by An art therapist resume is your key to securing a role in the field of creative therapy, whether in healthcare, education, or community work.
Write a good resume to highlight your therapeutic skills, relevant education, and hands-on experience. Since this role blends psychology and creativity, your document needs to demonstrate both clinical knowledge and the ability to use art as a healing tool.
In this guide, we’ll cover essential sections, formatting tips, and examples of a good resume to help you stand out in the job market.
Art therapist resume examples
School art therapist resume sample
School art therapist resume template
Resume for school art therapist | Plain text
Sophia Reynolds
Chicago, IL | sophia.reynolds@email.com | (312) 555-7890 | linkedin.com/in/sophiareynolds
Summary
Compassionate and creative School Art Therapist with 6+ years of experience helping students navigate emotional and behavioral challenges through artistic expression. Skilled in individual and group therapy, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and collaboration with educators to support student success.
Skills
- Child and adolescent therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral techniques
- Group facilitation
- Emotional regulation strategies
- Trauma-informed interventions
- Behavioral assessment
- IEP collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Parent and teacher communication
- Art material knowledge
Experience
School Art Therapist
Lincoln Park High School | Chicago, IL
August 2020 – Present
- Design and implement individualized art therapy programs for students with emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Conduct group therapy sessions focused on emotional regulation and social skills development.
- Collaborate with school counselors, psychologists, and special education teachers to integrate therapy into IEPs and intervention plans.
- Lead parent workshops on using creative expression to support children’s mental health.
- Provide crisis intervention and emotional support for students facing trauma and anxiety disorders.
Art Therapy Intern
Chicago Youth Services | Chicago, IL
September 2019 – May 2020
- Assisted licensed therapists in running expressive therapy sessions for children dealing with grief, trauma, and self-esteem issues.
- Developed and led weekly group activities for middle school students.
- Maintained detailed case notes and participated in multidisciplinary team meetings.
Education
Master’s in Art Therapy | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 2020
Bachelor’s in Psychology | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 2018
Certifications
- ATR (Registered Art Therapist) – Issued 2020
- Illinois Educator License with School Support Personnel Endorsement – Issued 2021
Professional Development
- Attended National Art Education Association (NAEA) Conference – 2025
- Completed Advanced Trauma-Informed Therapy Training – 2023
Strong sides of this art therapist resume examples:
- Clearly highlights collaboration with educators and integration of art therapy into individualized plans (IEPs).
- Emphasizes experience working with both individual students and groups, demonstrating versatility in therapeutic approaches.
- Includes a dedicated professional development section, showcasing ongoing commitment to learning and industry engagement.
- How to properly format a resume for an art therapist?
- Stick to classic fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Font size should be between 10 and 12 points.
- Limit to one or two pages and keep information concise to help hiring managers quickly find key details.
- Set all margins of art therapist resume to 1 inch for a clean and organized appearance.
- Opt for single or 1.15 line spacing and use section headings for better readability.
- Bold titles, use bullet points for lists, and avoid excessive italics or underlining.
- Save as a PDF to keep your layout intact on all devices and prevents accidental shifts.
- Left-align text to improve scanning for recruiters.
- Applicant tracking systems (ATS) may struggle to interpret non-text elements so avoid graphics and images.
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Clinical art therapist resume example
Sample clinical art therapist resume
Daniel Carter, ATR-BC, LCAT
New York, NY | daniel.carter@email.com | (917) 555-2345 | linkedin.com/in/danielcarter
Summary
Licensed Clinical Art Therapist with over 8 years of experience in hospital and mental health clinic settings. Specializes in trauma-informed therapy, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and expressive therapy for individuals with PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Skills
- Trauma-focused therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral interventions
- Individual and group counseling
- Crisis intervention
- PTSD and anxiety treatment
- Clinical documentation
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Substance abuse recovery
- Art-based mindfulness techniques
- Ethical and confidentiality compliance
Experience
Clinical Art Therapist
Mount Sinai Hospital | New York, NY
June 2018 – Present
- Conduct individual art therapy sessions for patients dealing with PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders.
- Implement creative interventions as part of a comprehensive treatment plan in collaboration with psychiatrists and social workers.
- Facilitate group therapy for veterans, helping them process trauma through guided artistic expression.
- Train medical staff on the benefits of expressive therapy in mental health care.
- Maintain detailed patient records and adhere to HIPAA regulations.
Art Therapy Intern
New York Mental Health & Wellness Center | New York, NY
September 2017 – May 2018
- Supported therapists in running creative therapy sessions for individuals recovering from substance abuse and severe depression.
- Assisted in assessing patients' psychological progress through art-based exercises.
- Coordinated art workshops to promote self-expression and stress relief.
Education
Master’s in Art Therapy | Pratt Institute | 2018
Bachelor’s in Fine Arts & Psychology | New York University | 2016
Certifications
- ATR-BC (Board-Certified Art Therapist) – Issued 2019
- LCAT (Licensed Creative Arts Therapist – New York) – Issued 2020
Publications & Research
- Co-authored "Expressive Arts Therapy for PTSD Recovery" (Journal of Creative Arts in Therapy, 2022)
- Presented research on art-based interventions for veterans with PTSD at the American Art Therapy Association Conference – 2021
Here are a few reasons why this example of an art therapist resume will impress recruiters:
- Features publications and research, adding credibility and demonstrating thought leadership in the field.
- Strong use of quantifiable experience, detailing work with PTSD patients, veterans, and hospital settings.
