Art Therapy is a mental health profession that combines the use of art materials (painting, drawing, clay, mixed-media, and photography) with psychotherapy, to encourage self-expression, exploration, and understanding.

Art Therapy differs from other psychotherapies in that it is an action oriented, tangible, and sensory rich experience. The focus is on the process rather than the product.

In my practice, I am very interested in the brain-body connection and how to help individuals access their inner resources and create a felt sense of safety. Engaging in various forms of art making, in the context of psychotherapy, has many demonstrated benefits.

The Canadian Art Therapy Association writes:

     "Art therapists are trained professionals with expertise in             counseling psychology and fine arts.

     In Canada, professional art therapists must have at                     minimum a master’s level diploma or master’s degree                 in art therapy to practice. This graduate level education             includes supervised clinical practicum hours (600 hours             minimum for Canadian art therapy students), thus ensuring       the safety of the client as well as professional liability for             agencies and employers offering this form of therapy.

     A Registered Canadian Art Therapist (RCAT) is a                       Professional Member in good standing that received                   additional training in the profession, clinical supervision (50       hours for 1000 client contact hours) beyond graduation,             displays involvement in the art therapy community and are         experienced in working with a variety of clients in diverse           settings."                             

        Sourced from: 

     https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/what-is-art-therapy