WHEREAS, Art therapy is an integrative mental health profession that combines knowledge and understanding of human development and psychological theories and techniques obtained through graduate level education in psychology in addition to practice of the visual arts and the creative process. Art therapy provides a unique approach to help consumers of mental health services improve their psychological health, cognitive abilities, and sensory motor functions; and

WHEREAS, California is home to 625 registered art therapists according to the Art Therapy Credentialing Board; and

WHEREAS, The field of art therapy is growing and the professional, academic, and research foundation is expanding. A master’s degree, including clinical fieldwork, is required for entry-level practice in art therapy. Supervised postgraduate clinical hours are also required to obtain registration as an art therapist. Minimum educational and professional standards are established by the American Art Therapy Association, Inc., a membership and advocacy organization; and

WHEREAS, Art therapy uniquely promotes the ability to unlock emotional expression by facilitating nonverbal as well as verbal communication. Art therapists utilize artmaking, the creative process, and their knowledge and training in psychology and human development when working with clients; and

WHEREAS, Art therapy is practiced in many settings, including in behavioral health and substance abuse treatment, as well as in rehabilitation, medical, educational, community, and forensic settings. Additionally, art therapy is practiced in private practice, workshops, and small-group settings. Clients come to art therapy from all walks of life, facing a full array of challenges. Individuals, couples, families, and community groups all benefit from various art therapy formats. Art therapists serve clients in both traditional and nontraditional spaces, such as hospitals, schools, residential facilities, Native American service facilities, Black health and community centers, LGBTQIA+ facilities, veteran’s clinics, community clinics, community centers, crisis centers, forensic institutions, senior communities, and museums; and

WHEREAS, Art therapists provide critical services, such as nonverbal art-making therapy, that help a client discharge acute stress accumulated during critical incidents, which are traumatic or disaster-like experiences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, art therapists have provided virtual support groups that helped members of the public experiencing grief or loss to maintain a healthy balance between work and family; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, art therapists in Northern California provided monthly support groups in a community art studio in Chico, California, for people impacted by the Camp Fire in Butte County. Art therapists in Southern California collaborated with local community members and artists to provide therapeutic art making for residents of Carpinteria, California, who were recovering from the effects of the Thomas Fire and subsequent mud slides that took place between December 2017 and February 2018. In the community of Thousand Oaks, California, local art therapists offered pro bono clinical art therapy sessions to individuals present at the mass shooting incident that took place at the Borderline Bar and Grill in 2018. These examples are a mere sample of the contributions made every day to California communities by professional art therapists; and

WHEREAS, Art therapists affirm a commitment to inclusivity, embrace all people, and honor each individual’s race, ethnicity, religious or spiritual beliefs, national origin, ancestry, age, abilities, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, socioeconomic, marital, immigration, or military status, political affiliation, and new cultural identities as they emerge; and

WHEREAS, Art therapists advocate for the dignity, self-worth, well-being, and creative potential of all people. Art therapists maintain awareness of the social and environmental consequences of human actions on the communities, ecosystems, and associations that they interact with. Art therapists strive to advance a sustainable and just society; and

WHEREAS, Art therapists uphold social justice and sustainability through inclusion, awareness, practice, and the affirmation that all people deserve economic, environmental, health care, political, and social rights and opportunities; and

WHEREAS, October is an especially fitting month to appreciate the field of art therapy because it is Mental Health Month; now, therefore, be it