Art Therapy in Miami: How to Find the Right Therapist for You
The first step to beginning Art Therapy is not only finding an Art Therapist, but finding the one that feels like the best fit for you. Finding an Art Therapist can feel overwhelming, scary and anxiety inducing and confusing on where to start. If you live in Miami and are looking for an Art Therapist then this blog post is for you.
What is Art Therapy?
Before we get into finding the right Art Therapist for you, let’s talk about what even Art Therapy is. Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art-making and the creative process to support individuals in processing, exploring, expressing, reflecting and coping on a variety of emotions and life experiences. Art Therapy is never about making good art but rather focusing on the process and all that comes along with it - which means that you don’t have to have any experience or knowledge in the art-making world to engage in Art Therapy.
Art Therapy can take place in a variety of settings and populations. You can find Art Therapy in private or group practices, hospitals, nursing homes, community agencies, schools and so many more places. Art Therapy is for all ages and various diagnoses, such as but not limited to: anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, addiction, eating disorders, PTSD, bi-polar disorder, Alzheimers/dementia, autism, etc.
Who is Art Therapy For?
Art Therapy is truly for everyone and anyone can participate in it so long as they have a safe and supportive space with the presence of an Art Therapist to do so. However, people who seek out an Art Therapist on their own may typically do so because:
they have an interest or enjoy the art-making and creative process
they have tried a more traditional approach to therapy and are looking for something different
they want to do deep trauma, nervous system, inner child and somatic work that supports them in connecting with their body
they want to learn how to express and cope more freely and creatively
they are looking to slow down and lean into a sense of play and exploration
What to Look for in an Art Therapist:
Credentials: Registered Art Therapist (Board Certified)
An Art Therapist is a masters-level professional from an accredited program with a background in both mental health and fine arts. All Art Therapists in the United States are required to have their ATR (registered, art therapist) credential in order to practice and call themselves Art Therapists. You may notice some have the -BC (board certified) at the end, this simply means they have taken the examination and is an extra form of credibility. Depending on what state you live in, some Art Therapists are required to have a state license as well.
Approach and Experience: Trauma-Informed? CBT? Somatic?
Every therapist has a different approach in the tools, modalities and ways in which they support their clients. It can be helpful to do some research or even ask in your consultation call, what modality may best support you and your needs. Does this therapist have experience and work with other people who may be struggling with what you are having a hard time with?
Safety and Rapport: How do you feel when you talk to them?
A huge part of the therapeutic process, and the most important is how you feel with your therapist. Do you feel safe? Does your body relax? Do you feel like you can trust them? Therapy can bring up challenging and emotional topics and memories, so you want to find a therapist that can help support you in that experience.
Scheduling, Fee Structure and Location: Time? Day of the week? Insurance vs self pay? In person, virtual or hybrid?
You also want to find a therapist that is in line with your personal needs. This includes finding a time and day that works for you both. Identifying if your therapist accepts insurance or is only private pay - and what are your needs regarding this. And lastly, location - are they close to you if you are coming in person? Do you want to see them virtually or a hybrid schedule?
Important disclaimer: Art Therapy is a mental health profession where the therapist is required to have their masters, supervised client contact hours and accreditation. It is not Art Therapy if a therapist simply makes art in sessions with clients or obtained a certification from a course or two. Do not be afraid to ask whoever you are considering to be your therapist what their accreditation is to make sure you are working with an ethical therapist.
How Do You Know It Is The Right Fit?
If you are going to be seeing your therapist on a consistent basis - weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, you want to find someone you feel safe, comfortable and that you can confide in. Most therapists offer either a phone or video call that is complimentary as a way to get to know one another, ask questions and see if it is a good fit before beginning to work with them. This call is a great way to notice how you feel with the therapist which may support your decision if it feels like a good fit for you.
Here are some questions to reflect on and consider while on the call: how does the therapist respond when you share what you are going through? Do you feel calm/comfortable/safe when you talk to them? What is their approach and experience level with what you may be struggling with? Does it logistically make sense with your schedule/finances/travel, etc?
How Do I Get Started?
There are a couple of different places and ways in which you can find an Art Therapist in Miami or near you.
American Art Therapy Association (AATA) has an Art Therapist locator tool that you can use by city and state to find what Art Therapists may need you. The locator provides contact information and populations that the therapist works with.
Google or ChatGPT has become increasingly more popular to help people find an Art Therapist. You can narrow your search by location, modality, and name. You may need to do some research and due diligence on your own to find out more about the credibility of the therapist, but it can be a great place to start.
Psychology Today is another great tool to find and narrow down your therapist search. Unfortunately, it does not have a verification process for Art Therapists and some people do list they practice Art Therapy even if they are not certified to do so. Similar to google and ChatGPT, you may need to do some research and due diligence on your own to find out more about the credibility of the therapist, but it can be a great place to start.
Alma does a great job at verifying therapist licensure and credibility and they have a therapist directory. This is also a great option if you are looking for a provider who takes your insurance.
Choosing the right Art Therapist in Miami is a personal process—but it doesn’t have to be confusing. When you find someone who aligns with your needs, Art Therapy can become a powerful space for healing, self-expression, and meaningful change.
If you are curious to explore the Art Therapy process to support you with your anxiety, trauma or grief experience, I have availability in my schedule for clients virtually and in person in Coral Gables. I offer a free consultation call for those who want to explore if it feels like a good fit which you can schedule here or send me an email to see if the times align.
