What's an Art Therapist? A Complete Guide to Creative Healthcare Careers

If you've ever wondered what's an art therapist, you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions I see from people exploring non-traditional healthcare careers — and honestly, it's one of my favorite topics to write about. Art therapy sits at a fascinating intersection of clinical mental health practice and creative expression, and it's a career path that's growing in both demand and recognition. Whether you're a student mapping out your future, a healthcare professional considering a career pivot, or simply curious about how creativity fits into patient care, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about art therapy and several related creative healthcare careers, including animal health and behavior degree jobs and how to become a medical illustrator.

We built healthcareers.app because we believe healthcare careers extend far beyond the traditional roles most people think of. Art therapists, medical illustrators, animal behaviorists — these professionals play vital roles in health and healing, and they deserve the same career guidance and job-seeking resources as nurses and physicians. So let's dive in.

What's an Art Therapist? Defining the Role

An art therapist is a licensed mental health professional who uses creative processes — painting, drawing, sculpting, collage, and other art forms — as therapeutic tools to help clients explore emotions, develop self-awareness, manage behavior, reduce anxiety, and process trauma. It's important to understand that art therapy isn't simply "doing crafts" in a clinical setting. It's an evidence-based practice grounded in psychological theory, and art therapists undergo rigorous clinical training.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapists work with individuals of all ages, from children dealing with developmental challenges to veterans coping with PTSD to elderly patients navigating cognitive decline. The art-making process itself becomes a vehicle for communication, especially for clients who struggle to express themselves through words alone.

I've spoken with dozens of art therapists over the years, and what strikes me most is how they describe their work as both deeply clinical and profoundly human. They conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, document progress, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams — all while using creativity as their primary therapeutic modality.

Where Do Art Therapists Work?

Art therapists practice in a wide range of settings, which is one of the things that makes this career so appealing. Common workplaces include:

• Hospitals and medical centers — supporting patients through cancer treatment, recovery from surgery, or chronic illness management
• Psychiatric facilities and behavioral health centers — working with patients experiencing depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders
• Schools and special education programs — helping children with autism, learning disabilities, or emotional disturbances
• Rehabilitation centers — assisting individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries or strokes
• Private practice — offering individual, group, or family art therapy sessions
• Community organizations and nonprofits — providing services to underserved populations, refugees, and trauma survivors
• Senior living and memory care facilities — using art to slow cognitive decline and improve quality of life

This variety means art therapists can shape their career around the populations and settings that resonate most with them personally and professionally.

How to Become an Art Therapist: Education and Licensing Requirements

Becoming an art therapist requires a significant educational commitment, but the path is clearly defined. Here's what you'll need:

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Most aspiring art therapists start with a bachelor's degree in art, psychology, counseling, or a related field. Some universities offer specific pre-art therapy tracks. Regardless of your major, you'll want a strong foundation in both studio art and psychology coursework.

Step 2: Complete a Master's Degree in Art Therapy

A master's degree is the minimum educational requirement for professional practice. Programs approved by the American Art Therapy Association typically require 60 graduate credits, including supervised clinical practicum and internship hours — usually totaling 600 to 1,000 hours of direct client contact. Coursework covers psychopathology, human development, group therapy, ethics, multicultural competency, and art therapy theory and techniques.

Step 3: Obtain Credentials and Licensure

After earning your master's degree, you can pursue the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential through the Art Therapy Credentials Board by completing supervised postgraduate clinical hours. With additional experience, you can earn the ATR-BC (Board Certified) designation by passing a national examination. Many states also require a separate state license to practice — often a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or equivalent credential — so it's essential to check your state's specific requirements.

Art Therapist Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics at bls.gov, art therapists are classified under the broader category of recreational therapists or, in many cases, under marriage and family therapists and counselors. The median annual wage for recreational therapists was approximately $52,930 as of recent data, though art therapists with board certification and clinical licensure working in metropolitan areas or private practice often earn between $50,000 and $75,000 or more. The BLS projects steady growth for therapeutic and counseling occupations over the next decade, driven by increased recognition of mental health needs across all demographics.

Related Creative Healthcare Careers Worth Exploring

If the concept of blending creativity with healthcare excites you, art therapy isn't your only option. I want to highlight two other fascinating career paths that often come up in conversations with our users on healthcareers.app.

Animal Health and Behavior Degree Jobs

For those who are passionate about the connection between animals and human well-being, animal health and behavior degree jobs offer a unique career trajectory within the broader healthcare ecosystem. Graduates with degrees in animal health and behavior can pursue roles such as:

• Animal-assisted therapy facilitator — working alongside licensed therapists to incorporate trained animals into treatment plans for patients with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, or physical rehabilitation needs
• Veterinary behaviorist — diagnosing and treating behavioral disorders in animals, often requiring additional veterinary medical training
• Research scientist in animal behavior — studying animal cognition, stress responses, and human-animal interactions at universities or research institutions
• Animal welfare officer or program coordinator — developing and overseeing programs that promote ethical treatment and behavioral enrichment in shelter, zoo, or sanctuary settings
• Equine-assisted therapy specialist — using horses in therapeutic interventions for individuals with trauma, anxiety, or physical disabilities

Animal-assisted therapy, in particular, has gained significant traction in healthcare settings. Research published through the National Institutes of Health at nih.gov has documented measurable reductions in cortisol levels, blood pressure, and self-reported anxiety in patients who participate in animal-assisted interventions. If you have a background in animal science and a passion for therapeutic work, this field offers meaningful career opportunities that bridge animal health with human health outcomes.

