I will soon introduce legislation to create a standardized licensing process for art therapists in Pennsylvania.

Art therapy is a well-established treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Through creative expression, patients are able process emotions in ways that complement traditional methods, often gaining additional benefits like improved self-esteem, greater self-awareness, and enhanced cognitive function.

However, many Pennsylvanians cannot access these benefits because the state lacks a licensure system to validate professional credentials and ensure practitioners have the specialized training needed for safe, effective care.

Without licensure, insurance providers generally can’t cover art therapy services, making treatment unaffordable for most. Moreover, a lack of state licensing hurts the public’s ability to reliably identify competent providers.

With six graduate programs in the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania-trained art therapists are poised to have a big impact on the mental health crisis. Unfortunately, practitioners are leaving to neighboring states with licensing frameworks already in place.

Our legislation will establish a licensure pathway and bring Pennsylvania in line with the growing number of states that formally recognize art therapy as a regulated mental health profession.

I invite you to join me in championing this measure to expand treatment options, keep trained art therapy professionals in Pennsylvania, and help ensure all Pennsylvanians can benefit from the healing power of art therapy.