How to Find an Art Therapist in Cleveland (And Not Just an Artsy Therapist)
If you’re looking for an Art Therapist in Cleveland, you’re on this journey for a reason.
Maybe something didn’t click with a previous therapist, and you just feel the call for something different. Maybe you’re working toward self-discovery and struggling with something you haven’t been able to verbalize. Maybe traditional talk therapy sounds overwhelming and you think better when doing something with your hands. Whatever brings you on this search, Art Therapy can be incredible for working through emotions, reducing stress, and understanding yourself in new ways.
But there’s a big difference between a mental health practitioner who's actually trained in art therapy, versus someone who just likes art and thinks it's therapeutic. And finding that qualified person can be trickier than you'd expect (especially in Ohio).
And will insurance cover it, or are you about to make therapy one more thing to stress about?
Let’s break it all down.
What Is Art Therapy? (And Do I Need to Be Good at Art?)
First things first—no, you don’t need to be an artist to benefit from art therapy. You don’t even need to like art. Art therapy isn’t about making something that belongs in a museum; it’s about using creativity to explore what’s going on inside your head.
A trained art therapist blends psychology with creative expression, guiding you through different techniques to help you understand your thoughts, emotions, and patterns in a new way. Whether you’re working with clay, collage, paint, or just scribbling on paper, the goal is a self-discovery, not a self-portrait.
How to Spot Real Art Therapy (and Avoid the Buzzword Trap)
Unfortunately, “art therapy” has become a trendy phrase, and not everyone using it is actually trained in the field. While creative expression can be therapeutic, real art therapy is provided by a trained mental health professional—not just someone who enjoys making art.
How to Spot Real Art Therapy Training
When you're looking at potential therapists, here's what actually matters: they should have a master's degree in art therapy (or a closely related field), hold an ATR credential, and be licensed as a mental health professional—like a clinical counselor or marriage and family therapist. They should also have completed supervised clinical training, which means they've practiced under someone experienced before going solo.
Real art therapists blend psychology with creative techniques. They're not just facilitating art-making; they're trained to understand what your creative process might be revealing about your inner world.
What to Watch Out For
I've seen a lot of things labeled "art therapy" that... aren't. Adult coloring books marketed as art therapy? They're relaxing, sure, but they're not therapy. Paint-and-sip nights? Fun evening out, but drinking wine while painting sunflowers isn't mental health care. Life coaches or artists who offer "art therapy" without any mental health training? That's just art instruction with a wellness spin.
The red flag is anyone calling themselves an art therapist without an ATR credential or relevant degree. It's like calling yourself a surgeon because you're good with a knife—the tools might be similar, but the training is completely different.
The ATR Credential: Your Best Friend When Searching
Here's the thing about credentials—anyone can call themselves an art therapist, but that doesn't mean they are one. The ATR (Registered Art Therapist) credential is your safeguard. To get those three letters after their name, someone has to earn a master's degree in art therapy, complete supervised clinical experience with real clients, and commit to ongoing professional development. It's not just a weekend workshop or an online certificate—it's serious training.
Some therapists take it even further and become board-certified (ATR-BC), which means they've passed additional exams and have even more experience under their belt. Think of it like the difference between a good doctor and a specialist—both can help you, but one has gone the extra mile.
When you're researching therapists, look for those letters. If someone doesn't mention their ATR credential anywhere on their website or profile, that's worth asking about directly.
Where Do Cleveland Art Therapists Train?
Where Cleveland Art Therapists Actually Train
If you're wondering where local art therapists get their training, Ohio only has one accredited program—Ursuline College's Master of Arts in Counseling & Art Therapy. But many of the most skilled art therapists in Cleveland actually trained elsewhere and brought their expertise here.
Take my own path, for example. I got my master's degree at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, which has one of the most respected art therapy programs in the country. The LMU program really shaped how I work—it blends psychodynamic theory with mindfulness and social justice, which gives you a much deeper foundation than just learning techniques. When therapists from programs like LMU move to Ohio, they bring those different perspectives and advanced training with them.
