Online Art Therapy Courses, Classes and Training Information

Art therapy courses are available online, and most courses can be found as part of graduate degree programs. Courses usually have prerequisites for enrollment, including education and art therapy experience. Some courses are available online as part of similar majors; standalone courses can also be taken for continuing education (CE) credits.

Overview of Online Art Therapy Courses

Art therapy is a form of creative expression used in psychological counseling. Art therapists encourage and interpret artistic expression in patients in order to aid healing or understanding of psychological issues and emotions. Fully online courses and programs are limited; some courses may be in hybrid format with on-campus training requirements. Courses are usually offered at post-graduate levels, and students are required to hold at least a bachelor's degree.
Most states require practitioners of psychotherapy to be licensed, and licensing requirements usually necessitate the completion of a related graduate degree along with counseling experience. Online and hybrid courses are usually found as part of a Master of Arts in Art Therapy program or for credit toward continuing education (CE). Broader psychology master's degree programs may also contain a concentration in art therapy, and standalone courses are open for practicing professionals or for those aiming toward registration with the Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc. (ATCB).

Course Requirements

A computer with Internet access is required for online course completion. Streaming media and video is often used for teaching, and assignments may be turned in through e-mail or fax. Some courses require a word processing program for writing papers and submitting short answer assignments; Adobe Reader is necessary for reading PDF files.
Instructors are usually available electronically or by telephone. Hybrid courses require the actual presence of students for supervised training and practice, which can sometimes take several days.

List of Online Courses

Introductory Art Therapy Course

This course covers the history of art therapy and how it came to be used in psychological counseling. Various techniques of art therapy are discussed, including Jungian art therapy and creative writing. The course might address art therapy techniques tailored toward different age groups, such as children or teenagers.

Clinical Art Therapy Course

Art psychotherapy methodology and therapy issues are discussed in this course. Various types of disorders are covered, including developmental and family issues. This course may involve an on-campus practicum component in which observation and participation in counseling sessions utilizing art methods are conducted under faculty supervision.

Assessment Techniques Course

In this course, students learn about the assessment methods and tools used to evaluate patients' responses to expressive therapy. Legal and ethical issues in interpreting and assessing art therapies are another focus.

Group Counseling and Dynamics Course

Group counseling requires variations of treatment methods and processes. This course utilizes case studies and theory-based applications of group counseling in an art therapy context. This course may be offered in hybrid format with on-campus group discussions and possible independent study.