The Arts

The Arts

Art Therapy Paints a Vibrant Picture of Mental Health

Creating art can play an integral and illuminating role in an integrated counseling approach. By helping clients to articulate that which cannot always be spoken through their artwork, art therapy can help bring personal stories to light. Art therapy is an integrated mental health profession that promotes mental health and well-being through artmaking such as drawing, painting, and clay sculpting. This fast-growing field has found a welcoming home at Holy Family University, one of the few area universities to offer both an undergraduate and graduate course of study, including a Master of Science (MS) degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Art Therapy.

Katrina Carroll-Haskins ’10, director of Art Therapy for the Graduate Counseling Psychology Department, has come full circle from earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-Art Therapy to currently leading the Art Therapy program at Holy Family University.

“There’s a misconception that art therapy is only for children,” says Carroll-Haskins. “I’ve worked with people across the lifespan from kids as young as three to geriatric populations with dementia. There’s research now that demonstrates how working with the arts and creative things can be greatly beneficial in reducing stress and improving mood.”

Carroll-Haskins is a full-time faculty member at Holy Family University, teaching both undergraduate and graduate Art Therapy courses, while she pursues her doctorate and research on the topic of “Supervision for Early Professional Art Therapists.”

Katrina Carroll-Haskins ‘10, Director of Art Therapy

“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done?” (2018). Altered book, mixed media. Altered book art offers the opportunity to explore a range of art materials without the pressure to fill a blank piece of paper or canvas. These altered pages include cut-paper and magazine collage images and quotes, textured paper, and a small mandala (circular design) with colored pencils.

“We need more research in the field,” she says. “Our students are dually trained in Counseling Psychology and the Art Therapy program — eligible to be licensed as LPCs and registered and board-certified art therapists. We are currently in process of working to achieve the highest standards of accreditation through the Commission of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) to pave the strongest path for our students.”

The benefits of accreditation include continuous evaluation and improvement of Holy Family’s art therapy program. CAAHEPaccredited programs are recognized by the Art Therapy Credentials Board through which art therapists become registered and boardcertified professionals.