“That’s Cool… What’s That?”: Explaining Art Therapy and Why It Matters

If you live in the DMV area, you know that the second most common question you get when meeting someone (right after “What’s your name?”) is: “So, what do you do?”

If I’m not in the mood for a long conversation, I usually just say, “I’m a therapist.” But if I’m feeling a little spunky—or maybe just honest—I say, “I’m an art therapist.”

The reply I get is usually some variation of:

“That’s cool… what’s that?”

It’s become a conversation I know well. I could spend my entire career shouting from the rooftops what art therapy is—to other health professionals who aren’t totally sure what we do, to people calling their work art therapy when it’s not, and most importantly, to people who could truly benefit from this powerful form of therapy.

So, I’ll spare the abyss my shouting—for now—and write about it here instead.

What is art therapy? Why does it matter? And what should you know about it—whether you’re a potential client, a colleague, or someone who’s genuinely curious?

What Is Art Therapy, Really?

The term art therapy was first coined in the late 1930s and early 1940s. At its core, art therapy is a mental health profession that blends the creative process of making art with psychotherapeutic principles. It’s not about teaching specific art skills or creating something visually pleasing. It’s more nuanced than a coloring book and less projective than an inkblot test. It’s about using art as a language to support emotional expression, self-understanding, and nervous system regulation in ways that words alone sometimes cannot.

Who Actually Practices Art Therapy?

Let’s get something straight: not everyone who uses art in therapy is doing “art therapy.”

Art therapy is a nationally recognized mental health profession, with state licensure already established in 15 states plus the District of Columbia—and advocacy campaigns underway in over a dozen more.

A credentialed art therapist has earned a master’s degree from an accredited art therapy program, completed supervised clinical hours, and achieved credentials such as ATR (Registered Art Therapist) and/or board certification (ATR-BC). Some also hold dual licensure as mental health counselors or therapists, depending on the state.

To give you an idea of what the qualifications of an art therapist might look like, here’s a quick snapshot of my own credentials:

• LCPAT (Licensed Clinical Professional Art Therapist): In Maryland, where I practice, this licensure is required to legally refer to oneself as an art therapist.

• LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor): I also hold licensure in Maryland as a counselor (or traditional talk therapist).

• PAT (Professional Art Therapist): This is my DC license for art therapy—and fun fact, I was the 6th person in the District of Columbia to hold this license!

• LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor): I hold this counseling license in both DC and Missouri.

• ATR-BC (Board-Certified Art Therapist): This is a nationally recognized credential. I passed board examinations and achieved certification to further demonstrate my expertise in the field.

Why does it matter? Because becoming an art therapist involves a significant amount of specialized training, education, and certification. This is why it’s important to know who you’re working with and ensure that they have the education and experience to provide the best care.

Art therapy isn’t just about handing someone a colored pencil and piece of paper and chatting—it’s about understanding the psychological, developmental, and neurological processes behind both the art-making and the therapeutic work. Without that, there’s risk of oversimplification or even unintentional harm.

What Happens in an Art Therapy Session?

Art therapy sessions are as diverse as the people in them. Some sessions involve traditional talk therapy, with art used as a supportive tool or reflective exercise. Others are more experiential, where art-making is the primary form of processing.

Here are a few examples of what clients might do:

• Create a visual timeline of key life events to uncover patterns

• Use collage and metaphor to explore and express aspects of identity

• Sculpt a form to represent an emotion that feels difficult to name or articulate

• Engage in stitching while cultivating mindfulness and tuning in to bodily sensations

While people who identify as “artsy” often find art therapy to be a natural and familiar language, I’ve found that non-artists benefit in unique ways as well. Without a background in formal art training, there’s often less to unlearn—no need to undo art class rules or expectations about how something should look.

Who Can Benefit from Art Therapy?

Short answer: just about everyone.

In most cases, the only person who’s not going to benefit from art therapy is the one who doesn’t want to—and that’s true for most things in life. If you’re open to trying something new, you might be surprised by what you find. Watching someone have their first aha moment in art therapy—when something lands in a deeper, more meaningful way—is one of my favorite parts of this work.

Art therapy is an effective approach for trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, medical challenges, life transitions, and more. It can be helpful for adults, teens, and children, and can be used in individual, family, and group settings.

How Do I Get Started?

Even though I sometimes wish I didn’t have to explain or justify my profession so often, every “What’s that?” is an opportunity to advocate for my field and colleagues.

If you’re a fellow clinician, a potential community partner, or someone wondering if art therapy might be a good fit for your own therapy journey—reach out. I’d be happy to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to answer your questions and explore how art therapy might become part of your mental health toolkit.