Therapists in the United States

Contributor By Annette Jones,

Art Therapy in Elementary Education
Children can express themselves better through art than words. Crayons and markers are more comfortable when it comes to emotions, much more comfortable than answering questions. Art therapy is most helpful with helping children deal with tragic events by bringing buried emotions to the surface. That allows the art therapist to help heal the child's psyche. It's not just emotional problems that can be helped through art therapy. Children with learning disabilities and cognitive problems also can benefit. The art therapist treats a child based on existing strengths and interests.

Art Therapy
Art therapists are beginning to work in elementary schools.Art therapists help people understand their problems and work toward solutions. The therapist is concerned with both treatment and rehabilitation, using art as well as traditional therapy. Schools are beginning to acknowledge the benefits of art therapy. Art is a nonverbal form of communication, which art therapists use to help children bring emotions to the surface. Art therapy is based on the principle that drawing is an important element to hearing. The therapist, if the child is willing, discusses the drawings to get more information.

Benefits
Art therapy can promote positive student attitudes to ensure positive academic outcomes. These attitudes need to start early in the academic years, so art therapy programs in elementary schools is appropriate. Inclusion of art therapy in the school system slowly is increasing in order to meet the needs of students who need more clinical assistance than a teacher in a classroom setting can provide. Many students are entering school at risk of failure, and school is the only place they feel safe. These students, especially if they have learning disorders, can be ostracized by their classmates and begin to act out. Providing this therapeutic service in school can be more cost effective than paying for treatment in specialized centers.

For All Students
Art therapy can help elementary school children to succeed in class.In the elementary school setting, art therapists offer their services to any student who appears to be having trouble, not just those in special education. Some elementary school students who may benefit from art therapy include those who have had a serious traumatic experience outside of school; behavior problems that manifest themselves in school; or other signs, such as being insecure, crying easily or excessive use of fantasy.

Grasp of Reality
Children sometimes blur the line between reality and fantasy. Usually they can distinguish the two by age six, but children who have several emotional or mental problems can't make that distinction. Drawing can help erase "the monsters" in the child's mind. Art therapists usually are asked to help children who are exhibiting emotional or developmental problems. Therapy can be in private or group settings. Generally, the art therapist is part of a team of people who are working to help the child.

Art Therapists Are Professionals
Art therapists must have a master's degree. The American Art Therapy Association set educational requirements for the profession: master's degree in art therapy, a master's degree with an emphasis in art therapy or 21 semester units in art therapy with a master's in a related field. Certification is offered by the Art Therapy Certification Board. To be a certified art therapist, professionals need 1,000 hours of direct contact with clients. Personal qualities include an artistic talent, even disposition, sensitivity, ability to work well with others and an ability to handle the required paperwork. It's a growing field, with fewer than 5,000 art therapists in the United States.