Dr. Ellen G. Horovitz - Art Therapist

Dr. Ellen G. Horovitz is director of the Graduate Art Therapy Program at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York, and is currently on the Board of Directors for the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). She has also worked for many other schools, programs and hospitals as an art therapist for handicapped and emotionally-disturbed children, and at many universities and colleges as an instructor/supervisor of art therapists, including Pratt Institute.

A leader in the field of art therapy since the 1970s, Dr. Horovitz has won recognition for excellence in teaching, research, dedication and service; she has been published in prominent professional journals, including The Journal of Art Therapy; and she has written several books, including Spiritual Art Therapy: An Alternate Path and A Leap of Faith: The Call to Art.

She has appeared on television documentaries and talk shows; spoke and conducted workshops at national conferences for AATA, the American Dance Therapy Association, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and many other organizations; and sat on boards for many professional organizations.

Dr. Horovitz received her BA in Art Education from Windham College, her MA in Art Therapy from New York University, her PhD in Art Therapy from Union Institute, and received training through the MAE program at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Dr. Horovitz & Her Career

Tell us about your career. How and why did you become involved in art therapy?

I became an art therapist because I loved Psychology and Art. I had always leaned toward both fields and at an early age (16) had already experienced the value of using art materials with physically challenged individuals. As well, in college, I worked in the back wards of the Brattleboro Retreat (Brattleboro, Vermont). Here, I experienced first hand how instrumental art was with the chronic schizophrenic population. As a result, I triple majored in Art, Education, and Psychology. Art Therapy seemed a natural conversion of all these disciplines by the time I was ready to enter graduate school.

How did you discover your talent for art therapy?

My talent? I guess one could say that I experienced success with my patients early on in my career, and this naturally resulted in the direction which I have gone over the last 25 years. I think of my artistic talent as merely a conduit for working with people, since I hail from a Studio Art Therapy approach.

Puppet created by a client who went on to become a well-know model-maker.

You're now the Director of Graduate Art Therapy at Nazareth College of Rochester. How did you end up in this position?

That's a long story. But in short, I created an approved clinical training program in creative arts therapy at Hillside Children's Center in 1985. In 1992, we merged with Nazareth College of Rochester. I spearheaded the program, since the inception started from my efforts at Hillside. To get a more complete description, one can visit the Nazareth College Art Therapy web site.

In addition to your academic career and private practice in art therapy, you've done a lot of work with children and the disabled throughout your career. How important is this kind of work to you, personally?

Extremely. I feel that one must practice what one preaches. In other words, I feel as an educator that it is my duty to stay current with many different populations. Otherwise, I would be teaching from perspectives that might be outdated. That would be a disservice to my students. Besides, I love working clinically and feel privileged to work with my patients. We learn from each other. It is a mutual exchange, this work that I do with my patients. The old maxim that you can't take your patients any further than you have gone yourself is applicable here.

What has been your greatest success and biggest setback?

Perhaps my greatest success is this gift which I have been given in the work that I do. Really, I mean that. In terms of setbacks: Often, it is the bureaucracy and how it has negatively impacted some of the patients with whom I have worked. Actually, I will be writing about that latter subject in my forthcoming book. These days, however, there seems to be less and less of that occurring. This has resulted from increased education about the field. It was more difficult 20 years ago when the field was less established.

You've also appeared on television, as keynote speaker at meetings and conferences, won awards, published several books, and written many articles and papers on art therapy for professional journals and publications. How important is this kind of recognition to your career?

I guess that maybe I should turn the question back and ask how important recognition is to you or the world for that matter? That's a really tough question: if the question is do I thrive on these kinds of accolades, I guess the answer is a flat out no. It certainly is nice to be reinforced however for the work that I do.

The books on the other hand, I consider another form of my art. I define myself very much as an artist as well as a writer. I feel drawn toward multiple media: art, writing, music, dance, drama, etc. For me, the creative process is something that I have to do. It's not about recognition as much as it is about the creative process: I have to create. It matters not what form it takes.

Dr. Horovitz's work, called BABKA SMIETANKOWA, which is Polish for Sweet Cupcake. Media is Oil on Linen Tablecloth and mixed media.

