Art therapist
Also known as: dramatherapist
About this occupation
Art therapists help patients overcome psychological and emotional difficulties through an artistic process which reflects emotions and feelings, focusing on patients who suffer a variety of problems such as mental, psychological, and behavioural disorders in order to facilitate self-understanding and awareness.
A specialisation of recreational therapist.
Essential skills and knowledge
- manage healthcare users' data
- apply health sciences
- challenge patient behaviour by means of art
- comply with legislation related to health care
- adhere to organisational guidelines
- work in multidisciplinary health teams
- apply art therapy interventions
- take referred patients
- inform policy makers on health-related challenges
- Motivate patiens
- sociology
- respond to changing situations in health care
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Art Therapists (O*NET 29-1129.01). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Conduct art therapy sessions, providing guided self-expression experiences to help clients recover from, or cope with, cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments.
- Talk with clients during art or other therapy sessions to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to the artistic process.
- Write treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
- Assess client needs or disorders, using drawing, painting, sculpting, or other artistic processes.
- Design art therapy sessions or programs to meet client's goals or objectives.
- Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to art therapy.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Artistic, Investigative
Top skills: Social Perceptiveness, Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Service Orientation
US median pay: US$77,930 a year (2025), 22,640 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyExtremely important (5.0)
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsExtremely important (4.5)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyVery important (4.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.6)
- Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Music Therapists
- Recreational Therapists
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Occupational Therapists
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Mental Health Counselors
- Occupational Therapy Aides
- Psychiatrists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.