Y'all've begun your search for an art therapist. But the search tin can exist confusing, especially when information technology seems similar every therapist has completely different qualifications and messages after their proper name. What do they all hateful? And what practise you desire to look for?

I'm going to be honest, as an art therapist this confuses ME! So I've made us both a little chart to assist summarize the virtually common post-nominal letters in the art therapy earth, along with their meanings.

Abridgement Meaning Explanation
ATR Registered Fine art Therapist The art therapist has met the American Art Therapy Credentials Board'south standards past completing advanced and specific graduate-level instruction in art therapy, and supervised, post-graduate art therapy experience working with clients. Canadian fine art therapists can also apply for this certification.
ATR-BC Board Certified Art Therapist This is the highest level of certification offered by the American Art Therapy Credentials Lath. It requires the successful completion of a national exam in addition to the ATR requirements. Canadian art therapists can apply for this certification.
DKATI Diploma - Kutenai Art Therapy Institute The art therapist completed their graduate training in art therapy at the Kutenai Art Therapy Constitute and was awarded a Masters-level graduate diploma.
DTATI Diploma - Toronto Art Therapy Institute The art therapist completed their graduate training in art therapy at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute and was awarded a Masters-level graduate diploma.
DTATI - Cand. Toronto Art Therapy Institute Candidate The therapist is currently attending the Toronto Art Therapy Institute and/ or completing the requirements to graduate.
DVATI Diploma - Vancouver Art Therapy Institute The art therapist completed their graduate training in art therapy at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and was awarded a Masters-level graduate diploma.
MA Masters Degree The art therapist completed their graduate training at a academy where they were awarded a Master's Caste. Concordia University offers a Masters in Creative Arts Therapies, and Adler University offers a Masters of Counselling Psychology in Art Therapy.
OATR Ontario Registered Art Therapist The fine art therapist has completed the registration procedure with the Ontario Art Therapy Association and meets their requirements for educational activity, grooming, supervision, and piece of work experience.
RCAT Registered Canadian Art Therapist The art therapist has met the pedagogy, supervision, post-graduate work feel, and professional evolution requirements to go registered with the Canadian Art Therapy Association. There'southward a directory of art therapists who see CATA'south educational standards, but are not all RCATs.
RP Registered Psychotherapist The therapist is registered with the Higher of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). They have met the minimum education, clinical experience, and supervision requirements to register, and they participate in ongoing professional development and quality assurance programs to maintain proficient continuing. The CRPO has an online registry where y'all can wait upwardly details about any psychotherapist in Ontario.
RP - Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist - Qualifying The therapist is in the procedure of becoming registered with the Higher of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. There are education requirements, minimum client contact and supervision hours that must be met, and a last qualifying test.
white letters inside a white ceramic cup
Photograph by SJ Baren

Some fine art therapist also take qualifications every bit social workers, certified counsellors, or therapists with other specialties. Here are a few additional abbreviations you may come across as y'all expect for an art therapist:

Abbreviation Meaning Explanation
CCC Canadian Certified Counsellor The therapist's qualifications have been evaluated and canonical by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. They meet the CCPA's standards for professional preparation and continuing education.
CPT Certified Play Therapist The therapist meets the education, training, clinical practice hours, and clinical supervision requirements of the Canadian Association for Play Therapy.
RSW Registered Social Worker The therapist is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. At that place are specific academic and experience requirements in order to get registered. RSW's are permitted to practice psychotherapy in Ontario.
pink alphabet magnets in a pile
Photo by Jason Leung

Phew! That's a lot of messages! So, are some letters better than others?

In my opinion, non really! These letters can give y'all information about the therapist's instruction, preparation, and level of feel.

For example, my mail service-nominal letters are: DTATI, RP, RCAT. This means that after completing an undergraduate degree, I studied at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute where I earned a graduate diploma in art therapy. I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the CRPO, significant that I have met all of their preparation, education, supervision, professional development, and piece of work experience requirements. I am also a Registered Canadian Art Therapist with CATA, which lets yous know that I take the appropriate didactics, training, and experience recommended by our national fine art therapy clan.

For some people, training and experience are of import to help them experience confident in the therapist's abilities.

In general, I have establish that the most important cistron for successful therapy is finding a good fit.

This means that your preferences, personality, and way fit well with and are complimented past the therapist'due south. To be honest, this has zippo to exercise with credentials. It'south nearly how your energy meets and mixes with the therapist'south energy. Information technology's the feeling yous become when you lot walk into their office.

shallow focus photo of couch with side tables
Photo by Sophia Baboolal

I'll be sharing more almost finding a good fit in my next post. For now, if you accept questions nigh any of this or are curious nigh my style as a therapist, delight get in bear on for your complimentary introductory meeting.

Written by: Rubi Garyfalakis, DTATI, RP, RCAT

image of letterboard with common post nominal letters for therapists