This isn’t therapy for artists, though given the lives of so many of them, they may need it more than anyone else. But trust us, or at least the psychologists, when they say that art can heal. No, it didn’t do much for Van Gogh (or his ear), but it can work wonders for others dangling on the precipice. It’s a stressful world out there, and while a little Prozac and a comfortable leather couch may help a lot, sometimes they’re just not enough. Consider Art Therapy, then, to be the meeting of Freud and Picasso, or the couch and the paintbrush. Art Therapy is a combination of the analytical and the creative. As an Art Therapy major you’ll learn all the tools of the trade that come with being a therapist of those with mental, emotional, and developmental disorders. You’ll get to tap into that creative vein of yours as you help your patients learn to communicate their thoughts and feelings through the stories they draw and paint. After all, the mind expresses itself in many ways, not just through words. Sometimes it takes a blank canvas, a paintbrush, and a therapist to figure that out.

Preparation

In addition to taking introductory psychology courses at your high school and having a strong background in art and art history, students should also prepare themselves by building a solid foundation in science, math, English, and computer courses. Spending your time volunteering at a local hospital or mental health clinic is also a great opportunity to gain first hand experience in the field.