But, how has this kind of recognition helped you? Has it opened doors that might not have been open otherwise?

If you put it that way, of course, all of the above has helped broaden people's persepctive on Art Therapy. It also adds credibility to the field which is still very much in the neophyte stage. I hope that helps clarify, but the aforementioned answer still stands.

Do you have a favorite piece that you've done? Are you working on anything now intended for publication?

Yes and yes. Actually, right now I am working on a 6'6" horse for a campaign in Rochester called Horses on Parade. It is without a doubt, pushing the envelope for me. But again, if you were to ask what my favorite piece is that I have done, I can honestly answer: My next one.

I am working on two things intended for publication. One is a collection of short stories which will be published under a pseudonym and the other is non-fiction (related to the field of Art Therapy - the latter is just in the incipient stages).

The Actual Work

What exactly do art therapists do? What are your key responsibilities?

For an answer to what we do, I suggest that your readers visit the website of the American Art Therapy Association.

In terms of what I do, specifically: I might administer a battery of assessments, write up an art therapy assessment, and then actually do treatment ranging from individual, to group or family art therapy. A lot depends on the client and the referring circumstances. Sometimes, when a patient has experienced multiple batteries, I might simply start with studio-based work and skip over the assessment. That doesn't mean that I don't glean information from the client. On the contrary, very mark has meaning and so, too, does every erasure. But often, I become a message or image-orator by way of providing the art materials for the client.

My responsibilities vary from job to job. It is wholly different when one works as a consultant or in an agency as opposed to private practice. In private practice, it becomes more complex and far reaching. If you are the primary therapist then your responsibilities can swing from the spectrum of social work to the primary care of the patient. This includes dovetailing with physicians, judges (or law guardians in some instances), family members, and sometimes even community members that might be important in the caretaking of the individual.

Are there any particular mediums that you use the most, or is that entirely up to the client?

It is often up to the client, but I tend to like to use clay with my clients. I find this medium to be forgiving and able to withstand positive and negative energy in a way that paints, for example, cannot. Clay can be pounded, pinched, torn, and then just as readily, the client can reintegrate with the same piece and reconstruct his or her experience. In this way, the material can be very forgiving and consoling.

Describe a typical day of work for you.

Again, it depends on the day: waking, meditating; checking email, communicating with people from close to countries very far away; writing for a period of time (books, etc.); getting kids off to school; working on my current art project (the horse which will be on display somewhere in Rochester, NY - now living in my house in a make shift studio space to accommodate its size - 6'6"); going to work and teaching a class; working out at the pool or gym (VERY IMPORTANT part of my day - my refueling point); taking care of the basic necessities (eating, bathroom, etc); coming home and seeing a private patient in my studio; feeding the kids, playing at the mother role for awhile; working on the horse some more; well, you get the picture, it varies depending on the day.

You're involved with nearly a dozen professional organizations. How important is it to collaborate with your art therapy colleagues? How have your professional collaborations benefited your career?

It is extremely important to collaborate with others, especially those outside my field. For example, my past work and association with the deaf community is and remains a very important part of my work. It has even influenced the horse, which I am now creating. The benefit to my career of course has been enormous but the personal associations have had even greater meaning.

What are some of the professional organizations for art therapists?

For starters:

American Art Therapy Association

Art Therapy Credentialing Board

International Arts Medicine Association

Art Therapy Student Forum

Art Therapy in Canada

And some chat pages:

Dan Leopold's Chat Page

Art Therapy E-Group

Are there any myths about art therapy professionals that you can dispel for us?

Fortunately for me, I have not been privy to these myths and would prefer to remain blissfully ignorant.

Education Information & Advice

What are your degrees and where did you receive them? What did you like and dislike about your art therapy-related education?

My degrees are MA, MAE, and Ph.D. I received training at Rhode Island School of Design in Art Education, I received a master's degree in Art Therapy from New York University and a Ph.D. in Art Therapy from Union Institute.

I liked all of my education and continue to become educated in that which interest me and relates to me.

