Interested in art therapy and live in the Pittsburgh area? There are several trained art therapists who are offer art therapy, both in person and online. Finding art therapy in Pittsburgh can be an easy process if you know where to look. ?
Why Choose Art Therapy
If you are looking for an art therapist in Pittsburgh, you might already know a bit about art therapy. You might even have a sense of the mental health benefits of art therapy. Or maybe you came across art therapy in your research and it piqued your interest. No matter how familiar you are with art therapy, it can definitely be a great fit for what you are looking for.
Art Therapy Quick Facts
Here are a few awesome things to know about art therapy:
- You do NOT need to be an artist to enjoy the benefits of art therapy. I repeat, art therapy is about not about artistic skill. It’s about the process, not the product.
- Art therapy taps into a deep-seated form of communication. Humans develop visual language early in life and we use symbols and imagery for self-expression from a young age. Art therapy capitalizes on that, and offers a means to communicate and explore what’s going on for you beyond verbal language alone.
- Art therapy enhances emotional safety. When it comes to certain issues, one-on-one talk therapy can sometimes feel too overwhelming. Clients might keep conversation light and inadvertently avoid hard subject matter. When processing painful experiences, art therapy not only makes it easier to go a little deeper, but having the art to point to, hold up, focus on, etc. can take the emotional edge off and help prevent re-traumatization.
Benefits of Art Therapy
In addition to the above, there are several mental health benefits that art therapy clients experience. Here are a few of the most cited benefits of art therapy:
- improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions
- foster self-esteem
- promote self-awareness
- cultivate emotional resilience
- enhance social skills
- reduce and resolve conflicts
- reduce stress
How to Find Art Therapy in Pittsburgh
There are lots of therapists in the Pittsburgh area that say they offer art therapy, however trained and qualified art therapists are those who have completed a masters degree in art therapy from an accredited institution.
While some non-art therapists can skillfully and effectively incorporate creative arts into treatment, they can’t technically call it “art therapy” or call themselves “art therapists” unless they have earned a masters degree in art therapy.
This does not mean that you can’t benefit from the use of creative/expressive arts in therapy with a non-art therapist. In fact, I know lots of non-art therapists who have a solid grasp on how to use creative arts to enhance their preferred therapy modality. But if you are looking for a total art therapy experience, including the full benefits of art therapy, it’s best to work with a qualified art therapist.
Therapist Finder Sites
There are lots of therapist finder sites where you can use the search filters to find local art therapists. If you put in your Pittsburgh zip code, you can find art therapists close to your neighborhood. And if you are interested in online art therapy, you can choose an art therapist from anywhere in Pennsylvania.
A Note on Therapist Listings
Sometimes therapists list art therapy as one of the services they offer, but it’s not always clear if they have had formal training in art therapy. It’s sometimes tough to tell if someone is an actual art therapist on sites like Psychology Today, Good Therapy, and Therapy Den. Look for credentials/letters like MA, AT, which is someone who earned a masters degree in art therapy, or ATR-BC, which is someone who is a board certified art therapist.
Therapist Listings to Try
Here are a few top therapist finder sites where you can search local therapist listings for the Pittsburgh area.
Art Therapists in Pittsburgh
While you can find a few trained art therapists in group practices scattered throughout Pittsburgh, some practices specialize in creative arts and art therapy. The recommendations listed below have a strong art therapy focus and all three picks have trained art therapists that are qualified to provide art therapy services.
Top 3 Recommendations for Art Therapy in Pittsburgh
If you are looking for a trained art therapist in Pittsburgh area who is great to work with and who knows what they are doing, then check out the recommendations below. ?️
1. Center for Creative Counseling
(Hayley Wilds, MA, AT, LPC, CCTP, CGP)
The first place on the list is my own practice, the Center for Creative Counseling. ? I know, I’m a little biased. But in all seriousness, art therapy is my passion. I adore using art with clients of all ages. I also love incorporating art into family work, using it alongside talk therapy, and it fits especially well with grief counseling.
Additionally, I’m a trained art therapist and I earned a masters degree in art therapy. I have worked with kids, adults, and families for 20 years and utilized art therapy to help many of my clients achieve their goals.
In my experience, art brings a level of safety to the work that talk therapy alone can’t always achieve. I also appreciate the way art therapy provides an additional mode of communication that is especially helpful for working through trauma, grief, anxiety, and so much more. Probably my favorite thing about working with art therapy clients is witnessing the amazing things they learn about themselves through the art-making process.
Why Choose the Center for Creative Counseling for Art Therapy
The Center for Creative Counseling offers a select set of therapy services and specialties that come with a number of benefits.
Here are a few reasons to start art therapy through the Center for Creative Counseling in Pittsburgh, PA:
- Art therapy services are conveniently provided online.
- Services with an with an experienced art therapist.
- Select insurance plans accepted.
- Caring and collaborative therapy approach.
- Easy to book online free consultation.
- Art therapy services for adults, teens, kids, and families.
- Issues treated include anxiety, trauma, grief/loss, family conflict, and identity issues.
Getting Started with the Center for Creative Counseling in Pittsburgh
If you live in Pittsburgh, or anywhere in Pennsylvania, getting started with the Center for Creative Counseling is easy. If you are interested in online art therapy, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to make sure I am a good fit for your needs. Please feel free to browse my website, learn more about art therapy, and check out my rates for therapy.
When you are ready, click below to see available appointment times and book your free consultation to get started.
2. Artful Therapy
Artful Therapy is an amazing art therapy practice located in Pittsburgh, PA. Not only is Artful Therapy a group practice with several trained art therapists, but the practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming and operates from social justice framework.
I know several of the therapists personally and professionally and I can’t say enough about how awesome they are. I highly recommend Artful Therapy for anyone looking to get started with art therapy in the Pittsburgh area.
Why Choose Artful Therapy for Art Therapy
Here are a few of the perks of starting art therapy with Artful Therapy in Pittsburgh.
- They take a variety of insurance plans.
- They are an LGBTQIA+ affirming and welcoming practice.
- Most of the therapists on staff are art therapists.
- Conveniently located near Wilkinsburg/Regent Square area of Pittsburgh.
- Affordable scale for out of pocket payment.
3. Heal with Creativity
Heal with Creativity is an art therapy practice located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. Owned and operated by one of my favorite colleagues and classmates from my art therapy masters program, Ann Marie Powell MA, ATR-BC, LPC is an awesome person and an excellent therapist.
Ann is great with kids and has an awesome studio space for in person art therapy. Heal with Creativity offers art therapy and counseling services for clients of all ages.
Why Choose Heal with Creativity for Art Therapy
Here are a few of the perks of starting art therapy with Heal with Creativity in Pittsburgh.
- Inviting art therapy studio space for in person sessions.
- Several insurance plans accepted.
- Great location in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA.
Art Therapy in Pittsburgh
No matter which provider you choose, getting started with art therapy is a big step toward overall wellness. If you have questions about art therapy, how to get started, or finding a qualified art therapist in the Pittsburgh area, feel free to send me an email.
Getting Started with the Center for Creative Counseling in Pittsburgh
If you live in Pittsburgh, or anywhere in Pennsylvania, getting started with the Center for Creative Counseling is easy.
If you are interested in online art therapy, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to make sure I am a good fit for your needs. Please feel free to browse my website, learn more about art therapy, and check out my rates for therapy.
When you are ready, click below to see available appointment times and book your free consultation to get started.
