Program
Our Mission
The mission of The George Washington University Art Therapy Graduate Program is to train exceptionally skilled therapists whose professional practice is grounded in a broad understanding of the most current clinical art therapy, counseling, and trauma theories; the application of the best research and evaluation methodologies; and the consistent use of diverse, integrative and culturally responsive treatment strategies.
Our Goals
- Students will have a broad knowledge of foundational approaches, theories, techniques, and evaluation methods of art therapy and counseling.
- Students will be able to engage in clinical work with insight and self-awareness and a high level of professional, ethical, and multicultural competence with diverse client populations.
- Students will have developed proficiency as art therapy researchers, understanding the inter-relationship between theory, practice, and science.
- Students will cultivate their identity as an artist and art therapist and have experience exhibiting their artwork in a professional manner.
- Students will gain understanding of the latest theory of the psychobiology of traumatic stress, and will have clinical skills using verbal and non-verbal approaches in the treatment of trauma related disorders.
Program Highlights
- Access to leaders in the field of art therapy and mental health who encompass a wide range of therapeutic specializations.
- Maximum to leaders in the field of art therapy and mental health who encompass a wide range of therapeutic specializations.
- Over 100 internship options in psychiatric, educational, medical and community-based settings.
- International coursework with social and cultural diversity summer courses and internship opportunities in India, South Africa, France, and the American Indian territory.
- Community clients in the Art Therapy Clinic with ability to review video-taped sessions.
- Open studios with the opportunity to exhibit art in the Art Therapy Gallery.
- Workshops and postgraduate continuing education seminars on advanced clinical issues.
- Close proximity to the nation’s capital and major art museums and medical/research libraries.
Professional Licensure
Students graduate prepared to seek professional licensure in art therapy and counseling (in states where this is applicable). The traditional master’s program has been combined with additional coursework in trauma training—a huge growth area in the art therapy field to integrate the latest research on neurobiology and trauma treatment with expressive, art based approaches.
Art Therapy in India
Art therapy students have traveled to India as part of a three-week summer course called International Social and Cultural Art Therapy. A series of short internships with local organizations immersed students in the Indian culture so they could experience what it was like to be a minority. Students visited schools, a women’s shelter, a rehabilitation center and helped residents with disabilities, working on art projects at each site. The students received valuable training and needy populations in India were introduced to art therapy.
Contact us for more information on details, schedule, and costs of this summer program.
Art Therapy Students In the Field
This year, as part of the George Washington University Summer Institute program, several students from the Art Therapy department and several other community members participated in the American Indian Art Therapy Institute in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Students provided art-based services to youth, adults, and elders, and participated in Equine Therapy.
Contact us for more information on details, schedule, and costs of this summer program.