The American Art Therapy Association’s initiative to pass model regulatory legislation that began around 2000 focused on pursuing title protection for art therapists individually, and/or to amend existing state counseling laws to include the art therapy equivalent.  Model legislation was created and used by several states.  In 2009, the Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Affairs made recommendations, for the above initiative, indicating a slight shift in focus to reflect a changing professional climate. The Committee’s recommendation was not to pursue independent licensure of art therapy, since, given the current economic climate, it is unlikely that new state licensing boards will be created.

American Art Therapy Association will continue to strengthen relationships with counseling organizations like the American Counseling Association, American Association for State Counseling Boards, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, state counseling associations, and credentialing and licensing bodies to support this effort.