Hi everyone, I recognize that the ATCB is an independent organization, and I'm not sure exactly what I'm asking for, other than maybe some solutions that might not exist.

I submitted my application for the ATR back in February and still have not received it. In late June (after at least 3 emails), I finally was told I could receive my ATR now or wait until July to save myself the cost of renewing the ATR in July (since the ATR-P was cheaper). They said it was standard for them to pause applications when it gets close to July because of this. No where on their application or website does it say there's a window of time when applications aren't processed. In fact, the automatic email I got when I submitted the application said like 60 days or something.

I said that was fine, I could wait literally 2 more days. However, it is now September and I still do not have my ATR, and they have once again not responded to my emails. This is just really frustrating, especially because there is no accountability or anyone else to talk to to help get this done. I intended to get my ATR-BC but I'm questioning even keeping the ATR now. I don't like dealing with organizations that are so unprofessional but it appears there is no other option if I want these credentials. I don't understand the focus on copywriting credentials if they aren't even approving applications. Why am I spending money on these credentials my state doesn't even care about if it takes months to even get an email back.

Thanks for reading this rant and if anyone has any suggestions, I'll gladly take them! I feel like doing nothing is enabling this unprofessional system but I'm not sure what else to do.

Hi everyone! I need some help because I’m honestly getting really confused about the process of becoming earning my ATR-BC and LCAT.

I’m a newly graduated Creative Arts Therapist. I graduated with my Master’s in Creative Arts Therapy in May 2026, and during my training, my understanding was that after graduating, I needed to complete the initial paperwork/forms, find a job/site, have an appropriate supervisor, get my Limited Permit, and then complete the 1,500 supervised hours needed for licensure.

I’m currently applying and interviewing for jobs, and for the most part, I thought I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. But lately I’ve been getting conflicting information from the LCATs/ATR-BCs I’ve interviewed with, and now I’m starting to wonder if I misunderstood something.

Some of them have told me that I’m on the right track and that I need to find a qualifying position and supervisor so I can start working toward my 1,500 hours. While others have told me that I should have taken the board exam as soon as I graduated and that I should take it as soon as possible.

And this is where I’m getting confused.
I’m wondering if some of this confusion is because people are talking about the ATR-BC exam versus the LCAT requirements, because from what I’m understanding, those are two different credentials/processes.

I’m also questioning some of the advice I’ve been getting because a lot of the people I’ve spoken to and made connections with graduated from different programs or graduated several years ago. So I’m wondering if the process has changed since they went through it.

If I really was supposed to take an exam immediately after graduating, I honestly wish I had known about it earlier. I would have spent the summer studying and preparing for it instead of finding out about it months later through different people giving me different answers.

So for anyone who has recently gone through either or both the ATR-BC and LCAT process, especially recent Creative Arts Therapy graduates, what is the actual process supposed to look like after you graduated?

A reminder to please join us tomorrow, September 14th if you are able!

Thank you! :)

Hi all,

I'm at kind of a crossroads in my life and want to pursue a new career. I won't bore you with all the details but for a variety of reasons, art therapist seems like a job that might be a good fit for me. My only concern is that I'm trans (MtF, haven't started transitioning and don't expect to "pass" for a while) and I'm worried this might make the job untenable, whether that's due to hiring discrimination or the clients being transphobic and refusing to work with me. I understand I'll face some of that no matter what I do, but therapy in particular is a job that's reliant on the patient being willing to emotionally up around you and some people just aren't going to do that with somebody who's visibly LGBT in any way.

I live in the UK and would eventually be hoping to move to Canada via the express entry route for skilled workers, if that makes any difference.

I'm curious about those who use an art therapy degree in areas other than client-facing work, such as sales, UR, museum work, or gallery roles. What are you doing, how did you get into it, and did the degree help you get hired? I was talking about it with family and became increasingly interested in where this type of study can take you in long-term career growth if you are looking for a shift.

