your graduate program. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs can also accredit it. This ensures you can get the Registered Art Therapist credential after graduation.

Step 2: Complete Clinical Training

Clinical training builds the practical foundation of your art therapy career path. You’ll apply classroom theory through supervised client work to develop therapeutic skills.

Supervised practicum and internship hours

The American Art Therapy Credentials Board requires you to complete a structured art therapy practicum/internship with specific hour requirements. It has:

• A minimum of 700 supervised hours total
• At least 350 hours providing direct art therapy services to clients
• Remaining hours may include supervision, record keeping, and administrative tasks

Your supervision must follow strict ratios: one hour of individual supervision per ten hours of practicum/internship, or one and a half hours of group supervision per ten hours. This means you need at least 70 individual or 105 group supervision hours.

Your post-education experience requirements depend on your supervisor’s credentials. A supervisor with ATR-BC or ATCS requires 1,000 direct client contact hours plus 100 supervision hours (50 from an ATR-BC or ATCS). The requirements increase to 1,500 direct client hours with an ATR supervisor without BC status.

Your supervisor must meet specific qualifications. They need a master’s degree in a mental health field plus appropriate credentials for on-site supervision. This ensures quality training under qualified professionals.

Working with diverse populations

You need to develop multicultural competence during your clinical training. This happens in three stages: awareness, knowledge, and skills development.

Culturally competent art therapists understand how their cultural background shapes their views on psychological processes and art making. They also know their multicultural competency limits.

Real-world experience with different communities enriches your professional growth. Many California programs focus on working with underserved populations who face challenges like trauma, poverty, marginalization, incarceration, or homelessness.

Building a portfolio during training

Build a meaningful collection of artwork during your studies and clinical experiences. Organize your pieces by relevance to quickly select examples for future professional opportunities.

A strong portfolio should have works that:

• Show your personal growth and therapeutic approach
• Feature pieces with personal meaning and therapeutic value
• Display ongoing creative development

Keep creating new pieces regularly to build a larger collection of your strongest work. Your portfolio documents your growth as an art therapist and shows your capabilities to potential employers.

Clinical training turns theoretical knowledge into practical therapeutic skills, preparing you for certification and licensure in California.

Step 3: Get Certified and Licensed in California

Getting the right credentials is a vital step in your art therapy career. California requires both national certification and state licensure so you can practice legally and effectively.

Art therapy certification California process

You can start the certification process after completing your master’s degree. The first step is applying for the Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) credential. This allows you to collect supervised hours toward full registration. Starting July 2024, you need the ATR-P credential before you can pursue the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) status.

The supervised experience hours you need depend on your supervisor’s credentials:

• With an ATR-BC/ATCS supervisor: 1,000 direct client contact hours with 100 hours of supervision (50 from an ATR-BC/ATCS)
• With an ATR supervisor: 1,500 direct client contact hours with 150 hours of supervision (75 from an ATR-BC/ATCS)

Understanding ATR and ATR-BC credentials

The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) offers several credential levels:

ATR-P (Provisional): This credential suits those who completed graduate education and are collecting supervised hours

ATR (Registered): Shows you meet educational standards and finished supervised post-graduate experience

ATR-BC (Board Certified): The highest professional level that needs passing the national board examination and showing detailed knowledge

ATCS (Credentialed Supervisor): Experienced ATR-BCs who supervise other art therapists

California licensure paths: LPCC, MFT, and more

California art therapists must get state licensure beyond ATCB credentials. The main options include:

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC): A newer license path available in California since 2009
• Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT): Many California art therapists choose this traditional licensing path

Most California art therapy master’s programs help you get MFT licensure, which helps with job prospects and earning potential. You must then register with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and complete supervised associate hours.

State-specific exam and renewal requirements

State licensure requires you to:

• Register as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) or equivalent
• Pass the California Law & Ethics Exam – take it yearly until you pass
• Complete 3,000 supervised hours over at least 104 weeks
• Pass the Clinical Exam (NCMHCE)

ATCB credentials need recertification every five years through either:

• 100 continuing education credits (including 6 in ethics and 6 in supervision)
• Passing the ATCB examination again

The renewal fee costs about $100, and you’ll pay extra if you miss the deadlines.

Step 4: Start Your Career as an Art Therapist

You’ve completed your education, training, and certification requirements. Now it’s time to start your professional career as an art therapist in California. The job market looks promising, but you’ll need a good plan to land that first position.

Entry-level roles and job search tips

Entry-level art therapist positions in California start with salaries of $40,000 annually, with median salaries reaching $50,000. Experienced therapists can earn more than $100 per hour.

A systematic approach to your job search makes a big difference:

• Look for financially stable industries and organizations
• Get a full picture of target companies before applying
• Starting with contract or temp-to-hire positions can be a great stepping stone
• Make your resumé and portfolio match each application
• Show how your art therapy skills benefit employers

Your art therapy portfolio plays a vital role, especially when you have employers who might not fully understand an art therapist’s value. Experience from teaching or volunteering at social service centers, psychiatric clinics, or hospitals can make your application stronger.

Where to find art therapy jobs in California

California’s job market offers a variety of employment settings for art therapists. State facilities like Patton State Hospital post positions regularly. These roles need master’s degrees in Art Therapy or Art with an emphasis in Art Therapy, among other American Art Therapy Association registration requirements.

Many art therapists choose self-employment, working as independent clinicians who set their own schedules and build their client base. Hospitals, psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation centers, schools, crisis counseling centers, correctional facilities, and mental health agencies also hire art therapists regularly.

The American Art Therapy Association’s Career Center stands out as the best resource for finding art therapy jobs. Posting your resume there helps employers find you more easily.

Joining professional associations

Professional organizations are a great way to get networking opportunities and job listings. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) runs a national job bank that’s really helpful for finding positions across California.

Your local AATA chapter membership can be your best resource. You’ll get access to regional newsletters, job boards, and professional networks. The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations offer many more opportunities.

Professional networking remains your most powerful job search tool. It connects you with opportunities that might never appear in public job listings.

Start Your Career as an Art Therapist

A career as an art therapist in California blends creative expression with therapeutic techniques to create a rewarding professional path. This piece outlines the detailed educational requirements, clinical training needs, certification steps, and career prospects available in this expanding field.

The path begins with a bachelor’s degree that leads to a specialized master’s program. These programs must meet the standards set by both the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and American Art Therapy Association. Clinical training builds your foundation through supervised client work and helps you develop key therapeutic skills.

The next step takes you through certification and licensure. You’ll start with provisional registration (ATR-P) and progress toward full credentials (ATR, ATR-BC) while pursuing California state licensure as an LPCC or MFT. These qualifications enable you to practice legally in a variety of settings.

Career prospects have grown stronger since the COVID-19 pandemic. Art therapists can expect to earn between $45,000-$65,000 annually. Professional opportunities in educational settings offer even higher potential, with mean annual wages reaching $77,710.

Art therapy stands out as a powerful healing tool for clients who find verbal expression challenging. Your expertise in guiding others through creative processes helps them explore emotions, build self-awareness, and develop coping strategies for various mental health challenges.

This career demands dedication, patience, and ongoing professional growth. The satisfaction of helping others heal through artistic expression makes the journey worthwhile. You now have a clear path forward to build this meaningful career in California.