Art therapists use creative expression to help people heal and grow. You'll combine training in both therapy and fine arts, work with clients one-on-one or in groups, and need a master's degree to enter the field.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Art therapists help clients process emotions and experiences through creative work like drawing, painting, sculpture, and other artistic media. You listen carefully to understand what people need, guide them through creative activities, and document their progress. You work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practice settings. The role blends counseling skills with knowledge of art and human psychology. You communicate regularly with supervisors and other healthcare team members to coordinate care and support your clients' overall treatment goals.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Art Therapists earn a median of $77,930 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 4,100 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a master's degree in art therapy or a related field. Your education combines coursework in therapy, counseling, psychology, and fine arts, along with supervised clinical experience working with clients. This extensive preparation typically takes two years or more beyond your bachelor's degree. During your studies, you'll develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. Many programs include internships or practicum placements where you work directly with clients under supervision before entering the field independently.
The path to art therapy requires graduate education, so timing and program selection matter. Use Pathly can map the art therapist path that fits you to map out your options and create a step-by-step plan with your counselor.
Many art therapists must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to helping others and building meaningful relationships. You think creatively, communicate well, and care about supporting people through difficult times.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).