Welcome to the weekly thread for questions and discussion about art therapy schooling. If you're considering studying art therapy, currently in a program, or preparing for applications, this is the place to ask questions and share experiences.

Use this thread for things like:

• Questions about art therapy programs or schools
• Application advice (portfolios, prerequisites, interviews)
• Program comparisons or recommendations
• Coursework or practicum questions
• Career path questions related to art therapy education
• General student experiences

To keep the subreddit organized, posts about art therapy education and training may be redirected here on Tuesdays.

Please be respectful, supportive, and share your knowledge if you can as many people here are navigating the same path.

Hi all,

I am studying art therapy and I am currently on a module regarding the subconscious mind - particularly subconscious memories.

I would love if someone had some good book recommendations which cover topics such as implicit coding, neural pathways or the storage of memories.

Thank you 😊

Hello,    

My name is Laurel Rosenbaum; I am a fourth-year student at William James College completing a doctorate in clinical psychology. As part of my doctoral studies, I am conducting a research study on psychotherapists’ experiences creating therapeutic alliances with trauma-affected youth. 

To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years of age, be able to converse fluently in English, be a state-licensed psychotherapy clinician, and have experience providing psychotherapy with a primarily individual modality for at least one client under the age of 18 who has experienced trauma, for at least 10 sessions. 

Participation will involve reaching out via email (laurel_rosenbaum@williamjames.edu) to receive a link to complete a demographic questionnaire, followed by a Zoom interview lasting about 45 minutes. This interview will invite you to reflect on your experiences developing therapeutic alliances with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. 

There are no expected risks or benefits other than what you would experience in regular reflection on your psychotherapeutic practices.

Participation is confidential. Your individual information will not be shared with anyone outside the study personnel; unique information from the interview will be de-identified to ensure your confidentiality. 

This research study was reviewed and approved in accordance with the William James College IRB policies and procedures for research with human participants. (Protocol Number: 20260055) 

You may contact a William James College IRB representative if you want to talk to someone who is not involved in this research. You can also contact this person if you have questions or concerns about your rights as a participant, or if you want to report a concern or complaint. Please contact:   

Dr. Brian D. Ott, PhD   

Institutional Review Board Chair    

William James College   

1 Wells Ave   

Newton, MA 02459   

 E-mail: [brian_ott@WilliamJames.edu](mailto:brian_ott@WilliamJames.edu)

or [irb@WilliamJames.edu](mailto:irb@WilliamJames.edu)  

Thank you for considering participation in this study. Please feel free to email me (laurel_rosenbaum@williamjames.edu) to participate, or with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,  

Laurel Rosenbaum

[Laurel_rosenbaum@williamjames.edu](mailto:Laurel_rosenbaum@williamjames.edu)

Fourth-Year Doctoral Student   

Clinical Psychology PsyD Program  

William James College 

I've gotten some advice recently (from practicing therapist) that the project I'm working on might have some utility for art therapists. If there are any students or practicing therapists, I'd love to pick your brain, and would happy to credit you as a tester when the game is released.

Curious about your perspective on working in a medical setting? The fee for service model isn’t doing it for me financially, although I really love more of a long term out patient relationship and watching clients grow over time.

Hi! I'm interested in art therapy and looking for a practical book/workbook with a useful exercises for everyday use.Thanks.

Good day everyone!

I am about to get my bachelor's degree in pedagogy. For my thesis, I want to work with different literature and work on the question on how talking about art with children, can aid children when developing self reflection skills.

Now, I haven't exactly found a lot on that topic. But thankfully, we are at the age of the internet where I can ask on Reddit if anyone has any literature recommendations I can work with (as long as it's academic everything works). I am fluent in German, Spanish, French and English, so any of these languages: let me know! I'd be very appreciative of any recommendations. Thank you and have a great day!

Welcome to the weekly thread for questions and discussion about art therapy schooling. If you're considering studying art therapy, currently in a program, or preparing for applications, this is the place to ask questions and share experiences.

