International Art Therapy Association is a professional and service-oriented organization dedicated to advancing structured learning, ethical awareness, practical training, and professional development in art therapy, drawing-based approaches, and expressive arts.
The Association focuses on the application of art therapy-related methods in educational support, mental health support, personal growth, group facilitation, and social service settings. It supports helping professionals in integrating creative expression into appropriate professional practice while respecting local laws, ethical principles, and professional boundaries.
Since 2018, IATA has developed training, professional development, and educational exchange collaborations with the Association of Chinese Professional Training and Development (ACP) and the WMECA Mental Health Committee, jointly supporting the development of art therapy-related learning systems and professional training.
The Association of Chinese Professional Training and Development (ACP) focuses on professional training, continuing education, and the integration of educational resources in Asia, providing development support for learners and professionals.
The WMECA Mental Health Committee focuses on psychology-related training, resource sharing, and international exchange, supporting the development of professional learning, psychological technique training, and educational service platforms.
Our Mission
IATA is committed to promoting structured learning and responsible practice in art therapy, drawing-based approaches, and expressive arts. The Association supports learners and professionals from education, psychology, social service, public welfare, and related helping fields in developing structured, ethical, and practical approaches to helping work.
The Association encourages art therapy learners, drawing therapy learners, artists, educators, counseling-related professionals, and group facilitators to contribute to the professional development of art therapy-related work through continuous learning, ethical awareness, and respect for individual differences and professional boundaries.
Our Vision
We aim to support the safe, ethical, and structured application of art therapy and drawing-based approaches across mental health support, education, personal growth, creative development, family support, group facilitation, and social care.
We believe that art is not only a form of expression, but also a pathway to understanding emotions, relationships, personal experiences, and growth. We hope more people can access the supportive value of creative expression within appropriate professional settings and clear ethical boundaries.
Our Certification
IATA-related certification is based on course learning, practical training, case understanding, ethical awareness, and comprehensive assessment. It is designed to help learners develop foundational knowledge, artwork observation skills, questioning and facilitation skills, emotional understanding, and group facilitation thinking in art therapy-related learning.
Training may include multiple creative media such as drawing, clay, music, LEGO, and collage, helping learners understand how creative expression can be applied in emotional expression, self-exploration, relationship understanding, and helping practice.
Training may include multiple creative media such as drawing, clay, music, LEGO, and collage, helping learners understand how creative expression can be applied in emotional expression, self-exploration, relationship understanding, and helping practice.
Upon completing designated courses, practical exercises, and assessment requirements, learners may receive relevant course certification as evidence of professional development, continuing education, and personal capacity building. The scope of practice should be based on the learner’s professional background and comply with local laws, regulations, and professional standards.