What is Art Therapy for Children? | Pediatric Therapy Directory

What Do Pediatric Art Therapists Do?

Art therapists are experts at helping children express themselves and cope with challenges through the creative process of art-making.

They are mental health professionals who specialize in using art to help children who have difficulties with things like

Expressing their feelings, thoughts, and experiences verbally
Visualization and visual thinking
Processing trauma, grief, or stressful events
Focusing and concentrating
Developing self-esteem and confidence
Developing social skills and relationships
Managing anxiety, depression, or emotional distress

Art therapists use drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art media as part of therapy sessions. The art-making process allows children to explore their feelings in a safe, non-threatening way.

Many of the children who benefit from art therapy have a history of

Autism spectrum disorder
ADHD
Depression
Anxiety
Trauma or PTSD
Chronic illness
Difficulty making and keeping friends
Sensory processing disorder

Children do not need a formal diagnosis in order to benefit from art therapy. Art therapists are great at helping any child who needs help developing emotional resilience.

The creative process can be calming and therapeutic for children facing emotional or behavioral challenges.

Art therapists work collaboratively with parents, teachers, and other healthcare professionals. They develop treatment goals tailored to each child's needs.

Art therapy complements other therapeutic and educational approaches.

How Are Pediatric Art Therapists Trained?

Art therapists must have a master’s degree in order to become registered by the Art Therapy Credentials Board.

They complete coursework in a variety of areas such as

Psychology
Psychological assessment and treatment
Counseling
Research methods
Cultural competence and ethics
Studio art such as drawing, painting, and sculpture
Child development
Art therapy treatment techniques

All art therapy graduate students complete a clinical practicum before they graduate. This practicum allows them to gain experience treating patients under the guidance of an experienced art therapist.

Therapists graduate with a solid foundation in evaluating and treating mental health issues through creative art.

Art therapy credentials

The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) awards credentials to art therapists based on their education, experience, and examination performance. There are 4 main credentials that an art therapist can earn.

Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-Provisional): This credential is for graduates who are still completing the requirements for the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential. Candidates must be practicing under the supervision of an experienced art therapist.
Registered Art Therapist (ATR): This credential ensures that an art therapist has successfully completed a graduate degree in art therapy and has completed supervised post-graduate experience in the field. ATRs have completed a minimum of 1000 hours of art therapy treatment, with at least 100 of those hours supervised by an experienced therapist.
Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC): This is the highest level of certification for art therapists. To obtain this credential, registered art therapists must pass a national examination demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of art therapy theories and clinical skills. Board-certified art therapists must recertify this credential every five years by completing continuing education or retaking the exam.
Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS): Board-certified art therapists who provide supervision to students and recent art therapy graduates may obtain the Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS) credential. ATCSs must have a minimum of 500 hours of clinical supervision experience before applying for this credential.

Continuing education and specialization

Continuing education is an integral part of an art therapist's career. Art therapists must complete continuing education credits regularly to maintain their registration and certification with the Art Therapy Credentials Board.

Most art therapists voluntarily pursue ongoing education to strengthen their skills in helping clients heal through art.

Some art therapists pursue a more focused career path and choose to specialize in areas such as

Early childhood treatment
Trauma recovery
Therapeutic painting
Autism treatment
Addiction and recovery

Is Pediatric Art Therapy Supported by Research?

Yes, art therapy is backed by a growing body of research demonstrating its effectiveness for various conditions and populations.

Art therapists incorporate research insights from a wide variety of fields including

Psychology
Neuroscience
Child development
Behaviorism
Neurobiology of trauma
Addiction studies
Sociology
Developmental disabilities

Some examples of research journals that art therapists reference include:

Research has shown art therapy can help children feel more in control and relieve anxiety and depression. It also assists in pain management by shifting focus away from pain.

Ongoing research continues to further establish art therapy as an effective therapeutic approach for building cognitive skills and emotional resilience.

What Age Groups Do Pediatric Art Therapists Treat?

Pediatric art therapists use art as a therapeutic tool to help children and teens express themselves and process emotions. They work with a wide range of ages and developmental stages:

Infants & Toddlers (0-3 years): Art therapists use sensory materials like finger paints to stimulate the senses and promote well-being. They support early communication and motor skills development through art. Art therapists who specialize in early intervention often work with the parent and child together to help strengthen their bond.
Preschoolers (3-5 years): Art therapy helps preschoolers name emotions, build confidence, and regulate behavior. Therapists use themes like family, friends, and coping strategies.
School-Aged Children (6-12 years): Art therapy addresses conditions like trauma, grief, illness, and learning disorders. Kids learn to articulate their feelings and build resilience.
Adolescents (13-18 years): Art therapy allows teens to express their identity, process relationships, and navigate life changes. It provides an emotional outlet and helps them develop coping skills.
Transition-Age Youth (18-25 years): Art therapy helps older teens transition into adulthood and improve their emotional IQ. It can help them develop better self-awareness and strategies for dealing with challenges.

Creative expression through art therapy gives children and teens a healthy way to process their inner world. It meets them where they are developmentally and emotionally.

