Day 24 – To credential or not to credential, that is the question

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Day 24 - I’ve spent the day working on my rewrite of the draft of my article on the professionalization of expressive arts therapy. So wasn’t it serendipitous to find an editorial on “credentialing” in the latest issue of Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. In this editorial, Potash (2022) speaks about the dilemmas in the US of credentialing specific to art therapy, and state specific credentials and licenses around reimbursement for services.

 

Here is one paragraph from my writing… I have more to say but have run out of time today.  For now, consider this.

 

While great energy was used to establish initial credentialing requirements and a code of ethics, no sustained requirements for community involvement or continuing education were advocated.  As the field grows and evolves, the founding members of the organization may not keep up with newer ideas or theoretical approaches. A need for continued education in expressive arts therapy would be helpful.  New graduates from programs in expressive arts therapy are often overwhelmed with the task of establishing themselves as licensed clinicians, and at times this inhibits their perceived need for a REAT credential or for a need to take an active role in the professional organization. Educators, theorists, innovators, and practitioners have also not necessarily worked together to further the “professionalization” of the field – that work has instead been done in dispersal (often by educational programs themselves) or by the small IEATA board of volunteers working to sustain a small international organization with a big mission.

 

Potash, J. S. (2022). Editorial: Credentials and professional identity. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 39(1), 3-4.