How can prospective art students assess their skill and aptitude for art therapy?

If students have a keen interest in people and love art, it probably would make a great career choice.

Artwork done by a client, age 11, who discovered the body after his father had committed suicide.

Must an art therapist also be a gifted artist?

Personally, I believe that one needs to be a competent and skilled artist to be successful in this career. While some might disagree with that, I believe strongly in the evocative power of art. As a result, the more creative one is as an artist might suggest heightened abilities as an art therapist.

One doesn't have to be necessarily gifted to do good work in this field, but I truly feel the best art therapists are also extremely talented artists. This has been my experience as an educator.

So, is it better to get an undergraduate degree in a particular art specialty before pursuing a graduate degree in art therapy?

As a studio based art therapist, I would say yes, but there are as many people who might argue the contrary and suggest that Psychology is a better preparation for the field.

I feel that a blend of both gives the best possible preparation of the field as well as some life experience (e.g., volunteering with the a population that might give you some idea of how you feel about working with people; after all, that is the business that we are in!).

Based on what you hear in the industry, what do you think are the five most respected and prestigious schools, departments or programs for art therapy?

Mine of course! No really, I don't feel that I could or should answer that question. Several schools have been approved by the American Art Therapy Association and must go through a rigorous process for approval. A complete Education List has been compiled by the American Art Therapy Association and is available from the association. The number is: (888) 290-0878.

What other factors should prospective students consider when choosing a school? Are there any different considerations for those who know that they want to specialize in art therapy?

Yes, and a lot of it depends on location. My advice is for students to request catalogues from the various institutions and to pour over those catalogues. Choose a school that it is a good philosophical fit in order to be happy.

Job Information & Advice

Who are three of the most renowned art therapists in the world right now? How did they get to the top of the profession?

By Dr. Horovitz, titled The Lighter Side of Manic Depression, oil and mixed media

That question is difficult to answer because I am not those people. In my opinion, I would suggest that the answer to that is: Edith Kramer, Don Jones, and Shaun McNiff.

The first two are pioneers in the field and fortunately for the field, very much alive. The last one, Shaun McNiff, is one of the pioneers of the next generation. All of them can be contacted through the American Art Therapy Association.

What is the average salary for art therapists? What are people at the top of this profession paid?

The salary ranges from place to place. Anywhere from mid-30's to about $70,000 for salaried positions. Salaries can range significantly higher than that if one is in private practice. There was a demographic article about such issues a few years ago. It is a few years old, but here is the reference: Rauch, T.M. & Elkins, D.E. (1998). American Art Therapy Association, Inc.: 1996-1997 membership survey. Art Therapy, Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. 15,3, 191-202.

What kinds of jobs are available for art therapy graduates? What are the best ways to find a good job in the field?

There are numerous jobs which range from advertised art therapy positions to those related to the human services. Many students have also procured jobs in the field of social work while practicing art therapy. My students have been extremely successful in obtaining jobs and many have employment before they even graduate. Four out of my 14 students graduating this year are already in this position.

How available are internships in this field?

Internships are a prerequisite at most of the schools that train art therapists. At my school, we have over 60 site placements from which to choose.

How is the job market now for the art therapy industry? What do you think it will be in 5 years?

The job market seems excellent right now, based on my students' employment and I believe that this will continue.

Industry Trends

What are some of the trends that you see in the field of art therapy which could help students plan for the future?

One of the trends is to be knowledgeable in other areas besides the field of art therapy. As a result, at Nazareth College, we are training students in an interdisciplinary clinic on campus. Here, students are exposed to Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, etc. They also work with these therapists at the clinic and often sharing the same clients.

Has the popularity of the Internet affected your profession?

It makes me more aware of what others are doing, aids my students in their research, and offers me a vast area of networking and increasing my own knowledge base.

Closing Remarks

Is there anything else you can tell us about yourself, your career, or the profession that would be interesting or helpful to others aspiring to enter and succeed in art therapy?

If the field piques your interest, volunteer somewhere and use art materials with that population and see if you LIKE working with people. If you love art and like working with people then follow your heart. Giving is the greatest gift of all.