Art Therapy Services

Art therapy is a mental health profession in which a registered art therapist uses art media, the creative process and the resulting artwork to explore patients’ feelings, resolve emotional conflicts, increase self-awareness, manage behaviors, develop social skills, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem. Art therapy focuses on restoring the patient's ability to function and improve their sense of personal well-being.

• Art Therapy as a Profession from the American Art Therapy Association
• Local chapter information from the South Texas Art Therapy Association

Art Therapists are Master’s level mental health professionals trained in visual arts and the creative process, as well as human development, psychology and counseling theories and techniques. An individual practicing as an Art Therapist must be a registered Art Therapist (ATR) or Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) through the Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc.

Open art studio groups and individual Art Therapy services (as needed) are offered in the following programs:

• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Inpatient unit
• Children’s Cancer and Blood Center- Outpatient Hematology/Oncology & BMT clinic
• Survivorship Clinic for Pediatric BMT- Cognitive & Emotional Assessment

Graduate Art Therapy Internship opportunities are offered throughout the year and placements are based on availability. Please note, a formal affiliation between your institution and Methodist Children’s Hospital must be established in order to receive course credit toward an internship. Please check with your institution to confirm that an affiliation agreement is already active with our hospital. It is the internship applicant's responsibility to confirm the affiliation prior to applying.

Interns are introduced to the Art Therapy field while building their therapeutic practice and increasing their awareness of emotional and cognitive effects of children within the healthcare setting. Students should expect to observe and facilitate group and individual Art Therapy sessions with children, adolescents, young adults and their families. A Board-Certified and Registered Art Therapist will provide direct supervision throughout internship experience.

Complete the Graduate Art Therapy Internship Application.

Application deadline is six months prior to internship start date as time may be needed to establish affiliation agreement.

Completed applications should be mailed or faxed to:

Art Therapist for Tracy’s Kids Program
Children’s Cancer and Blood Center
4410 Medical Drive Suite 550
San Antonio, TX 78229
Fax: (210)-575-5936

Thank you for your interest in supporting our Pediatric Art Therapy program at Methodist Children’s Hospital! One option is to take a look at our Art Supplies Wish List to help you in selecting items to donate. Please keep in mind, all supplies must be new and unused, in order to protect the health and safety of our patients.

Tracy’s Kids is a 501.c.3 charitable organization and operates solely on financial contributions made by corporations, foundations, and individuals. Our future goal for the Methodist Children’s Hospital program is to be fully funded by local grants. Thank you to the local foundations who continue to support our program!

• The Blue Bird Auxiliary of Methodist Hospital
• The Harvey Najim Family Foundation
• The Greehey Family Foundation
• Rowan Jameson Windham Foundation