If you decide to obtain art therapy treatment in the Commonwealth, there is no way to know if the individual offering this treatment has the required training.

There are approximately 600 individuals in Pennsylvania offering some type of art therapy.  Art therapy is a distinct mental health and behavioral science profession that combines knowledge and understanding of human development, psychological and counseling theories, and techniques with training in visual art and the creative process.  Art therapy is used in order to provide a unique approach for helping clients improve psychological health, cognitive abilities, and sensory-motor functions.

While art therapists share elements of their training and practice with other mental health specialties, it is the combining of psychological knowledge and counseling skills along with an understanding of art media, the effect of art stimulus, and the creative process that distinguishes art therapy from other mental health treatments.  

 

 

My legislation would amend the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, (Act 39 of 1987) to create a Licensed Art Therapist licensure that ensures these individuals have the necessary training.

 

Last session, I partnered with Senator Rosemary Brown on this issue.  I understand she also plans to introduce a similar measure in the current legislative session and I look forward to working with her office to get this legislation signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro.  

Several other states provide licensure for art therapists.  It is time for our state to begin recognizing these professionals for their unique skill set, while providing our constituents with the peace of mind that these individuals truly provide the care they are seeking for their loved ones.

Please support this effort to provide a standard licensing process for all art therapists in the Commonwealth.