About

Since becoming one of the first programs in the United States to receive approval from the American Art Therapy Association, the GW Art Therapy Program has been a leader in the field and a top choice for students and faculty. The program boasts more than 30 full-time and adjunct faculty and over 1,000 alumni living and working worldwide. Students benefit from more than 100 internship options in psychiatric, educational, medical, military and community-based settings, and train in state-of-the-art facilities that include our hands-on GW Art Therapy Clinic. While in the program, student artists display their artwork in the program’s contemporary gallery space on campus as well as a virtual gallery space.

Mission

The GW Art Therapy Program prepares students to become exceptionally skilled art therapists who merge tenets of the profession with their personal style to develop their IMAGE of art therapy as sustained by:

  • initiating responsive practices
  • motivating intentional practices
  • advancing innovative practices
  • growing inclusive practices and
  • elevating informed practices for the betterment of clients, agencies and communities.

 


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Information Sessions

There are no events available at this time.

 


News from Art Therapy

AI: Patterns to Predictions

AI: Patterns to Predictions

Across the George Washington University, scientists and scholars are embracing the moment and building new AI tools to push the boundaries of their fields.

A student presenting her research poster at the 2026 CCAS Research Showcase

Student Research Takes Center Stage at CCAS Showcase

More than 250 students from across GW departments and programs, including art therapy, displayed their scholarly work at the fourth-annual CCAS Research Showcase.

Accreditation

ACATE: Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education

CAAHEP manages the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) accreditation process.

Graduate Achievement Outcomes

 


“So many times when I meet with potential students there is this light in their eyes, this aha moment when all of their interests have come together — their love of art, their interest in psychology, their wish to help people — and they discover that art therapy allows them to combine them all.”

Heidi Bardot
Art Therapy Program Director

Heidi Bardot

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