How to Become a Medical Illustrator

Another creative healthcare career that fascinates many of our users is medical illustration. If you're wondering how to become a medical illustrator, here's what you should know: medical illustrators are highly trained visual communicators who create anatomically accurate artwork for textbooks, surgical guides, patient education materials, legal exhibits, pharmaceutical marketing, and interactive digital media.

The path to becoming a medical illustrator typically involves:

1. A bachelor's degree in art, biology, or a related field — with a strong portfolio demonstrating both artistic skill and scientific understanding
2. A master's degree in medical illustration — currently offered by a small number of accredited programs in the United States, including programs at Johns Hopkins University, Augusta University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. These graduate programs are rigorous and competitive, combining advanced anatomy coursework (often including cadaver dissection), digital media training, and professional practice seminars.
3. Certification through the Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators (BCMI) — while not always required, certification demonstrates professional competency and can enhance job prospects

Medical illustrators earn a median salary of approximately $63,000 to $80,000 annually, with experienced professionals in specialized fields like surgical animation or pharmaceutical visualization earning well over six figures. According to the Association of Medical Illustrators, demand has increased alongside advances in digital health platforms, telemedicine education, and 3D printing technologies used in surgical planning.

I find it incredibly rewarding to highlight careers like medical illustration because they prove that artistic talent has a genuine and critical place in healthcare. If you can draw a heart and understand how it functions at a physiological level, the healthcare industry needs you.

What These Creative Healthcare Careers Have in Common

Whether you're drawn to art therapy, animal-assisted therapeutic work, or medical illustration, these careers share several important qualities:

• They require specialized education. None of these paths are casual — they demand graduate-level training, clinical or professional experience, and often credentialing or certification.
• They combine technical skill with empathy. Art therapists need clinical counseling skills. Medical illustrators need anatomical precision. Animal health professionals need deep understanding of behavior and welfare. But all of them must also communicate effectively and care deeply about outcomes.
• They are growing in recognition and demand. As healthcare continues to evolve toward holistic, patient-centered models, creative professionals are increasingly valued as essential members of care teams.
• They offer flexibility. From hospital settings to freelance work, from research labs to private practices, these careers allow professionals to design work lives that align with their values and interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an art therapist and an art teacher?

This is one of the most common questions I encounter. An art therapist is a licensed mental health clinician who uses art as a therapeutic tool to address psychological, emotional, and behavioral challenges. An art teacher educates students in artistic techniques and creative skills. While both roles involve art, an art therapist has clinical training in psychotherapy, conducts assessments, and develops treatment plans — responsibilities that require graduate-level education and state licensure.

Can you become an art therapist with an art degree?

Yes, a bachelor's degree in art is a perfectly valid starting point. However, you'll need to supplement it with psychology and counseling coursework either during your undergraduate years or as prerequisites before entering a master's program in art therapy. The master's degree is non-negotiable for professional practice and credentialing.

What animal health and behavior degree jobs pay the most?

Veterinary behaviorists — who hold both a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and board certification in behavioral medicine — tend to earn the highest salaries in this field, often exceeding $100,000 annually. Research scientists at well-funded institutions and experienced equine-assisted therapy practitioners in private practice can also earn competitive salaries. Entry-level roles such as animal welfare coordinators typically start lower but offer meaningful career growth.

How long does it take to become a medical illustrator?

Plan for approximately six to seven years of post-secondary education: four years for a bachelor's degree and two to three years for a master's degree in medical illustration. Some professionals enter the field after completing shorter certificate programs, but accredited master's programs remain the gold standard and are strongly preferred by employers.

Is art therapy covered by insurance?

In many cases, yes. When art therapy is provided by a licensed mental health professional — such as someone holding an LPC, LMHC, or equivalent state license in addition to their ATR-BC credential — sessions can often be billed to insurance under mental health counseling codes. Coverage varies by state and insurer, so it's always wise for practitioners and patients to verify benefits in advance.

Final Thoughts: Your Creative Skills Belong in Healthcare

Understanding what's an art therapist is just the beginning. The healthcare industry is vast, and it needs creative minds just as much as it needs clinical ones. Whether you're drawn to helping patients heal through art, advancing human health through animal-assisted interventions, or bringing medical concepts to life through stunning visual communication, there's a meaningful career path waiting for you. I encourage you to explore the job listings and career resources on healthcareers.app — we're here to help you find work that aligns with your skills, your passions, and your desire to make a difference in people's lives.