Art Therapy: Career Exploration Resource
Interested in art, psychology, healthcare, or helping others? Art therapy is an interdisciplinary field that brings these areas together.
The American Art Therapy Association describes art therapy as a mental health profession that combines active art-making, the creative process, psychological theory, and human experience within a therapeutic relationship. Art therapists work with people across a variety of ages and settings, including hospitals, schools, mental health settings, and community organizations.
If you enjoy creative work and are also interested in supporting people’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being, art therapy may be a career area worth exploring.
Start Here: Learn About the Field
- What Is Art Therapy?
Start with this overview from the American Art Therapy Association to learn what art therapy is, what art therapists do, and where they may work. The page also includes a helpful fact sheet you can use to learn more about the profession. - Art Therapy in Action
Want to see what the work actually looks like? Explore videos and examples featuring art therapists discussing their roles and experiences.
Education and Becoming an Art Therapist
Becoming an art therapist requires specialized education and training. If you are considering this career, spend some time learning about the educational path, graduate programs, clinical training, credentials, and licensure requirements.
- Becoming an Art Therapist
Explore the general steps involved in becoming an art therapist, including education and training. - I Want to Become an Art Therapist: FAQ
Review frequently asked questions about the profession and the process of becoming an art therapist. - Art Therapy Pre-Professional Undergraduate Programs, Master’s Academic Programs, Art Therapy Doctoral Programs
Explore undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral education options related to art therapy. - Credentials and Licensure
Learn more about professional credentials and licensure requirements. Because licensure requirements can vary by state, be sure to research the requirements for the location where you may want to practice.
Connect With Art Therapists
One of the best ways to explore a career is to talk with people who actually do the work. You can use LinkedIn to find art therapists, learn about their career paths, and potentially ask questions about their experiences.
Find Binghamton University Alumni
LinkedIn Alumni Search: Art Therapist
This search is filtered for Binghamton University alumni with “Art Therapist” in their LinkedIn profiles.
When reaching out, consider looking for alumni who:
- Work in a setting or population that interests you
- Have a career path or educational background you want to learn more about
- Attended a graduate program you are considering
- Work in an area where you may eventually want to live or work
You do not need to ask someone for a job or internship. Instead, consider asking for a brief informational conversation to learn more about their career path and experience.
Find Other Art Therapists on LinkedIn
LinkedIn People Search: Art Therapist
Use LinkedIn’s People search to find art therapists beyond the Binghamton University alumni network. You can refine your search by location, company, industry, or other available filters to find professionals whose experiences are especially relevant to your interests.
Don’t Have LinkedIn Premium?
You can still reach out to professionals on LinkedIn with a free account. If you are not connected with someone, review:
How to Message Someone on LinkedIn When You’re Not Connected
This resource provides strategies for connecting with professionals when you are not already connected, including options that can be useful for students using a free LinkedIn account.
Questions to Ask an Art Therapist
If you connect with an art therapist for an informational interview, consider asking:
- What originally interested you in art therapy?
- What was your educational path?
- What does a typical day or week look like for you?
- What populations or settings have you worked with?
- What do you enjoy most about your work?
- What are some challenges of working in this field?
- What skills are especially important for art therapists?
- How did you gain your first experience in the field?
- What do you wish you had known as a college student?
- Are there particular courses, experiences, internships, or volunteer opportunities you would recommend?
- Is there anything you would recommend I learn more about before pursuing graduate education in art therapy?
Remember that an informational interview is an opportunity to learn, not an expectation that the professional will provide a job or internship.
For additional questions, a free template to organize your questions, and other networking-related tips, check out this resource.
Stay Connected to the Profession
Professional associations can be a valuable way to continue learning about a career field. They can help you stay informed about professional trends, resources, events, educational opportunities, and other developments in the field.
Subscribe to Art Therapy Today to receive updates from the American Art Therapy Association.
Keep Exploring
Art therapy is one example of a career that does not fit neatly into a single academic area. It can connect creativity, psychology, healthcare, mental health, human services, and education.
As you explore the field, consider going beyond simply researching the job title. Learn about the education required, talk with professionals, explore different work settings, and reflect on which populations and areas of practice interest you most.
Want to talk more about this career path? Connect with the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development to explore your interests, identify potential experiences, and discuss your next steps.
Career Support & Sources:
As you explore this resource, we encourage you to take advantage of everything available to support your career journey. Below, you’ll find the sources and contributors that made this guide possible, multiple ways to connect with our office for personalized career support, and some important reminders to keep in mind as you plan your strategy. Be sure to check them out, and remember, our team is always here to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
| Reminder | What This Means for You |
|---|---|
| Use Multiple Sources | Information about careers and education can vary depending on where you look. Try checking several websites and resources when researching anything related to your career development (for example: job outlooks, salaries, industry trends, graduate programs, or fellowships, etc.). This will help you get a fuller, more accurate picture of what employers or admissions committees are looking for. |
| Make Sure to Network | Talking directly with people associated with your career goals or the programs/companies you’re interested in can give you the clearest and most useful insights. Reach out to professionals, recruiters, alumni, or current students to learn what really matters in your field (for example: company expectations, hiring timelines, résumé preferences, graduate program requirements, etc.). Even within the same industry or graduate program type, different organizations and admissions committees may value things differently. Listening carefully to their guidance can help you put your best foot forward. |
| Use AI Ethically in Career Development | AI tools can be a great resource for brainstorming, polishing materials, or practicing interview questions (for example: outlining position description details to guide your documents, generating practice questions, etc.). But it works best when you use it thoughtfully and make sure the final work reflects your own skills and voice. Some employers and graduate programs may not allow AI, so always check instructions carefully. Think of AI as a helper, not a replacement, and remember, Career Consultants are happy to guide you on how to use it effectively! |
| Be Aware of Employment Scams | When searching for jobs or internships, it’s important to stay alert for potential scams, especially when exploring positions outside of Binghamton’s Handshake. Common warning signs include requests for personal or financial information upfront, job offers without interviews, or anything that seems “too good to be true.” To learn more about what to watch for, see real examples, and find out how to protect yourself or respond if you encounter a scam, check out Employment Scam Information – Binghamton University. Staying informed helps you pursue opportunities safely and confidently. |
Drop-ins: When classes are in session, Monday-Friday, from 12-4 p.m., you can visit our office to schedule a 20-minute drop-in with our staff.
Appointments: You can schedule your 30-minute career session on Handshake. These are offered all year and can be done virtually and in person.
Online Resources: Visit uConnect, our virtual career center that is always accessible to support your career needs.
Picture Source: ChatGPT Image Generator
Website Sources: Special thanks to the organizations, industry experts, and thought leaders who share valuable career resources, research, and articles with the public. Your work provides important insights that support students’ career development.
- American Art Therapy Association. What Is Art Therapy?
- American Art Therapy Association. Art Therapy in Action
- American Art Therapy Association. Becoming an Art Therapist
- American Art Therapy Association. Credentials and Licensure
- American Art Therapy Association. Art Therapy Today Newsletter Sign-Up
- American Art Therapy Association. Art Therapy Pre-Professional Undergraduate Programs, Master’s Academic Programs, Art Therapy Doctoral Programs
AI Assistance: Portions of this resource may have been developed with support from AI tools (such as ChatGPT by OpenAI or Gemini), used to help synthesize research, generate summaries, and refine formatting. All final content has been reviewed and customized for Binghamton University students.
Accessibility: External websites may not fully comply with accessibility standards, and we cannot guarantee the accessibility of content outside the University. Please email careers@binghamton.edu if you encounter significant accessibility issues on these sites.
