Art Therapy and Counseling, MA

Program Description:

Art Therapy is a mental health and wellness profession that centers on participation in art making as a primary function of holistic assessment, mediation, and renewal. Art Therapy provides the ability to review life events, and examine relationships to resolve conflicts, heal trauma, and create new life narratives and growth.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a mental health and wellness profession that addresses emotional issues, coping and communication skills, improvement of self-esteem, and promotion of changes in behavior while striving for improved mental and emotional well-being. Clinical Mental Health Counseling provides evaluation, support in establishing goals, development and implementation of evidence-based and evidence-informed counseling treatment approaches, advocacy and follow-up with clients. 

The program will train art therapists and clinical mental health counselors who will apply their knowledge, human relationship skills, and passion for art to mobilize the creative process inherent in each person to promote change, growth, and well-being in individuals, families, and communities.

Upon completion of the program you will earn a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling.

Immediately following the program, you will be eligible to apply for entry level licensing in both art therapy and professional counseling. This training also provides excellent preparation for clinical, administrative, and leadership work within social and human rights agencies.

Program Goals

The goals of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program aim to foster student students’ professional development through education on up-to-date history, theory and techniques that facilitate culturally and trauma informed practices within art therapy and clinical mental health counseling enhanced by the use of creativity and art making for psychological, emotional, and spiritual health. The program aims:

• To provide instruction, experience, and resources for students according to the educational guidelines for art therapy education programs through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and clinical mental health counseling education programs through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
• To prepare competent entry level Counselors and Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
• To nurture students’ capacity to integrate theories and practices of art therapy and clinical mental health counseling within the therapeutic self for meaningful professional work within diverse settings in an equitable and inclusive manner.  
• To foster students’ repertoire of evidence-based art therapy and clinical mental health counseling skills to enhance clinical competencies and a commitment toward continuing education.  
• To enhance community and independent learning, critical thinking skills, and the ability for students to integrate both art therapist and clinical mental health counselor identities in service and in leadership.  
• To foster a community of learning and mutual support in both in-person residencies and blended online courses to support students’ pursuit of purposeful lives including self-care, contributions to vibrant and sustainable communities, and advocacy to support justice in our world.  

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Analyze the historical and theoretical components of Art Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling as individual professions, and subsequently create and embody the professional identities of Artist/Art Therapist and Clinical Mental Health Counselor in such a way as to nurture and maintain personal health and well-being, and apply them as a foundation for contemporary Art Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling professional practice.
• Exhibit skills in clinical interviewing, recognition of body language and behaviors, distinguishing therapeutic benefits of a variety of art processes and media applicability, and development of productive therapeutic relationships in order to respond to clients in an appropriate client centered manner in individual, group, and family formats.
• Apply responsive practices of multicultural perspective, based upon a continuously- informed understanding of cultural and social issues with recognition of the impact of oppression, prejudice, discrimination, and privilege on access to mental health care along with adherence to federal and state laws and professional ethics, to the practice of Art Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
  • Responsive practices include, understanding professional roles and responsibilities and their relationship to involvement, advocacy and collaboration both within and among professional and community organizations in regard to, empowerment, advocacy, and social justice.
  • Ethical responsibility includes the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to ethical and legal dilemmas using ethical decision-making models, supervision, and professional and legal consultation when necessary.
• Implement the basic diagnostic process using culturally and developmentally appropriate methods and resources incorporating the evaluation of creativity, symbolism and metaphor along with lifestyle choices to recognize communication challenges, strengths and promotion of growth and well-being as related to major categories and criteria of mental disorders, corresponding treatments, and commonly implemented clinical responses including pharmacology and referral networks.
• Incorporate principles of human development, artistic and creative development, human sexuality, lifestyle and career development, gender identity development, family life cycle, ability, and psychopathology, toward the assessment and treatment of clients across a variety of conditions including, mental health and wellness, life transitions, trauma and violence, and substance use and abuse treatment within mental health and medical treatment centers, schools, wellness and neighborhood centers, correctional facilities, veterans and community agencies, and non-profit settings.
• Critically evaluate and apply evidence-based practice including research, client centered treatment, and clinical expertise utilizing best practices, continuing education, clinical supervision, and implementation of research within ethical and cultural considerations to inform clinical practice and advancement of the fields of art therapy and counseling.

Residency Requirements

The graduate art therapy and counseling program will host two residencies each year. The first (August) will precede fall courses and the second (June) will follow spring courses. Residencies are scheduled Thursday evenings through Sunday afternoon. Both residencies are highly recommended. Students are required to attend at least one residency per year.

Clinical Placements

Within the Graduate Art Therapy and Counseling Program, three clinical placements are required. Practicum is the first clinical experience where students spend at least 100 hours on-site with a registered art therapist and licensed counselor. A minimum of 50 hours must be in direct contact with clients. Practicum sites and supervisors are contracted, trained, and approved by the Clinical Coordinator.

Two Internships are required for completion of the graduate art therapy and counseling program. Each internship requires 300 hours of which 150 direct client contact is required. Clinical sites and supervisors are contracted, trained, and approved by the Clinical Coordinator.