So don't assume a therapist is less qualified just because they didn't train locally. Some of the best-trained therapists in Cleveland started their journey somewhere else. If you want to verify that someone's degree comes from a legitimate art therapy program, there's an organization called CAAHEP that maintains a list of accredited programs. (Don't worry about what the acronym stands for—just know they're the ones who keep track of which schools are doing it right.)
The Money Question: Insurance or Private Pay?
Let's be honest—after "Is this therapist right for me?" the next question is usually "How much is this going to cost me?" And with art therapy, the insurance situation is... complicated.
The Insurance Reality
Some art therapists do accept insurance, but many don't. The issue is that insurance companies don't always recognize art therapy as a standalone service. However, if your therapist is also licensed as a marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, or social worker, they might be able to bill insurance under that license.
My advice? Don't assume anything about insurance coverage. Call both the therapist and your insurance company before your first session to avoid billing surprises.
Private Pay as an Investment in Yourself
I know private pay can feel like a big financial commitment, but think of it this way: you're investing in your mental health, your relationships, and your overall quality of life. When you pay privately, you're free to work with the therapist who's actually the best fit for you, not just whoever happens to be in your insurance network.
You're also investing in therapy that works on your timeline, not your insurance company's. No arbitrary session limits, no forced diagnoses, and no insurance company dictating how your therapist should treat you. Your investment goes toward completely personalized care.
If the investment feels overwhelming, many therapists offer sliding scale rates or focused, short-term approaches that can help you see real progress without long-term financial strain.
And in many cases your insurance will still help you cover some of the costs of private pay therapist when you learn to navigate “out-of-network” benefits.
Getting Your Insurance to Help Pay for Out-of-Network Therapy
Just because your ideal therapist doesn't take your insurance directly doesn't mean you're stuck paying full price. If you have a PPO or another plan with out-of-network benefits, you might be able to get reimbursed for a good chunk of your therapy costs. It takes a little legwork, but it's often worth it.
First, Figure Out What Your Plan Actually Covers
Before you do anything else, call your insurance company or check your online portal. You need to know: Does your plan cover out-of-network mental health services? What percentage do they reimburse—some plans cover 50-80% once you hit your deductible. Speaking of which, what is your out-of-network deductible? Do you need a referral from your doctor first? And are there limits on how many sessions they'll cover?
I know it's annoying to be on hold with insurance companies, but this one conversation can completely change how you think about affording therapy. You might discover that working with your ideal therapist is actually within reach.
How the Process Actually Works
When you see an out-of-network therapist, you pay them directly at each session. Then they give you something called a "superbill"—which is just a detailed receipt with all the codes your insurance company needs, like your therapist's credentials, the date and cost of your session, and the diagnosis and procedure codes.
You submit this superbill to your insurance company (usually online or through their app), and they send you a reimbursement check for whatever percentage your plan covers. Some companies like Reimbursify will handle the paperwork for you if you'd rather pay a small fee than deal with the hassle.
Why It's Worth the Effort
Look, I get it—this sounds like bureaucratic nonsense. But here's what you're getting: the freedom to choose the therapist who's actually right for you, plus financial help from your insurance company. Most people don't even realize they have out-of-network benefits, so if you do, you might as well use them.
And asking your therapist for a superbill is totally normal —we're used to helping people navigate this stuff all the time.
Where to Find an Art Therapist in Cleveland
Ready to start your search? Here are a few places to check:
Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) Directory – Find registered art therapists at www.atcb.org.
Psychology Today – Their directory lets you filter for art therapy.
Local Universities – Ursuline College’s art therapy program may have referrals.
Nonprofits & Community Centers – Places like The Art Therapy Studio and the Beck Center for the Arts offer individual and group sessions.
If you're looking for someone with extensive training and experience, I'd be happy to talk with you about whether my approach might be a good fit for what you're working through. You can learn more about my background and schedule a consultation through my contact page.
The most important thing is finding someone who feels right for you—whether that's me or another qualified therapist in the area.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Fit
The best therapist for you isn’t just the one with the right degree—it’s the one who makes you feel understood. Therapy works best when you feel comfortable, so take your time, ask questions, and don’t settle for someone who doesn’t feel like a good match.
And if art therapy sounds like something you’d like to try, start exploring your options. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, perfectionism, grief, or just need a creative way to process life, the right therapist can help you express, heal, and grow—one brushstroke at a time.
