Art Therapy Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

Art therapy is an integrative mental health profession that combines psychotherapy techniques with the creative process to improve mental and emotional well-being. A crucial part of becoming a qualified art therapist is completing supervised internships to gain practical experience. This article explores the requirements for art therapy education, the importance of internships, and various opportunities available.

Education Requirements for Art Therapists

To become an art therapist, a master’s degree is generally required for entry-level practice. The curriculum typically includes:

Training in the creative process
Psychological development
Group therapy
Art therapy assessment
Psychodiagnostics
Research methods
Multicultural competency development and cultural humility

In addition to coursework, students must complete a minimum of 100 hours of supervised practicum and 600 hours of supervised art therapy clinical internship. Preparatory training in studio art methods, such as drawing, painting, digital art, clay, and sculpture, is also required. Foundational knowledge in psychology, particularly developmental and abnormal psychology, is essential.

Ensuring Quality in Art Therapy Education Programs

High-quality art therapy programs prepare students for entry-level skills and post-graduate board certification. These programs undergo rigorous annual reviews to ensure their resources, curriculum, faculty, and policies meet learning needs. The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE), overseen by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), manages educational standards. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) encourages students to consider CAAHEP-accredited programs to ensure they are well-prepared for board certification.

Curriculum Content in Art Therapy Programs

Accredited art therapy master's programs ensure their resources, curriculum, faculty, and policies prepare students for a career as a registered art therapist (ATR). These programs combine coursework from related mental health professions with specialized art therapy theories and methods. The curriculum typically includes:

Read also: Educational Therapy Services

Psychopathology
Psychological assessment
Human growth and development
Counseling/Psychological theories
Helping relationships
Research
Professional orientation
Ethical and legal issues
Multicultural and social issues
History and theory of art therapy
Materials and techniques of practice in art therapy
Creativity studies
Studio art
Application of art therapy with people in different treatment settings
Art therapy assessment
Group art therapy
Culminating thesis or project
Practicum and internship

Programs may also include coursework in family therapy, trauma studies, addiction studies, creative arts therapies (such as drama therapy or dance-movement therapy), vocational and career development, additional studio electives, or medical art therapy.

Experiential Learning: The Role of Art-Making

Art therapy combines active art-making, the creative process, applied psychological theory, and the therapeutic relationship. Graduate students engage in scholarly activities, academic writing, journaling, and art-making to foster reflective practice and learning.

Internship Opportunities and Experiences

Internships are a vital component of art therapy education, providing hands-on experience in clinical settings. Various organizations and centers offer internships to help students gain practical skills and fulfill course requirements.

Art Therapy Studio Internships

Art Therapy Studio in Cleveland, OH, offers internships for individuals seeking to make a difference in the community while gaining necessary experience. Interns and clinical students gain practice in various settings, including the Fairhill Studio and community partner sites.

Clinical I (Site Visit): Information sessions are offered to satisfy site visit course requirements.
Undergraduate/Clinical II: Placements are available for Undergraduate Internship/Clinical II, requiring attendance at an information session.
Internship I/II: Placements are offered for Internships I/II, also requiring attendance at an information session.
Social Justice Internship: This internship provides hands-on experience working with non-profit organizations serving children and adults in Northeast Ohio, focusing on transitional housing facilities, community centers, refugee organizations, veteran programs, addiction treatment centers, and LGBTQ+ programs. Interns may also assist in measuring the impact of art therapy on combating the negative mental health effects of child homelessness.

The MDC Internship Program

The MDC provides one and two-semester placements focusing on supervised training in direct mental health services for students from various academic majors. Work is primarily done in surrounding counties with at-risk clients, from pre-kindergarten through high school. Students are exposed to art, music, animal-assisted, and play therapies, as well as traditional counseling modalities. Students are encouraged to give professional presentations to students, staff, and parents. Mileage for required travel to school districts is reimbursed.

UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Art Therapy Internship

This internship is designed for rising 2nd or 3rd-year art therapy graduate students. Key details include:

Eligibility: Rising 2nd or 3rd-year art therapy graduate students.
Application Period: January to April each year.
Patient Population: Pediatric hospital patients aged 4-25 across all units, including ICU, Cardiac, Oncology, Amplified Pain, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Eating Disorders.
Client Contact: Four weekdays per week, six-hour shifts, primarily individual art therapy at bedside, weekly art therapy groups (in-person and remote), case management with parents, and occasional family therapy.
Supervision: One hour of individual art therapy supervision with an LMFT/ATR, one hour of triadic supervision, and group supervision off-site.
Training: Art therapy-specific trainings, opportunities to work with Music Therapy interns, and Child Life pediatric hospital trainings.
Stipend: No stipend, but access to free accounts with LinkedIn Learning, Adobe Creative Cloud suite, Canva, and GarageBand.
Mandatory Training: UCSF on-boarding (vaccinations, background check, fingerprints, drug-testing) and pre-semester training.

Child and Family Art Therapy Center (CFATC) BetterWorld Internship

The BetterWorld Internship at CFATC is a 9-month, 700+ hour child & adolescent art therapy internship from September through May. It offers outpatient therapy work at CFATC's ACCESSIBLE THERAPY DIVISION, serving underserved populations who cannot afford expensive private-pay art therapy.

Program Overview: Interns see clients on Sundays and two weekdays each week, learning and practicing an innovative outpatient art therapy model, “Individual Child Art Therapy in a Family Systems Context” (ATFS).
Training: Includes 25+ hours of live clinical training seminars, integrating individual child-centered engagement, dynamic case conceptualization, family systems theory, and various psychotherapy theories (CBT, Strength-Based, Person-Centered, Narrative, Solution Focused, Eriksonian Hypnosis principles, ACT, IFS, psychoeducation).
Assessment Procedure: Interns learn a unique ATFS four-session assessment procedure: verbal bio-psycho-social intake interview with parents, family art therapy assessment, individual child art therapy assessment, and parent feedback sessions.
Supervision: Weekly individual art therapy supervision provided by an ATR-BC, LPC art therapist.
Populations Served: CFATC provides individual therapy for challenges such as trauma, anxiety, anger, depression, oppositional behavior, parent-child conflict, and academic and social challenges, with a specialty in treating children with neuro-developmental differences.
Fee Structure: Sliding reduced rate therapy fees, ensuring a token exchange of value for art therapy services.
Applicant Qualifications: Applicants must attend approved/accredited art therapy graduate programs, be academically high achieving, possess excellent communication skills, and demonstrate a passion for working with children and adolescents.
Application Process: Includes a cover letter, CV/resume, writing sample, recommendation letter, and in-person interview.

Gaining Experience and Making a Difference

Art therapy internships offer valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience, work with diverse populations, and contribute to the community. These experiences are essential for developing the skills and confidence needed to become a successful art therapist. By participating in internships, students can apply their knowledge, refine their therapeutic techniques, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Beyond Graduation: Further Steps

After graduating with a master’s degree in art therapy, individuals can pursue further national credentialing and licensure, depending on the state of practice. These credentials demonstrate competence and adherence to professional standards, enhancing career opportunities and credibility.

Read also: Physical Therapy Scholarships

tags: #art #therapy #internships