• How did you come to choose art therapy as your career?

I chose art therapy as a career because I wanted to use both art and psychology to teach people coping skills. I also was worried that I would get burned out if I listened to people’s terrible life stories all day every day. The skills for preventing burn out were taught in school but I didn’t know it at the time I was considering art therapy.

• What were other careers you considered instead of Art Therapy

After being in the field, I’ve noticed occupational therapists and social workers do similar work to what I do but there are more jobs and it’s easy for someone in social work to pick and move to another state. Art therapy doesn’t have that potability since each state has a different phrase or program for it. Before getting into the field, I thought about being a writer, photojournalist, and a variety of other professions.

• What do you feel your career as an art therapist requires of you the most?

It requires me to be on my toes all the time for any misinterpretations of what art therapy is. I think the worst of it was when a businessman said that I got my clients naked to paint their portraits. He left the conversation upset after that.

I also find that each client is different so they learn differently and will pick up some things quickly and struggle with other things. I use my knowledge on a variety of subjects every day to assist with their healing.

• How do you view the current job market for art therapy? Why do you feel this way?

The way that it has always been for art therapists is to knock on doors, give a good case for why art therapy is needed at a certain place and hope that other art therapists join with you. This is the tried and true method. However, many people going through art therapy programs believe that someone will offer them an art therapy job and that to take something less than that would be nonsense. There were a few art therapy positions and maybe one new opportunity every few years in CT as they create more programs that involve the arts. When one position becomes available, there are more than 100 people who could fill it; most likely, it goes to the person next in line, though, so those 100 people have to find a job somewhere else, if it exists.

• Did your college experience prepare you properly for the career?

It prepared me as much as the program could prepare me. I use some of the theories. If I worked in an agency, I probably wouldn’t have too much more to worry about. But I chose to open a business so, I had to learn lots of the business aspects on the fly. School did not prepare me for private practice. It’s its own beast, honestly, but I think, it’s the most rewarding experience.

• What kind of bachelor degrees do you think provide the best base for an art therapy graduate degree?

I had my psychology degree with the required art classes. My classmates who had art degrees with the required psychology classes did just as well. I’m not sure if there’s one way that’s better.

• Do you feel you had anything give you a leg up in your entry into the field?

I had supportive environments and lots of self-reflection, which I think helps with the way I interact with my clients too.

• What/where is the best form/place to network?

That’s different for everyone and every place. I’ve run the gambit on networking and at this point, I can connect people with others and they can connect to me very easy but I can’t pinpoint one place that was better than another. It’s also a great idea to have interests outside of therapy so that you’re around people who aren’t just about therapy and networking.

• What has been your greatest struggle in your career?

I’ve gotten in my own way more than I can count.

I also think that the expectations that I had in grad school compared to what I actually do. In grad school, I read about a person who went to Ireland to do an art therapy retreat and wrote about their experiences. While that’s fantastic, the reality is that I find pleasure in the success of getting a couple to work together on an art directive after many sessions of talk therapy.

• Was there ever a point where you felt you might not “make it” as an art therapist? Do you still have that fear?

There were many points but at each check point, I had come so far and people had known me and supported my goals. They wouldn’t have done that if they thought that it wasn’t for me. Again, one of those points where I got in my own way and had to overcome it.

At this point, I do a majority of talk therapy sessions so, I don’t think I’m “making it” in the way I thought I would as an art therapist– mainly continuously to find people who are interested in having art therapy sessions. But I love when I do an art therapy session and it turns out great. However, I receive many more calls for people with insurance who just want to talk it out. They typically see results so, I continue with it.

• Are there certain states where art therapy is more prevalent and/or sought after?

Each state has it’s own version of art therapy. If you’re not planning on staying in CT, research what that state has as far as expressive therapists, creative arts therapists, etc.

• What material do you prefer to use with client?

Whatever they’re comfortable with. I have a variety to choose from, including crayons, markers, colored pencils, paints, glitter glue, and collage materials.

• What materials do clients often gravitate towards?

The ones that they know best– markers, colored pencils, coloring pages, and some paints.

• Are there any political ideas or agendas involving art therapy that aspiring professionals in the field should be aware of?

It’s the same with any psychologist– if they’re a Jungian then they will have different ideas/theories than a behavioral therapist.

The field is filled with many passionate people who have the time to debate about every tiny aspect of art therapy. Sometimes they take the time to be decent people and talk with colleagues. Sometimes, they’re the hugest jerks you’ve ever encountered. Just be strong in your ideas and be willing to hear someone out if they’re actually making points. If they’re being jerks for no good reason, they are not doing their duty as an art therapist to display professionalism and it’s perfectly fine to report them to the American Art Therapy Association or to their state licensing board. Professionalism between professionals is a must and is definitely an aspect of ethics in any of the helping and licensed fields.

As far as agendas, the American Art Therapy Association is trying to get the word out still about how amazing art therapy is. Most post graduates have to knock on doors and sell themselves as art therapists to get jobs.

• Why did you choose your profession? 

It’s been so long since someone asked me that that I’ve mostly forgotten. The reason I stay in the field is because I love seeing people start their healing journey. The look on their face when they do their first artwork and feel so accomplished is priceless. Just a note, I do 95% talk therapy currently and it’s rare that I do art therapy anymore. 

• Where did you learn about Art Therapy?

I found out about art therapy through a couple of shows on TV when I was a kid. I wanted to do more than just therapy. And once I found out about art therapy, I knew it was something I’d like to do. I thought the therapy field would be more difficult than it actually is. 

• If you could change one thing about your profession what would it be? 

I think there’s a book in this question. The profession is doing well in getting more information out there. The profession is mostly broken and I’m sorry that this question is just a long answer. I would love it for the people in art therapy to get along and for there to be an actual nationally recognized license, not just “recognition” that a person did all the requirements similar to a license but without the benefits of having a license (like being able to be paneled by insurances).

• While in school what was the hardest thing you had to do/ study? 

Grad school for art therapy was, in its entirety, awful. I think internship was the worst but it was all bad. 

My experience at the University at Buffalo was an amazing experience, with lots of support. I’m glad that I went back for an advanced degree so refresh my look at the grad school college experience. It was difficult at times to find internships since I had to do it on my own.

• Would you recommend going into your profession? 

In art therapy, no, the benefits do not outweigh any of the costs. I have received an advanced degree in mental health counseling and I think the profession is wonderful. There are so many opportunities and I’ve only experienced, as of now, great and friendly people in the field.

• What schooling did you go through? (Pre-Art Therapy BA, Psych BA, Art Ed BA, Art Therapy MA, Any minors,etc.)

BA in Psychology at San Diego State, MA in Art Therapy at Albertus Magnus, Advanced Degree in Mental Health Counseling at University at Buffalo.

• Is there a different path that you wish you would’ve taken to get into Art therapy?

I wish I would have gotten an LCSW and did a credential or “recognition” as an art therapist instead of MA in Art therapy.  There’s stricter ethical guidelines but SO many opportunities.

Hope that was helpful. Good luck.