Five great websites for art therapists focus on the psychology theory and practice of this creative discipline. Art therapy is a mental health care specialization that requires at least a master’s degree to practice. Professional art therapists are licensed through the Art Therapy Credentials Board. This body administers three professional credentials: Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS), Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC), and Registered Art Therapist (ATR).
Professionals can choose to join the American Art Therapy Association. A bibliography published on the AATA website lists some of the five professional art therapy websites that might be useful for those in the art therapy field and for those thinking about pursuing art therapy as a career.
1. The Arts in Psychotherapy
The Arts in Psychotherapy is a scholarly journal that can be found online. It publishes contemporary works of evidence-based research, opinion pieces by experts in the field, and case studies from mental health professionals. The peer-reviewed journal is published five times per year. Contributors are practitioners and/or researchers in the fields of art therapy including expressive and creative arts therapy, dance and movement therapy, and drama, music, and poetry therapy. Because the editors of the journal believe in open access to scholarly articles, issues of the journal can be accessed online through Science Direct.
2. Creativity Research Journal
Established in 1988, Creativity Research Journal is another scholarly journal found online that addresses topics of interest to professionals in the art therapy field. Its editors define “creativity” to include the following aspects:
- Aesthetics
- Genius
- Imagery
- Imagination
- Incubation
- Insight
- Intuition
- Metaphor
- Play
- Problem Finding
- Problem Solving
Aimed at psychologists interested in the study of creativity, this quarterly peer-reviewed journal is reviewed by a double-blind process.
3. International Journal of Art Therapy
The International Journal of Art Therapy is the authorized publication of the British Association of Art Therapists. Formerly called Inscape until 2005, this journal founded in 1996 collects the scholarly work of art therapy practitioners and researchers in England. All articles are peer-reviewed through a double-blind process and may be subject to additional research at the editor’s discretion. Its focus on the international art therapy community makes it one of the five great websites for art therapists.
4. Psychology of Creativity, Aesthetics, and the Arts
This scholarly publication of the American Psychological Association (APA) publishes biographical profiles, case studies, essays, interviews, and literature reviews quarterly. Psychology of Creativity, Aesthetics, and the Arts covers psychological research into the appreciation and production of artistic endeavors. The peer-reviewed journal has been in publication since 2007.
5. Art Therapy: the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association
AATA’s own publication, Art Therapy, is another one of the five great websites for art therapists. This resource provides links that allow users to find licensed art therapists or find educational programs that prepare one for a degree in art therapy. Other useful links help visitors learn about:
- Art Therapist Salaries
- Earning an Art Therapy Degree
- Getting Art Therapy Certification
- Graduate Programs in Art Therapy
- History of Art Therapy
- How to Become an Art Therapist
- Why Art Therapy Is Beneficial
Related Resource: 5 Great Books for Art Therapists
Conclusion
Art therapists dedicate themselves to improving the mental health of children and adults through the creative and expressive arts. The discipline relies on input from the psychological and artistic communities to arrive at therapeutic techniques that will benefit the greatest number of clients. In visiting these five great art therapy websites, art therapists will be able to read about the latest cutting-edge theories and practices in this specialized mental health field.