Art therapy is the practice of art making to foster enhanced well-being, healing, and strengthening of individuals, groups, and communities with the guidance and support of a credentialed art therapist. 

Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship (American Art Therapy Association, 2019).

Art therapists, art educators, artists, and community members are all vital roles in establishing quality art programs and all of these roles serve different and unique purposes. Art therapists bring crucial important skill sets that are built upon relational psychology, mediation, material and tool sensitivity, group dynamics and facilitation, skills to support dialogue between participants, counseling language, ethical considerations, and knowledge of and sensitivity to mental illness.