- Well-structured certifications section, reinforcing professional qualifications and licensure.
- Should I choose an art therapist resume objective or summary?
- Ideal for those with a solid professional history.
- It highlights major accomplishments and core strengths in 2-4 sentences.
Art therapist resume summary sample:
Licensed Art Therapist with over five years of experience guiding individuals through creative expression to manage trauma and mental health challenges. Skilled in cognitive-behavioral interventions, group therapy, and personalized treatment plans. Passionate about fostering emotional well-being through artistic engagement.
- Suitable for entry-level candidates or career changers.
- It focuses on aspirations and what you bring to the table.
Art therapist resume objective example:
Recent graduate with a Master’s in Art Therapy, eager to apply creative interventions in a clinical setting. Dedicated to helping individuals express emotions and heal through artistic methods. Seeking an opportunity to contribute compassion, therapeutic knowledge, and artistic expertise to a professional team.
- How to showcase your art therapist resume skills?
The skills section allows hiring managers to assess your capabilities at a glance.
- Hard skillsare technical expertise gained through education, hands-on experience, and specialized training.
- Soft skills are personal attributes that influence communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.
Art therapist hard skills examples:
- Art therapy methodologies
- Psychological assessment techniques
- Cognitive-behavioral strategies
- Trauma-informed interventions
- Crisis management
- Group therapy facilitation
- Clinical documentation
- Individualized treatment planning
- Knowledge of various art materials
- Ethical and confidentiality compliance
Soft skills for art therapist samples:
- Empathy
- Active listening
- Patience
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Creativity
- Emotional intelligence
- Problem-solving
- Collaboration
- Conflict resolution
Rehabilitation art therapist resume template
Rehabilitation art therapist resume sample
Resume for rehabilitation art therapist | Text version
Dwight Dawson, ATR
Los Angeles, CA | dwight.dawson@email.com | (310) 555-4567 | linkedin.com/in/dwightdawson
Summary
Dedicated Rehabilitation Art Therapist with 7+ years of experience helping individuals recovering from physical injuries, addiction, and neurological disorders. Passionate about integrating creative interventions into physical and mental rehabilitation programs to promote healing and resilience.
Skills
- Art-based rehabilitation techniques
- Cognitive and motor skill therapy
- Pain management strategies
- Neuroplasticity and art therapy
- Substance abuse recovery support
- Adaptive art interventions
- Interdisciplinary team collaboration
- Emotional expression through art
- Therapeutic group facilitation
- Patient progress assessment
Experience
Rehabilitation Art Therapist
Cedar Sinai Rehabilitation Center | Los Angeles, CA
May 2019 – Present
- Design and lead adaptive art therapy programs for patients recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic pain conditions.
- Assist individuals in regaining fine motor skills and cognitive function through structured artistic exercises.
- Develop art-based coping strategies for patients undergoing substance abuse rehabilitation.
- Work alongside occupational and physical therapists to enhance recovery outcomes through creative interventions.
- Provide one-on-one and group therapy sessions, using a variety of mediums such as painting, sculpture, and mixed media.
Art Therapy Intern
Los Angeles Recovery & Wellness Center | Los Angeles, CA
September 2018 – April 2019
- Supported licensed therapists in conducting expressive therapy sessions for individuals overcoming addiction.
- Assisted in developing personalized rehabilitation plans incorporating art-based mindfulness techniques.
- Documented patient progress and collaborated with mental health professionals.
Education
Master’s in Art Therapy & Counseling | Loyola Marymount University | 2019
Bachelor’s in Fine Arts & Psychology | University of California, Los Angeles | 2017
Certifications
- ATR (Registered Art Therapist) – Issued 2019
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) – Issued 2020
Volunteer Work
- Facilitator, Healing Arts for Veterans Program – Los Angeles, CA (2021-Present)
- Art Therapy Instructor, Community Recovery Center – 2020-2022
This sample art therapist resume is effective for several reasons:
- Highlights interdisciplinary collaboration with occupational and physical therapists, emphasizing a holistic approach.
- Includes a volunteer work section, showcasing community engagement and additional hands-on experience.
- Demonstrates expertise in art-based rehabilitation techniques, bridging physical and mental health recovery.
- What academic credentials should I add to my art therapy resume?
Educational background is essential in this field, ensuring candidates meet professional and licensing requirements.
What to include?
- Degree(s) earned (e.g., Master’s in Art Therapy, Bachelor’s in Psychology)
- Institution name and location
- Year of graduation
- Relevant coursework (if applicable for entry-level applicants)
- Licenses or certifications (e.g., ATR-BC, LCAT)
Add an expected graduation date if still in school.
- How to organize the experience section in an art therapist resume?
- List positions in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent.
- Write job title, organization name, location, and dates of employment.
- Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and accomplishments.
- Start descriptions with action verbs like “facilitated,” “developed,” or “implemented.”
- Focus on measurable results (e.g., “Led art therapy sessions for 50+ clients weekly”).
- Mention collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, including psychologists and social workers.
- If professional experience is limited, add internships, volunteer work, or academic projects to your art therapist resume.
Conclusion
A strong art therapist resume effectively showcases your qualifications, experience, and passion for the industry.
By emphasizing relevant skills, certifications, and professional achievements, you can make a compelling case for why you're the right fit for the role.
Take the time to tailor your document for each job application, ensuring it aligns with the employer’s needs. With a well-structured resume, you’ll increase your chances of landing a fulfilling position in art therapy.
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