Art therapy is for all ages: children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Art therapy is used with groups, families or individually.
Art therapists are masters level professionals who hold a degree in art therapy or a related field. Educational requirements include: theories of art therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy; ethics and standards of practice; assessment and evaluation; individual, group, and family techniques; human and creative development; multicultural issues; research methods; and practicum experiences in clinical, community, and/or other settings. Art therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media) for assessment and treatment. In the State of Maryland, the art therapy profession is (as of October, 2012) regulated and afforded title protection by licensure, which also grants art therapists diagnostic and assessment privileges. Please see our Legislative Action page for more information.
Approximately 200 Art Therapists work in Maryland in settings ranging from the National Institute of Health to the public school system. The Maryland Art Therapy Association was founded to support the profession and ensure the highest quality of care. In Maryland, Art Therapists are currently providing services to clients at:
Arundel Lodge
Foundation School
Katherine Thomas School
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Good Samaritan Hospital of Baltimore
Hearts and Homes for Youth
National Institute of Health
Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health System
Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents
Rita Project, Inc.
Riverside Treatment Services
Sheppard Pratt Health System
Springfield Hospital
Washington Adventists Hospital
YMCA of Central Maryland
In Washington, DC:
Children’s National Medical Center
Georgetown Hospital/Lombardi Center
IONA Senior Services
Miriam’s Kitchen
McClendon Center
Psychiatric Institute of Washington
Walter Reed Army Medical Clinic
Whitman Walker Clinic
Our bill was signed into law on May 29, 2012. (Here’s a photo of our very own Liz with Governor Martin O’Malley as he applied his signature: Bill Signing)
Art therapists meeting the standards to be licensed under the LCPAT designation (Licensed Clinical Professional Art Therapist) will have all the privileges and responsibilities afforded by state licensure. The corresponding law will go into effect in October 2012, so it behooves art therapists, students, related professionals, local institutions and agencies, and consumers, to get to know the LCPAT now.
A version of the House of Delegates bill resulting in the new law is available to view and download at: http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/hb/hb1207t.pdf
LCPAT FAQs
1. What is the LCPAT and how will it affect me?
LCPAT stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Art Therapist. It is a professional license for Maryland art therapists under the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. The LCPAT regulates who can practice art therapy in the state of Maryland.
2. Who is eligible for the LCPAT?
Any art therapist who graduated from an AATA accredited master’s program with 60 credits is eligible. The Art Therapy Board Certification exam is the required exam for licensure.
3. What are the requirements for the LCPAT?
- 60 credit master’s degree from an AATA approved school
- 3000 client contact hours (2000 of which are accumulated post graduation.)
- ATCB Board Certification
4. Is there a graduate level license?
Yes. An art therapist is eligible for the LGPAT if they have completed a 60 credit , AATA approved Master’s program and are receiving supervision from a LCPAT or other licensed mental health professional. Once an art therapist has fulfilled the required 3000 contact hours and passed the BC exam, they can obtain the LCPAT.
5. Is there a “grandfathering” period and what does that require?
Yes. From October 1, 2012 through October 1 2014, certain art therapists will be able to be “grandfathered” in to the LCPAT. This option is available to any board certified Maryland art therapist who has a minimum of three years postgraduate work as an full time art therapist. Documentation of work experience and board certification must be included in application.
6. Do all 60 credits need to be from an AATA-approved program ?
Yes, they do. AATA accreditation keeps educational requirements consistent.
7. Will the LCPAT be recognized by insurance companies?
Hopefully. This is our next big step, which will require additional manpower and potentially more legislative action.
8. How do I apply for the license and when can I do so?
The license goes into effect on October 1, 2012. By that date, applicants can visit http://dhmh.maryland.gov/bopc/SitePages/Home.aspx where there will be a new section for applying for the LCPAT or LGPAT. An art therapist will sit on the board and review art therapist applications. MATA will send out an email when the information becomes available online
9. Can I hold both an LCPC and a LCPAT?
Absolutely. if you already have the LCPC or are working towards it, you can certainly keep that license. However, the LCPAT will be required to practice art therapy by October 2014.
10. I already have the LCPC and I took the NCE. Do I still need to take the BC exam for the LCPAT?
Yes. The LCPAT is an art therapy specific license and as such, it is important that the BC exam be the standard that is used. We are working with the ATCB to have the BC exam offered this July in Baltimore in addition to the other cities where it is offered.
11. What is included in the LCPAT scope of practice?
The definition of an LCPAT was written to have parity with the other licenses under the Board. According to legislation, LCPATs will use art therapy for diagnosis, prevention, treatment and amelioration of psychological and emotional or mental conditions.
12. Does this include title protection?
Yes! By regulating the practice of art therapy at a state level, those practicing and advertising themselves as art therapists will have to be licensed as an LCPAT or LGPAT. This means that individuals with no art therapy background will no longer be able to call themselves art therapists.
Description of duties include: Plans, structures, coordinates, executes and evaluates art psychotherapy sessions for patients in assigned program/unit based on the specific needs and diagnosis of the adolescent. Evaluates and records patients’ progress in the medical record, contributes verbal and art information in treatment team meetings regarding patients’ progress. Conducts orientation and in-service programs in art therapy for students and staff. Potential Art Therapist must be able to attend a 7 day mandatory orientation, Thurs., Fri. and the following week (excluding Sat. & Sun.) Mon. - Fri. *This is a non-benefit per diem position with no guaranteed hours. To apply and learn more, review Employment at Sheppard Pratt.
]]>Deadline for submissions has been extended to January 26th, 2012. Please see the attached link for prospectus.
This exhibit will be displayed at the Amalie Rothschild Gallery (of The Creative Alliance), February 2nd- 18th, 2012, including an Opening Reception on Friday, February 3rd at 5:30-7:30PM
Questions can be directed to Jessica I. Heckwolf: Jessica.heckwolf@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 24th @ 2:00 pm at the Chapel at Fairhaven located in Sykesville, MD.
Website below for directions.
Ms. Neff may be reached at 301-387-7387 if anyone has any questions.
Dr. Aina O. Nucho is a professor emeriti from the University of Maryland School of Social Work where she taught graduate level courses in clinical methods with individuals, families, and groups. She also taught human behavior, social research, stress management and art therapy. She retired from the School of Social Work in June, 2001. Dr. Nucho obtained her primary and secondary education in Riga, Latvia, and later she studied at the University of Tuebingen in Germany. Dr. Nucho holds a graduate degree in social work and a Ph.D. degree, both from Bryn Mawr College. She was a Distinguished Fellow and a recipient of the 2000 Ernst Kris Prize of the American Society of Psychopathology of Expression, a Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work (BCD), a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ASCW), a licensed clinical social worker in the State of Maryland (LCSW-C), and a registered art therapist (ATR). Dr. Nucho is the author of Stress Management: The Quest for Zest (1988) and Spontaneous Creative Imagery: Problem-Solving and Life-Enhancing Skills (1995), both published by Charles C Thomas, Springfield, IL, and five books in Latvian. She has published articles in professional journals and has presented papers at national and international conferences.
Aina will be missed.
Our next member meeting is going to be Tuesday, August 10 at 7:30. Please email for more information if you would like to attend.
Deadline for submissions is May 20, 2010
]]>