Dear California State Senate and State Assembly Person,
Please accept this letter in support of the profession of art therapy in California. I support the profession of art therapy, and I urge the state to support the professional and ethical practice of art therapy as well.
As a legislator whose constituent families and communities have benefited from art therapy and ongoing support services after a disaster - wildfires, floods, mudslides, shootings - your prominent and impactful voice is crucial.
Art therapy is practiced by mental health clinicians who have at minimum Master's degrees with specific art therapy coursework. Art therapy is a distinct and integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of diverse individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, knowledge of human development, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.
Art therapists are credentialed by the Art Therapy Credentialing Board (ATCB) (www.atcb.org). Today, more than 5,000 art therapists hold credentials with the ATCB. More information on the requirements to become an art therapist can be found by visiting the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) (www.arttherapy.org).
More information on art therapy can also be found through the local California professional organizations: Northern California Art Therapy Association (NorCATA) and Southern California Art Therapy Association (SoCalATA).
I support the profession of art therapy, and I urge our state representatives to support the professional and ethical practice of art therapy as well.
Sincerely,