Frequently Asked Questions
Art Therapy and Arts in Health
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Art therapy is a mental health profession that combines creative expression with psychological support to help people explore emotions, reduce stress, and foster personal growth.
In the U.S., becoming an art therapist requires:
Completing a graduate degree in art therapy
Completing 1,500+ hours of supervised clinical training
Earning professional credentials such as ATR (Registered Art Therapist) and ATR-BC (Board-Certified Art Therapist) through the Art Therapy Credentials Board
Meeting state licensure requirements (where applicable) to independently practice.
This ensures that art therapists are both clinically trained and artistically grounded, holding a dual expertise in psychology and the arts.
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Requirements for practicing art therapy vary worldwide. Always check the laws and guidelines in your country to understand how art therapy is regulated.
If art therapy does not yet exist as a profession where you live, we encourage you to reach out to us. Together, we can explore how to ethically implement arts-based health initiatives within your current system, while also raising awareness and advocating for art therapy as a profession.
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Arts in health uses creative practices in community, healthcare, and educational settings to enhance well-being, connection, and quality of life. Unlike art therapy, arts in health is not psychotherapy, but it can have a powerful impact on resilience, healing, and community building.
At Art Therapy Lab, we hold space for both. We integrate art therapy expertise with arts-in-health models while remaining mindful of the ethics of community care, especially when working with vulnerable populations. By opening dialogue between these fields, we aim to reduce stigma, increase access, and expand the role of art in global health and wellness.
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Some of our offerings are facilitated by a licensed art therapist (Julia Volonts), while others are creative workshops designed for exploration, connection, and community.
While therapeutic in nature, our programs are not a substitute for individual therapy or medical treatment. Instead, they draw on art therapy expertise and arts-in-health practices to foster emotional resilience, community support, and inclusion through creativity.
If you are in crisis, please call your local emergency number.
In the U.S., dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
For international hotlines, visit findahelpline.com.
Getting Involved
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Art Therapy Lab is currently a small, grassroots platform run by founder Julia Volonts. We do not have staff positions or formal internships at this time. If you are interested in connecting, we recommend joining a group or workshop, applying for the residency, or exploring our mentorship program. These are the best ways to engage, learn, and grow alongside us.
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We invite collaborations with art therapists, artists, and organizations that share our interest in creativity, care, and community.
If you would like to propose a project or workshop, please reach out through our Collaboration Inquiry form. We will review whether our objectives align and, if so, work with you to explore possibilities for co-facilitation, community partnerships, or funding opportunities.
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As a small platform that continues to grow through collaboration and care, we welcome support from those who share our interest in expanding access to art therapy and arts in health.
If you would like to support our work, you can co-create with us by sponsoring a program, workshop, or pilot project. Sponsorship makes it possible for us to keep programs accessible and expand opportunities.
If you are unable to sponsor, you can still support us by sharing our work, joining our programs, and helping spread the word. Thank you for being with us as we grow!
Programs
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Program fees vary depending on the type of offering. Virtual groups and workshops are usually offered at an individual session rate, while longer-term opportunities like the residency or mentorship program may have a flat program fee.
Whenever possible, we apply for culture grants or seek other funding to help keep programs accessible. Some initiatives may be offered at low or no cost.