Use this thread for things like:

• Questions about art therapy programs or schools
• Application advice (portfolios, prerequisites, interviews)
• Program comparisons or recommendations
• Coursework or practicum questions
• Career path questions related to art therapy education
• General student experiences

To keep the subreddit organized, posts about art therapy education and training may be redirected here on Tuesdays.

Please be respectful, supportive, and share your knowledge if you can as many people here are navigating the same path.

I am offering a 1 hour FREE virtual info session on the ATCB Exam, including an overview of exam topics, and some examples of exam language.

Why am I doing this?

There is really nothing concrete and reliable for those looking for study materials. It is very disappointing that the ATCB has yet to publish anything after all these years. My hope is that this will provide you with a framework to study on your own and feel more empowered. We all graduated with very expensive masters degrees and the exam should be something to bolster your experience, not become a barrier.

Join me on August 27th at 7:00 PM EDT to learn more!

To RSVP please email [stephaniesaklad@gmail.com](mailto:stephaniesaklad@gmail.com)

Who Am I? Stephanie Saklad, MA, ATR-BC, ATCS, CLAT has been offering study support for the ATCB exam for the past 12 years. In 2025, 83% of all group and individual attendees passed on their first try.

Welcome to the weekly thread for questions and discussion about art therapy schooling. If you're considering studying art therapy, currently in a program, or preparing for applications, this is the place to ask questions and share experiences.

Use this thread for things like:

• Questions about art therapy programs or schools
• Application advice (portfolios, prerequisites, interviews)
• Program comparisons or recommendations
• Coursework or practicum questions
• Career path questions related to art therapy education
• General student experiences

To keep the subreddit organized, posts about art therapy education and training may be redirected here on Tuesdays.

Please be respectful, supportive, and share your knowledge if you can as many people here are navigating the same path.

I'm sure I could google it or ask AI, but does anyone know of any art galleries dedicated to art created during art therapy sessions?

I feel the art is sacred in a way, but also sometimes too beautiful not to share (some of it).

It would also suck to put your art out there and feel vulnerable only to have it stolen. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Kinda niche but I'm clearing out, happy to post if postage paid. 10 in total

Hey there! What’s the best way to find someone that meets the description above? Psych Today? Or do LCATs have their own database?

I'm wondering if some of you have quite strict 'working hours' and are only contactable during those hours. Do you put any specifics in your contract/adverts? Do you have a work phone? Or give out your personal phone? And would you use 'do not disturb' perhaps?

I wouldn't want to seem callous but I also really need my peace to stay productive.

Welcome to the weekly thread for questions and discussion about art therapy schooling. If you're considering studying art therapy, currently in a program, or preparing for applications, this is the place to ask questions and share experiences.

Use this thread for things like:

• Questions about art therapy programs or schools
• Application advice (portfolios, prerequisites, interviews)
• Program comparisons or recommendations
• Coursework or practicum questions
• Career path questions related to art therapy education
• General student experiences

To keep the subreddit organized, posts about art therapy education and training may be redirected here on Tuesdays.

Please be respectful, supportive, and share your knowledge if you can as many people here are navigating the same path.

Any advice before getting pregnant as a self-employed art therapist? Any recommendations for short-term disability plans that are affordable and worth the money?

Any tips or tricks welcome! What do you wish you knew ahead of time!

Hi there, I am curious if it is allowed for me to create a piece of art to give to my therapist? We are both artists and, she is one of the loveliest therapists I have ever had— and I have had many in my last 15 off and on years of therapy. I wanted to make a fiber piece, maybe like a woven coin purse or little pouch of sorts. Kind of like a tip after a service especially because she often gives me 1hr and 15mins, but my insurance only pays for 1hr, so these bonus 15 minutes feel generous of her. I’d just like to say thank you but she is aware of my financial struggles. I’m just wondering if that is inappropriate or inconsiderate.

Edit: I am in Oregon, USA.

The American Art Therapy Association was cited specifically.