Art Therapy in Indiana
PROFESSION · EDUCATION · WORKFORCE
Art therapy in Indiana
A clear view of the profession in Indiana.
Definitions
What distinguishes professional art therapy
Professional art therapy is distinct because it is practiced by a trained art therapist within a professional therapeutic relationship and defined professional scope.
Art therapy is a mental health profession that integrates creative process and art-making with psychological knowledge and human experience.
Creative process + art-making
Creative processes and art-making can support expression, reflection, regulation, connection, recreation, meaning, communication, and wellness without becoming professional art therapy.
Art therapy
Creative processes and art-making are integrated with psychological knowledge, ethics, professional relationship, assessment, treatment planning, and clinical purpose as applicable to the work.
The art therapy continuum
Art therapy can be supportive, relational, exploratory, skills-oriented, trauma-responsive, or treatment-focused. Creative process may include image-making, working with materials, reflection, conversation, movement between modes of expression, or other forms of engagement within the art therapy relationship.
Practice range
Where art therapy is practiced and what the work can address
Art therapy is practiced across mental health, medical, neurological, rehabilitation, educational, community, and private-practice settings. The work varies with population, setting, competencies, professional role, and legal scope.
Becoming an art therapist
Indiana graduate education
Art therapy is a graduate-level profession. Indiana currently has three graduate programs preparing students for professional art therapy practice.
Graduate programs
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary-of-the-WoodsMaster of Arts in Art Therapy with an Emphasis in Counseling.
CAAHEP accredited upon the recommendation of ACATE. Current status: Probationary Accreditation, effective July 2025.
Herron School of Art + Design
IU IndianapolisMaster of Arts in Art Therapy.
CAAHEP accredited upon the recommendation of ACATE.
University of Indianapolis
IndianapolisMaster of Arts in Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy Track.
CAAHEP accredited upon the recommendation of ACATE.
Accreditation status and program requirements can change. Confirm current information with CAAHEP and the individual program.
Professional systems
Which body answers which question
CAAHEP + ACATE
CAAHEP accredits art therapy education programs upon the recommendation of ACATE.
ATCB
Current national credentials include ATR-P, ATR, ATR-BC, and ATCS.
AATA
The American Art Therapy Association is the national professional membership association. It does not issue ATCB credentials or state licenses.
State licensure
An art therapist may also hold another state-regulated mental health license.
LMHCA → LMHC
For graduates who meet Indiana counseling requirements, LMHCA is the associate-level license. LMHC requires qualifying post-degree experience and the required examination.
Check the issuing body
Verify program accreditation through CAAHEP, art therapy credentials through ATCB, and Indiana professional licenses through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Workforce context
Federal recognition and Indiana workforce data are not the same measure
O*NET identifies Art Therapists as occupation 29-1129.01. State-level Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics use the broader 29-1129 Therapists, All Other category, so Indiana estimates do not isolate art therapists.
Indiana licensure
Indiana does not currently issue an independent art therapy license
Indiana has considered art therapy licensure in multiple General Assembly sessions. In 2023, Senate Bill 338 advanced art and music therapy licensure, passed the Indiana Senate, and did not become law.
Represent the art therapy workforce accurately in Indiana professional, healthcare, and policy conversations.
Support title protection so Hoosiers can identify who is qualified to provide art therapy.
Create resources that help Hoosiers and Indiana systems locate credential, verification, and professional information.
Continue building professional, organizational, constituent, and legislative support for independent licensure.
Employers + professional partners
Art therapy information for Indiana organizations and professional systems
IndiATA provides information for employers, healthcare and education systems, community organizations, interdisciplinary professionals, policymakers, and others working with or seeking to understand professional art therapy. IndiATA does not determine an individual professional’s scope of practice.
Hospitals, rehabilitation, behavioral health, physician groups, and interdisciplinary care.
K–12 schools, colleges, universities, student services, special education, and professional training.
Nonprofits, community mental health, disability services, older-adult care, and public health.
Employers, workforce planners, legislators, agencies, associations, and cross-sector partners.
For the public
Find an art therapist in Indiana
IndiATA is a professional membership association, not a matching service. Use the dedicated Art Therapist Locator for directory options, credential information, verification pathways, and questions to ask when contacting a professional.
Directory participation, ATCB credentials, and state licenses are separate records. Verify the professional information that applies, then contact clinicians directly.