What does an Art Therapist Actually do?
What is an Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a therapeutic treatment involving art for the diagnosis and treatment of physical as well as mental illnesses.
In art therapy, the patient performs a form of art to express his or her mental and physical condition while the counselor analyses and evaluates the outcome in order to diagnose and treat the illness.
Talking about art forms involved, painting and drawing are the most common forms, but, in most cases, it involves a lot of other forms too. A person who is experiencing traumatic stress due to serious conditions such as cancer, depression, autism, dementia benefit from this therapy. In today's hectic and complicated world, stress and depression are alarming concerns for a large group of people.
How to Become an Art Therapist
- Trained in all aspects of art and therapy such as counselling, etc.,
- Studied and excelled in psychology and human development, having earned a master’s degree
- Relevant certifications
Skills required
- Excellent creativity, imagination and enthusiasm
- Maturity, patience and a calm, respectful manner
- Ability to inspire trust and provide an open atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
- A non-judgmental approach and ability to work with people from all walks of life
- Ability to deal with difficult, perhaps painful and embarrassing situations
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and listening skills
- A strong knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of psychotherapy and the role art can play in treatment
- Business skills for private practice
Art therapy in India: Scope
The work of art professionals has not yet grown in India, and the institutions that offer these courses and work with them are rare. An artisan who seeks art can find this lesson in just a few cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai.
Who might benefit from art therapy?
- Individuals who are struggling with frightening memories or upsetting emotions as a result of trauma, combat or abuse.
- Persons with serious medical health conditions or disabilities such as traumatic brain injury, cancer, depression, autism, antisocial personality or dementia.
- Couples attempting to reconcile emotional conflicts.
- Individuals seeking personal growth and increased self-esteem.
- People experiencing stress, anxiety, and other problematic behaviors.
Top companies hiring for art therapist job
In India
- Anantaraa Arts-Based Therapy, Mumbai
- Sankalpa, Pondicherry
- Blissful Mind Therapy Centre, Mumbai
- Abhyaantar Healing Arts, Delhi
Outside India
- Henry Ford Health System
- Children's Health
- Academics West
- Heartsong Music Therapy
- California Department of State Hospitals
- Cooper University Health Care
Average salary
The average art therapy consultant gross income in India is around ₹3 Lacs or an equivalent hourly rate of ₹161.
This job pays a basic salary ranging between $37k and $63k with an average of around $46k (USD). The average bonus an art therapist earns, ranges between $1k and $13k.
Art therapy is a unique and emerging career field, with a demand for professionals who can cater to the world of therapy with their skills of understanding human psychology and its expression through various art forms.
