Art Therapists
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.
Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients' physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $34K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $43K
Median Salary: $57K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $76K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $96K
Demand
Core Tasks
Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to art therapy.
Design art therapy sessions or programs to meet client's goals or objectives.
Conduct art therapy sessions, providing guided self-expression experiences to help clients recover from, or cope with, cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments.
Assess client needs or disorders, using drawing, painting, sculpting, or other artistic processes.
Confer with other professionals on client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.
Talk with clients during art or other therapy sessions to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to the artistic process.
Develop individualized treatment plans that incorporate studio art therapy, counseling, or psychotherapy techniques.
Write treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
Select or prepare artistic media or related equipment or devices to accomplish therapy session objectives.
Analyze or synthesize client data to draw conclusions or make recommendations for art therapy.
Interpret the artistic creations of clients to assess their functioning, needs, or progress.
Communicate client assessment findings and recommendations in oral, written, audio, video, or other forms.
Customize art therapy programs for specific client populations, such as those in schools, nursing homes, wellness centers, prisons, shelters, or hospitals.
Establish goals or objectives for art therapy sessions in consultation with clients or site administrators.
Recommend or purchase needed art supplies or equipment.
Supervise staff, volunteers, practicum students, or interns.
Gather client information from sources such as case documentation, client observation, or interviews of client or family members.
Instruct individuals or groups in the use of art media, such as paint, clay, or yarn.
Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of treatments or therapy approaches.
Review research or literature in art therapy, psychology, or related disciplines.
Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops for other professionals, potential client groups, or the general community.
Teach art therapy techniques or processes to artists, interns, volunteers, or others.
Photograph or videotape client artwork for inclusion in client records or for promotional purposes.
Coordinate art showcases to display artwork produced by clients.
Coordinate field trips for client groups to museums or other public displays of art.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Psychology
100%
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Therapy and Counseling
100%
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Fine Arts
92%
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Sociology and Anthropology
83%
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Customer and Personal Service
82%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education and Training
74%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
72%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Philosophy and Theology
64%
Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Clerical
59%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Public Safety and Security
57%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Top 10 Skills
Social Perceptiveness
85%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening
80%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
80%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
78%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
78%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
78%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
78%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Learning
75%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Service Orientation
75%
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing
73%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Top 10 Abilities
Near Vision
80%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension
80%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
80%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
80%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech Clarity
80%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Written Comprehension
80%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Deductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Speech Recognition
78%
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Expression
78%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Top 10 Work Activities
Thinking Creatively
97%
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Assisting and Caring for Others
95%
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
90%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Documenting/Recording Information
89%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
89%
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Getting Information
86%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
84%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
84%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Coaching and Developing Others
82%
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
82%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Detailed Work Activities
Analyze quantitative data to determine effectiveness of treatments or therapies.
Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
Evaluate patient outcomes to determine effectiveness of treatments.
Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
Treat patients using psychological therapies.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Develop treatment plans that use non-medical therapies.
Establish treatment goals.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Record patient medical histories.
Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.
Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
Communicate health and wellness information to the public.
Gather medical information from patient histories.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Order medical supplies or equipment.
Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
Select medical equipment for addressing patient needs.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Train caregivers or other non-medical personnel.
Work Context
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Structured versus Unstructured Work
To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
Education
Majors based on the broader career Therapists, All Other
Major
Interests
Social
100%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
96%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Investigative
58%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
39%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
24%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Realistic
19%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Concern for Others
100%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Integrity
99%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability
97%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Self Control
96%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
95%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Social Orientation
94%
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Adaptability/Flexibility
92%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Cooperation
91%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative
89%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
87%
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Work Values
Relationships
100%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Achievement
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
65%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Support
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
