Also called: Creative Arts Therapist
Uses art-making to help people cope with trauma, illness, and mental health challenges.
An art therapist might work with a child in a hospital drawing their feelings, or with veterans using painting to process PTSD. They plan sessions, observe the art and the process, and track progress. They work in hospitals, schools, and private practice.
Estimate based on BLS therapists, all other.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Master's in art therapy plus credential (ATR-BC) and often state license.
Ways in: Graduate school, Certification. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Art Therapy, Psychology, Studio Art.
Growing faster than average. Growing demand for mental health services.
Low risk for 10 years. AI may help with notes and screening; building trust with clients through art-making stays human.
Classes: AP Psychology, AP Studio Art, Biology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1129.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.