New Hampshire § 326-L-1 - Section 326-L:1 Definitions.

§ 326-L-1. Section 326-L:1 Definitions.

In this chapter: I. "Professional art therapy" means the integrated use of psychotherapeutic principles, art media, and the creative process to assist individuals, families, or groups in: (a) Increasing awareness of self and others; (b) Coping with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences; (c) Enhancing cognitive abilities; and (d) Identifying and assessing clients' needs in order to implement therapeutic intervention to meet developmental, behavioral, mental, and emotional needs. II. "Practice of professional art therapy" means to engage professionally and for compensation in art therapy and appraisal activities by providing services involving the application of art therapy principles and methods in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of psychological problems and emotional or mental conditions that includes, but is not limited to: (a) Clinical appraisal and treatment activities during individual, couples, family, or group sessions which provide opportunities for expression through the creative process; (b) Using the process and products of art creation to tap into a client's inner fears, conflicts, and core issues with the goal of improving physical, mental, and emotional functioning and well-being; (c) Using diagnostic art therapy assessments to determine treatment goals and implement therapeutic art interventions which meet developmental, mental, and emotional needs; and (d) Employing art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to assist clients to: (1) Reduce psychiatric symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and attachment disorders; (2) Enhance neurological, cognitive, and verbal abilities, develop social skills, aid sensory impairments, and move developmental capabilities forward in specific areas; (3) Cope with symptoms of stress, anxiety, traumatic experiences, and grief; (4) Explore feelings, gain insight into behaviors, and reconcile emotional conflicts; (5) Improve or restore functioning and a sense of personal well-being; (6) Increase coping skills, self-esteem, awareness of self, and empathy for others; (7) Channel feelings of anger and guilt in a healthy way; and (8) Improve school performance, family functioning, and parent/child relationship.