Where Do Pediatric Art Therapists Work?

Pediatric art therapists work in a variety of settings to help children express themselves creatively and address emotional and developmental needs through art. Common work environments include:

Hospitals: Art therapists are part of the child life teams in hospitals, using art to help children cope with illness, medical procedures, and trauma.
Schools: Art therapists collaborate with teachers and counselors to provide therapy to students through drawing, painting, sculpting, and other creative modalities.
Private practice: Many art therapists have private practices, offering individual and group art therapy sessions.
Psychiatric hospitals & clinics: Art therapy is used in inpatient and residential psychiatric treatment to facilitate emotional skill-building.
Rehab facilities: Art therapists work in drug, alcohol, and eating disorder rehab programs, using art to process emotions and support recovery.
Community clinics: Art therapy is offered in mental health clinics and family counseling centers to make services accessible.
Crisis centers: Art therapy gives children in foster care, homeless youth, and trauma victims a way to express themselves during crisis intervention.
Online: Virtual art therapy expands access to services, especially for families who don’t live close to an art therapy practitioner.

Could My Child Benefit from Art Therapy?

Art therapy can help children who are struggling emotionally, behaviorally, or cognitively. Some signs your child could benefit include

Difficulty Expressing Feelings: Art provides a creative outlet for children to express complex emotions they can't verbalize.
Anxiety: Art therapy can help relieve anxiety symptoms and address the underlying causes through creative expression.
Depression: Creating art helps kids channel feelings of sadness, reframe their experiences, and build self-esteem.
Trauma and Loss: Therapeutic art-making can help kids process their traumatic experiences in a more productive way. It can provide them with a sense of mastery over a world that feels out of control. Art therapy can help children process grief in a way that respects their unique developmental needs.
Self-Esteem Issues: Creating art in a therapeutic environment helps children improve their self-esteem and gives them a sense of accomplishment. It can strengthen their sense of self.
Neurodivergence: Art therapy allows children who struggle with verbal communication to communicate their ideas and feelings through their art. It can help them process a world that feels chaotic.
COVID Learning Loss: Art therapy can address pandemic-related cognitive, emotional, or social difficulties.
Self-Regulation or Emotional Regulation Issues: The creative process facilitates emotional regulation and can help kids develop a sense of agency over their feelings.
Substance Abuse: Art therapy can uncover the root causes of addiction and teach healthy coping skills.
Eating Disorders: Therapeutic art-making can help improve body acceptance and challenge a child’s distorted self-image.
Attachment Issues: Art therapy can be a very healing process for children who are struggling with attachment due to foster care, abuse, and/or neglect.
Social Skills Problems: Art therapy groups can promote pro-social behaviors and help kids learn empathy.

If you think your child would benefit from exploring feelings through art, trust your intuition. No one knows your child as well as you do.

Most art therapists offer a free initial consultation. Reach out to a few to find out more about how art therapy can help your child move forward.

How Do I Pay for Art Therapy for My Child?

Art therapists accept various payment options, similar to other healthcare providers. Some common ways to pay include

Insurance: Most therapists take commercial insurance like Aetna or Cigna. Some states may offer mental health benefits, such as art therapy, through Medicaid as well.
State Programs: Some states have programs that subsidize or fully cover therapy costs for families, especially those with a child who has specialized needs.
Schools: Some private schools and public school districts employ art therapists. Your child may qualify for art therapy as a related service on his IEP.
Fee-for-Service Therapists: Some therapists operate on a fee-for-service basis without taking insurance. You pay per session instead of filing insurance claims.
Sliding Scale: Ask your art therapist if they offer flexible sliding scale fees based on income. Many adjust their rates for families who cannot pay full price.
Non-Profits: Some non-profit and community mental health clinics provide low-cost or free mental health services, including art therapy, based on financial need.

How Do I Find the Right Art Therapist for My Child?

Ask your child's pediatrician or psychiatrist

Your child’s pediatrician or psychiatrist may be able to provide referrals to qualified art therapists. They know your child's history and can recommend therapists with expertise in treating similar issues.

Word-of-mouth and personal recommendations

Ask for suggestions from parents whose children have benefited from art therapy. Friends, family members, and parent support groups can recommend art therapists they had positive experiences with.

Ask a therapist

Your child's mental health therapist or other pediatric therapists (like OT or speech) may be able to recommend an art therapist they know and trust.

Ask your child’s IEP team

In some school districts, art therapy is provided as a related service on Individualized education Plans (IEPs). If your child receives special education services, ask his IEP team if he qualifies for art therapy.

Search online

While general online searches can be hit-or-miss, using a specialized pediatric therapy directory provides a list of qualified art therapists in your area. This allows you to review their backgrounds and specialties.

As with any therapist, finding one that connects well with your child is crucial.

Most offer free 15-minute phone consultations before committing. Use these consultations to interview several therapists and get a sense of their approach to art therapy.

Ask about their experience with issues similar to your child's. An initial call can provide valuable insights to find the best match.