Art Therapy Advocacy
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The South Carolina Art Therapy Association (SCATA) is actively pursuing state licensure to address the mental health crises in the state of South Carolina.
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Did you know...
Recent data from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration continues to show that a significant portion of adults experiencing mental illness in South Carolina do not receive treatment, with barriers including cost, provider shortages, and access to care.
According to Mental Health America, South Carolina consistently ranks among the lowest states in the nation for overall mental health access. The state faces:
South Carolina remains in the bottom tier nationally for access to mental health care, reflecting challenges in provider availability, affordability, and system capacity.
According to Mental Health America, South Carolina consistently ranks among the lowest states in the nation for overall mental health access. The state faces:
- High prevalence of mental health conditions among youth, including depression and substance use
- Low rates of access to care, including insurance coverage and available services
- Ongoing workforce shortages in mental health providers
South Carolina remains in the bottom tier nationally for access to mental health care, reflecting challenges in provider availability, affordability, and system capacity.
Why Does South Carolina Need Licensed Art Therapists?
- Increase access to care by expanding the pool of state-regulated mental health providers.
- Protect the public by ensuring that those in need of art therapy services receive care from qualified, trained professionals who meet approved education, training, and credentialing standards.
- Attract and retain qualified art therapy professionals and students in South Carolina.
- Contribute to the state’s economy through the growth of art therapy practices and businesses, increased employment opportunities, tax contributions, and licensure and renewal fees.
State Licensure of Professional Art Therapists will offer South Carolina, Evidenced-Based Clinical Practice, Assessment, and Documentation for:
- Veterans, active duty military, and their families experiencing mental health challenges, including PTSD, traumatic brain injury, depression, and rising rates of suicide.
- Individuals seeking recovery from addiction who benefit from somatic-based interventions to identify and address the underlying and systemic impacts of substance use.
- The growing population of older adults and their caregivers living with dementia and other geriatric neurological disorders.
- Individuals in medical settings who benefit from integrative approaches that support quality of life and coping with diagnosis, treatment, and symptoms.
- Individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g., autism spectrum disorder [ASD]) who require specially trained and qualified therapists.
- Those experiencing trauma, including survivors of childhood abuse, victims of natural disasters, and individuals impacted by domestic violence, who need trauma-informed care.
- Children and adolescents, particularly in school settings, who experience anxiety, behavioral challenges, and trauma and may benefit from developmentally appropriate, nonverbal therapeutic approaches.
- Individuals in rural and underserved communities who face barriers to accessing mental health care due to provider shortages and transportation limitations.
- Individuals involved in the justice system, including those who are incarcerated or re-entering the community and may benefit from rehabilitative, trauma-informed care.
- Healthcare workers and caregivers experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma.
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Let your representatives know that licensure for art therapists’ matters to you!
SCATA is currently collecting endorsement letters to bring to representatives when they advocate for the first art therapy bill. By simply filling in the template below, you can be a part of the charge. Once complete, contact us AND your representatives found at the link below.
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Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB)The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) regulates the field’s professional standards and ethics and is the only nationally recognized credentialing organization for art therapists in the United States. Art therapy is growing substantially and professional art therapists, along with institutions of higher education are adding new evidenced-based research into the field.
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American Art Therapy Association (AATA)
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, non-partisan, professional, and educational organization dedicated to the growth and development of the art therapy profession. Founded in 1969, the American Art Therapy Association is one of the world’s leading art therapy membership organizations.
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Professional Ethics
According to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), inaccurate use of “art therapy” often occurs due to a lack of knowledge about the profession. On occasion, non-art therapist practitioners might be found to advertise their services as “art therapy" although they do not meet the approved training, educational, and credentialing requirements (ATR-P, ATR, or ATR-BC). Similarly, individuals and/or companies may be found to inaccurately categorize activities (such as trainings that are offered by non-art therapists) or products (such as adult coloring books) being advertised as “art therapy.”
If you encounter an individual or company inaccurately identifying themselves as an "art therapist" or falsely advertising products or services as "art therapy," please contact SCATA using the button below.
If you encounter an individual or company inaccurately identifying themselves as an "art therapist" or falsely advertising products or services as "art therapy," please contact SCATA using the button below.