Are there art therapy jobs in the military?

I'm really interested in pursuing art therapy, and I'm curious if there are opportunities to do this kind of work within the military. Does anyone know how to get into art therapy with a military career?

Absolutely, there are opportunities to practice art therapy in the military. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) employs art therapists as part of a broader effort to help service members recover from a variety of physical and mental health challenges they may face as a result of deployment, combat, or military service in general.

In order to do this kind of work in the military, you would generally follow similar steps to becoming an art therapist in any civilian context, but with some additional steps to obtain a position with the DoD or a related entity:

1. Get a Bachelor’s Degree: As with most healthcare and psychology professions, the first step to becoming an art therapist usually involves obtaining a bachelor's degree. This degree might be in psychology, social work, art, or a related field.

2. Master’s Degree in Art Therapy: After completing undergraduate studies, aspiring art therapists generally go on to receive a master’s degree in art therapy or a related field from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).

3. Licensing and Certification: Once you have obtained a master's degree, you would need to complete any necessary licensing and certification requirements. This may include a certifiable amount of supervised clinical experience, usually about two years, post-graduation.

4. Military Involvement: There are several potential routes to a job in art therapy within the military. You might apply directly for art therapy positions within the Department of Defense, work at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, or enlist and then move into an art therapy role.

5. Continue Education: Keep in mind that continuing education is also important in this field, with many art therapists attending additional courses, workshops, or training sessions to stay informed about the latest treatment methodologies.

Remember that working as an art therapist in a military context can be challenging, as you would be trying to help individuals cope with some serious challenges related to their service. However, it can also be extremely rewarding to use your skills to provide assistance to those who have served their country.