About Art Therapy

Art Therapy 

Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

                American Art Therapy Association

Art Therapy in Schools

School-based Art Therapists are trained to use art interventions to help students: 

· Recognize basic feelings and emotional triggers

· Express difficult emotions in a safe and contained way

· Focus  and invest  in multi-step tasks

· Identify personal goals and realistic steps to achieve them

· Negotiate social boundaries and pressures

· Recognize personal strengths

· Gain insight on personal barriers to success

· Achieve their academic and social potential

The ultimate goal of school-based art therapy is to allow the student to unction and flourish in the school environment. 

  Art Therapy in the Alton Schools District

Tha Alton School District offers the art therapy services to students K to 12th grade who have an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and have been determined to need additional support to resolve emotional and/or behavioral challenges.

Art therapy is provided  to students in different forms. The art therapists meet with students in individual sessions or small groups.  They also collaborate with social workers and teachers by providing support to students in crisis.

Whenever possible, the Art Therapists work closely with the student and teachers to provide in-school services  during the least academically disruptive time for that particular student.

Art Therapy Students in the High School Setting are given the unique opportunity to connect with and give back to their larger  community by participating in The Art Therapist Lead intergenerational groups at the Local Nursing Home.

Alton Middle School Students who receive art therapy have participated In Reach-out programs including starting School-Wide Social Dialogue Art Pieces and participating in an international art exchange with kids living in orphanages in Africa.

All of the students in art therapy participate in an annual art exhibit where their work is presented along with other youth who use art therapeutically.

Who is an art therapist

 Art therapists are master level professionals trained in both art and counseling techniques.

Art therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media) for assessment and treatment.

Many art therapy graduate programs are designed to meet current state counseling standards qualifying graduates to pursue state licensure as a counselor.