GCEAT - Expressive Arts Therapy

Understand the historical development of art therapy and expressive arts therapy and theories and techniques of expressive arts and art therapy as foundations for contemporary professional practice.

Apply principles of human, artistic, and creative development, human sexuality, gender identity development, family life cycle, and psychopathology, to the assessment and treatment of clients and be aware of the therapeutic benefits of art processes and media, strategies and interventions, and their applicability to the treatment process of individuals, groups, and families.

Understand the basic diagnostic process and the major categories and criteria of mental disorders, corresponding treatments, and commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications.

Recognize clients' use of imagery, creativity, symbolism, and metaphor as a valuable means for communicating challenges and strengths and support clients' use of artmaking for promoting growth and well-being.

Recognize the impact of oppression, prejudice, discrimination, and privilege on access to mental health care, and develop responsive practices that include collaboration, empowerment, advocacy, and social justice action.

Develop culturally appropriate, collaborative, and productive therapeutic relationships with clients and an awareness of the need to cultivate respect for cultural differences and similarities and the ability to apply this cultural sensitivity in the therapeutic relationship, including use of culturally and developmentally appropriate assessment and evaluation methods and administration and interpretation of results to identify challenges, strengths, resilience, and resources for art therapy and expressive arts therapy treatment planning.

Know federal and state laws, professional ethics, and ethical decision-making models, and cultural considerations, engaging supervision, and consultation, when necessary, to recognize and respond appropriately to ethical and legal dilemmas within art therapy and expressive arts therapy practice and research.

Pursue professional development, continuously deepening self-understanding through supervision, current literature, research, personal growth experiences, reflective practice, and personal artmaking to strengthen a personal connection to the creative process, assist in self-awareness, promote well-being, and guide professional practice and advocacy.