When most people think of addiction recovery, they might think of psychotherapy, group therapy, or medication treatment. While all of these are powerful methods for treating addiction, there is another form of therapy that can be just as effective – art therapy.
Art therapy for addiction recovery has been used in various treatment settings for decades and has been proven to help individuals struggling with substance abuse. It allows people to express their emotions and experiences in a safe, creative way. If you’re interested in this highly beneficial form of therapy, here’s how you can find art therapy for addiction recovery near you.
Find a Licensed Art Therapist
Like all mental health professionals, art therapists need to have some form of licensure available. While these vary from state to state, most art therapists are licensed by the Art Therapy Credentials Board, or ACTB.
If you find someone that is licensed by the ACTB and meets your state’s licensing requirements, you’re off to a good start! However, there are other mental health providers that can double as art therapists. These can include professionals in:
- Psychology
- Counseling
- Social Work
- Occupational therapy
- Recreational therapy
Any of these professionals might offer art therapy as one of their treatment options. Don’t be afraid to ask if they have experience in using art therapy for addiction recovery specifically.
Seek Referrals or Recommendations
One of the easiest ways to find art therapy for addiction recovery is to ask for personal references and referrals. Being in the recovery community, you’ll have ample time to interact with different group members or sponsors.
Don’t be afraid to ask them for their recommendations for an art therapist in your area. Did they feel art therapy was helpful, or time-consuming? What was their favorite part of the sessions?
These questions can help you gauge whether or not a particular art therapist is right for you. Keep in mind that everyone’s experience with therapy is different, so a positive recommendation doesn’t guarantee a perfect fit.
Look at Online Reviews
If you’re new to the recovery world or simply don’t feel ready to interact with others yet, online reviews can be a great resource. Many art therapists have websites or online profiles where you can read client reviews and learn more about their approach to therapy.
Look for reviewers who mention art therapy specifically, and pay attention to the overall tone of the review. Unfortunately, fake online reviews do exist, so if you run into one, it’s best to avoid that art therapist completely. However, if you find reviews with a good balance of positive and negative feedback, this most likely means they’re real.
Pay attention to things like:
- How the art therapy personnel respond to reviews
- Pricing and session length
- Location and availability
A good art therapist knows how to respond healthily to criticism and use feedback to improve their practice.
Check Your Insurance Plan
If you have insurance, check with your provider to see if they cover art therapy for addiction recovery. Unfortunately, many insurance plans still don’t cover the cost of alternative therapies, including art therapy, as part of their mental health coverage.
Don’t worry, there might be a workaround. That’s because many inpatient and outpatient treatment centers already offer art therapy as part of their program. If this is the case, insurance may cover the cost of art therapy as part of your overall treatment program.
Look at Local Treatment Centers
Lastly, one of the easiest ways to find art therapy is to look at local treatment centers. Many offer art therapy as part of their program, and some even have specialized programs for those looking to explore the healing power of art and other alternative treatments, such as yoga.
To find these treatment centers, you can do a simple online search or reach out to your doctor or therapist for recommendations. It’s always a good idea to tour the facility and speak with the staff beforehand to make sure it’s a good fit for you.
Additionally, some treatment centers offer sliding scale payment options or financial assistance for those who may not have insurance coverage or means to pay for art therapy. Don’t be afraid to ask about these options when researching treatment centers!
Create Your Perfect Treatment Plan Today
At the Berman Center, our outpatient treatment program in Atlanta, GA, is here to help you get started on your journey to sobriety. We offer a variety of traditional and alternative therapies, including intensive outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and art therapy, to provide our clients with a well-rounded treatment plan tailored to their needs. Reach out to us today to learn more about our program and how we can help you incorporate art therapy into your mental health and addiction recovery journey!
