Becoming an Art Therapist
If you are interested in becoming an art therapist in Texas, here’s what you need to know about the role, education, training, and credentials.
What Does an Art Therapist Do?
Art therapists play an important role in using art as a means of communication, expression, and healing. They help clients explore emotions and experiences that may be difficult to express in words.
An art therapist is typically both an artist and a clinician, skilled in using art therapy assessments, directives, and approaches to support emotional and mental well-being. A session may include a client working with yarn to promote mindfulness, painting colors that represent current feelings, or collaging to explore identity or self-image
Who Do Art Therapists Work With?
Art therapy can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds. In Houston, for example, art therapists work in:
Hospitals (inpatient and outpatient care)
Group programs
Behavioral and mental health facilities
Private individual therapy sessions
Community and nonprofit organizations
Schools
Although it’s still a specialized field, opportunities are growing as creative approaches to mental health gain recognition.
Education and Training Requirements (Texas)
To become an art therapist in Texas, you need a master’s degree in art therapy or a related counseling field with a concentration in art therapy. These graduate programs combine psychology, counseling, and studio art coursework to prepare students for both the creative and clinical aspects of the profession.
Becoming an Art Therapist - American Art Therapy Association
You can qualify through one of two main pathways:
Option A:
Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in art therapy from an accredited institution
Complete at least 700 hours of supervised practicum
Option B:
Hold a master’s degree in a counseling-related field (not specifically art therapy)
Complete at least 21 semester hours of coursework in the history, theory, and practice of art therapy
Complete 700 hours of supervised practicum from an accredited school
Postgraduate Supervised Experience
After finishing your degree and practicum, Texas requires additional supervised clinical experience:
Option A: 1,000 hours of client contact under supervision by an LPC with an Art Therapy specialization
Option B: 2,000 hours of client contact under similar supervision
Certification and Examination
You must pass the national Certification Examination in Art Therapy administered by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).
Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc. | Credential Conversations
Licensing and Specialty Designation in Texas
In Texas, art therapists are licensed as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and can apply for a Specialty Designation in Art Therapy (LPC-AT) once all requirements are met. You may also pursue national credentials such as the ATR (Registered Art Therapist) or ATR-BC (Board-Certified Art Therapist) through the ATCB.
Accredited Programs
When choosing a graduate program, look for CAAHEP-accredited programs recognized by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). Accreditation ensures that the curriculum meets national standards for art therapy education and clinical training.
For a full list of accredited programs, visit:
Credentials and Licensure - American Art Therapy Association
Online Options
Adler University
Offers a Master of Arts in Counseling: Art Therapy (MACAT), beginning Fall 2025, as a fully online program.
Includes asynchronous coursework, live virtual sessions, and local clinical/field training.
CAAHEP-accredited, which meets national art therapy education standards.
PennWest University (formerly Edinboro University)
Offers a 100% online Post-Master’s Certificate in Art Therapy.
