I’m both an art therapist and a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Fl. I think sometimes the art therapist in me feels my in depth understanding and training gets co-opted by other BH professionals… and therefore distorted to a certain degree. That said I’m all for what works : I became a primary clinician exactly to keep from being boxed in.
Thank you for reading.🙏 I felt vindicated when I received blessings from Cathy Malchiodi that I was practicing within the scope of my professional ethics.
You would make a referral! Art Therapy practice is subject to many minimum training standards and States’ laws. It is not a technique but a regulated healthcare occupation and qualified healthcare intervention.
One who has not attained the training, as with any separate and distinct healthcare occupation and profession is, by default, engaging in incompetent practice. Please refer, same as with those siloed professions. Art Therapy standards and compliant resources are at www.arttherapyclarion.com.
Credentialed Art Therapists train 8 years for our credentials. Our Code required that we advocate whenever possible.
It's good that you addressed this accusation. Having worked with several therapists, each with a different approach (including one Canadian art therapist--hope we're not talking about the same person!), I can say that the best approach for me as a client is to make a safe space to allow my inner voice and feelings to be fully expressed.
I have on my own tried writing a letter to my inner child with the non-dominant hand and found it a fascinating and therapeutic experience. I will try drawing with it in the future (when my carpel tunnel syndrome heals)!
Thank you for reading Louisa. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, but just because we have a hammer in our hands doesn’t mean everything is a nail. We have lots of different tools in our toolbox. Your comments are always appreciated.
As a fine artist I am fascinated to learn about art therapy and I'm glad you addressed that comment. If, as therapists, we only focused on one type of treatment, we couldn't help many. We are always learning and trying to meet our clients where they are. For instance, how could I have used talk therapy to help my client suffering from tourettes?
Yes. People bring their whole being into the therapeutic space. A large part of our work is to create the fertile soil in which a unique person can thrive.
The ethical guidelines for art therapists emphasize advocacy, but this does not mean that art therapy should be restricted to licensed art therapists alone. Advocacy involves promoting the value of art therapy and ensuring its ethical application, not limiting its use by other qualified professionals.
Using art in therapy is a recognized and accepted practice across various therapeutic frameworks, provided it is done responsibly and ethically. The key is that any technique, including art, is used in a way that is aligned with ethical standards and benefits the client. Therefore, it is not unethical for other therapists to incorporate art into their practice if it supports their clients’ needs.
Integrating art into therapy is a recognized practice in many therapeutic frameworks and does not necessarily require an exclusive license in most regions. While art therapists have specialized training in expressive arts therapy, many licensed professionals, including Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and other mental health practitioners, use art as a complementary tool to enhance their therapeutic approach.
Incorporating art into therapy is often a valuable way to support clients and is consistent with a client-centered approach that emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to individual needs. It is common for therapists to utilize various techniques, including art, to help clients explore and express their thoughts and emotions. This practice is widely accepted and aligns with ethical standards that prioritize client well-being and autonomy.
Professional guidelines generally support the use of diverse methods within therapy, as long as they are applied ethically and effectively. In cases where specialized art therapy is needed, referring clients to a licensed art therapist is appropriate. However, using art as a tool in therapy, when done responsibly, does not inherently constitute unethical behavior. It is part of a broader therapeutic strategy to facilitate healing and personal growth.
I’m both an art therapist and a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Fl. I think sometimes the art therapist in me feels my in depth understanding and training gets co-opted by other BH professionals… and therefore distorted to a certain degree. That said I’m all for what works : I became a primary clinician exactly to keep from being boxed in.
Thank you for reading.🙏 I felt vindicated when I received blessings from Cathy Malchiodi that I was practicing within the scope of my professional ethics.
Yes I would feel the same ☺️
You would make a referral! Art Therapy practice is subject to many minimum training standards and States’ laws. It is not a technique but a regulated healthcare occupation and qualified healthcare intervention.
One who has not attained the training, as with any separate and distinct healthcare occupation and profession is, by default, engaging in incompetent practice. Please refer, same as with those siloed professions. Art Therapy standards and compliant resources are at www.arttherapyclarion.com.
Credentialed Art Therapists train 8 years for our credentials. Our Code required that we advocate whenever possible.
Ha! I’m being stalked by a licensed art therapist now!😂
It's good that you addressed this accusation. Having worked with several therapists, each with a different approach (including one Canadian art therapist--hope we're not talking about the same person!), I can say that the best approach for me as a client is to make a safe space to allow my inner voice and feelings to be fully expressed.
I have on my own tried writing a letter to my inner child with the non-dominant hand and found it a fascinating and therapeutic experience. I will try drawing with it in the future (when my carpel tunnel syndrome heals)!
Thank you for reading Louisa. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, but just because we have a hammer in our hands doesn’t mean everything is a nail. We have lots of different tools in our toolbox. Your comments are always appreciated.
As a fine artist I am fascinated to learn about art therapy and I'm glad you addressed that comment. If, as therapists, we only focused on one type of treatment, we couldn't help many. We are always learning and trying to meet our clients where they are. For instance, how could I have used talk therapy to help my client suffering from tourettes?
Yes. People bring their whole being into the therapeutic space. A large part of our work is to create the fertile soil in which a unique person can thrive.
The ethical guidelines for art therapists emphasize advocacy, but this does not mean that art therapy should be restricted to licensed art therapists alone. Advocacy involves promoting the value of art therapy and ensuring its ethical application, not limiting its use by other qualified professionals.
Using art in therapy is a recognized and accepted practice across various therapeutic frameworks, provided it is done responsibly and ethically. The key is that any technique, including art, is used in a way that is aligned with ethical standards and benefits the client. Therefore, it is not unethical for other therapists to incorporate art into their practice if it supports their clients’ needs.
Integrating art into therapy is a recognized practice in many therapeutic frameworks and does not necessarily require an exclusive license in most regions. While art therapists have specialized training in expressive arts therapy, many licensed professionals, including Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and other mental health practitioners, use art as a complementary tool to enhance their therapeutic approach.
Incorporating art into therapy is often a valuable way to support clients and is consistent with a client-centered approach that emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to individual needs. It is common for therapists to utilize various techniques, including art, to help clients explore and express their thoughts and emotions. This practice is widely accepted and aligns with ethical standards that prioritize client well-being and autonomy.
Professional guidelines generally support the use of diverse methods within therapy, as long as they are applied ethically and effectively. In cases where specialized art therapy is needed, referring clients to a licensed art therapist is appropriate. However, using art as a tool in therapy, when done responsibly, does not inherently constitute unethical behavior. It is part of a broader therapeutic strategy to facilitate healing and personal growth.