Art therapy programs teach students how to use art to promote the physical, mental, and emotional health of patients. Students learn drawing, painting, and other forms of art. They also learn psychology and counseling techniques.

Most of us have had moments of frustration, perhaps so intense that we imagine banging our fists against the wall. (Or actually do it, ouch!) Often in times such as these people turn to therapists to help them understand their problems and learn to cope with life's stresses. An innovative form of psychotherapy is art therapy. Art therapy programs use art and creativity to help patients express their emotions. For example, art therapists may ask patients to draw or paint a picture of what they're feeling. The belief behind art therapy is that the creative process is a healthy and productive way to resolve emotional conflicts.

In art therapy programs, your course work focuses on both art and psychology. You take courses in psychopathology, mental illnesses, and counseling techniques.
You also take art classes in several different mediums. This can include pottery, drawing, and painting, to name a few. You then take courses that show how to combine evaluation, counseling, and art to treat patients effectively. Overall, you become a skilled therapist as well as a skilled artist. This allows you to help patients grow creatively and emotionally.

With a degree in art therapy, you can work in private practice, hospitals, or nursing homes. You can also work for community, rehabilitation, or outpatient centers. Many art therapists work in prisons and schools.

Several four-year colleges and universities offer undergraduate programs in art therapy. However, most people get a master's degree in art therapy after completing their bachelor's degree. About 25 schools offer master's degrees in art therapy. Typically they take two years to complete.

In addition, a few programs offer doctoral degrees in art therapy. These usually take three to five years to complete after you finish your master's. Most people with doctorates become professors.