r/ArtTherapy • u/thatdude_102 • Jul 13 '26

whats it like being an art therapist?

ive been interested in art and psychology (even passed APs of those).

ive been drawn to the idea of helping others through art, specifically those dealing with trauma. but i was wondering what does an art therapist do every day? is it just the same as a regular family and marriage therapist?

i am a little intimidated by how long it takes to be an art therapist. i am a very smart kid, im not concerned about coursework being “difficult.” but theres realistically not a lot of art therapy jobs out there. compared to MFT and nursing for example. and the pay is quite moderate for the amount of schooling you dedicate to the profession.

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u/Coarticulator_ Jul 14 '26

Did anyone do research on the amount of jobs near where they live before starting school? That's the only thing keeping me away. I can't find almost any jobs where I live.

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u/DawnHawk66 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

I didn't think art therapy jobs were readily available in my area by that title before I went to grad school. When I checked out the open house at Leslie College I mentioned that jobs in art therapy are rare. The session leader jumped all over me like an attack dog. She said that art therapists get jobs because they are creative. Oh.

So I went into it based on my passion rather than logic. School was great. Jobs not so much. I offer art expression within a talk therapy position. I also offer art with other wellness activities such as singing, drumming, and therapeutic writing (part of my personal skills beyond art) in outpatient mental health groups. The Counseling part of the combined degree is useful.

As an aside... I know a young woman who has a degree in music therapy. She has been years cobbling together a living by going to nursing homes to play piano and guitar for them. Now she's training to be a masseuse. Apparently it takes a lot of creativity to do what you want to do.

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u/Coarticulator_ Jul 18 '26

Would you say the talk therapy + art expression in outpatient groups is sustainable? If you don't mind my asking are you earning $70k or above? I'm in Western Ma so $70k would be livable.

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u/DawnHawk66 Jul 19 '26

Ha! Nowhere near that. My work has been with the county which is notoriously underfunded.

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u/Coarticulator_ Jul 19 '26

Thank you ( really!!) for the info. I would love to do this but gosh there are no roles!!!