The Role of Art Therapy in the National Dialogue on Mental Health
October 15, 2014
Sarah Deaver, PhD, ATR-BC, President
Donna Betts, PhD, ATR-BC, President-Elect
American Art Therapy Association
The need for effective treatments for mental illnesses and other psychological conditions is
garnering widespread interest. The American Art Therapy Association notes that art therapy is
increasingly part of this dialogue. Art therapy is a mental health profession regulated in the
United States by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and the Art Therapy
Credentials Board (ATCB). Currently, AATA’s Education Program Approval Board sets the
education standards for the profession and monitors compliance with educational institutions
providing art therapy master’s degree programs. The ATCB sets the parameters of ethical
practice for the profession through the Code of Professional Practice, and importantly, protects
the public by promoting the competent and ethical practice of art therapy. Thus, professional art
therapists with ATCB credentials have the appropriate training and certification to ethically
practice.
Some support exists for applications of the arts in many healing contexts, such as is described in
the Arts, Health and Well-Being across the Military Continuum, a 2012 “white paper and
framing a national plan for action” by Americans for the Arts. Rear Admiral Alton L. Stocks,
SHCE, USN, Commander, Walter Reed Bethesda, cites successful examples of arts programs in
US military facilities. The white paper also articulates the need to “strengthen the growing body
of knowledge concerning the health benefits of arts programming and creative arts therapies in
the military and veteran populations” (p. 9). However, the differences should be clarified.
Several recent studies have shown that credentialed art therapists have enhanced patient coping,
improved mood and quality of life, and reduced depression and situational anxiety. Furthermore,
the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and
notable military and VA health facilities across the nation, have recognized art therapy as an
effective and needed treatment for returning military personnel suffering from traumatic brain
injury and post-traumatic stress and for their family members who have endured the emotional
strain of multiple military deployments.
Art therapy has received bipartisan support. For example, Senator Tom Harkin (IA) sponsored
the American Art Therapy Association national client artwork exhibition (Robertson, 2001,
pp.167-168) held in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, in June, 2001. The
exhibit impressed Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. Impacted by her visit to the
exhibit, Senator Hillary Clinton (NY) issued a Congressional Record Statement (S12154) on
November 29, 2001, urging her colleagues in Congress to “support the field of art therapy and
American Art Therapy Association | 4875 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 240, Alexandria, VA 22304
www.arttherapy.org | Phone (888) 290-0878 (703) 548-5860 | E-mail info@arttherapy.org
expand awareness” of its benefits. She said, “I want to thank art therapists, in New York and
every community in America, who are assisting survivors, rescuers, and the bereaved.
Throughout the country…credentialed art therapists [are] working in hospitals, nursing homes,
schools and shelters. They are among the army of mental health professionals who support those
suffering from psychological trauma from the [9/11] attacks, and undoubtedly will continue to
serve the needs of individuals coping with subsequent stress disorders.”
Indeed, they will – and the American Art Therapy Association will persist in its efforts to
encourage the highest standards of professional competence, through ongoing development of
initiatives in research, policy and practice.
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American Art Therapy Association | 4875 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 240, Alexandria, VA 22304
www.arttherapy.org | Phone (888) 290-0878 (703) 548-5860 | E-mail info@arttherapy.org