What do I need to get started with art therapy sessions?

Getting started with art therapy? Here are my thoughts on what you might need!

First, the most important part of participating in art therapy is establishing a relationship with a qualified art therapist. You will want to look for someone who is a registered art therapist through the Art Therapy Credentials Board, a national organization who regulates the practice of art therapy in the US. Someone holding these credentials would represent themselves as ATR-P, ATR, or ATR-BC. Additionally, the state where you reside may have a state art therapy license. In Maryland (where I live) you would search for someone with an LGPAT or LCPAT. In other states, art therapists may hold a different license, but they should always hold a Master’s degree in Art Therapy. Other clinicians may offer art therapy as part of their services, but please be aware that without a specialized degree this person is not considered an art therapist.

Next, you may want to consider if you’d like in-person or telehealth art therapy. While these may be different experiences, both can be highly beneficial! As a telehealth art therapist, I am always finding new ways to adapt and develop online art therapy to meet the needs of each client I work with. When getting started, you can always ask your art therapist what online art therapy might look like with them, because everyone has their own approach and way of doing things.

If you’re receiving in-person art therapy services, your therapist will most likely provide the necessary materials for in-session. For telehealth art therapy, you may want to get set up with some art supplies of your own.

When showing up for an online session, I recommend having a notebook or sketchbook nearby to take notes or doodle throughout session. If and when we decide to make art in session, you’ll be ready to jump right in!

You may be wondering, do I need to purchase a bunch of brand new art materials to start art therapy? The answer is no, unless you want to! The good news is that art therapy can be started with simple supplies, such as a pen/pencil and piece of paper. However, I usually recommend having something on hand to dive in deeper. Here is a list of supplies that may be helpful to have:

Must Haves

• Pen or pencil

• Paper

Should Haves

• Colored pencils

• Markers

• Sketchbook and/or notebook

• Oil pastels or Craypas

Good-to Haves

• Paint (watercolors, tempera, acrylic- all good options)

• Brushes

• Collage materials/images

• Glue

• Air-dry clay or model magic

• Old/used book for altered book making

• Watercolor paper

• Canvas boards

If you’re a resident of Maryland and interested in getting started with art therapy, reach out today to find out if we might be a good fit! You can fill out my contact form here or email me at elizabeth@findcreativepathways.com. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to discuss your needs and help you get started.

Elizabeth Allen, LCPAT, LGPC, ATR-BC

Creative Pathways Counseling LLC