Art Therapy Professor Mary Andrus Spearheads Pivotal Art Therapy Legislation
Earlier this year, Oregon Governor Kate Brown JD ’85 signed into law new licensure requirements and protections for art therapists practicing in Oregon.
The legislation was spearheaded and championed by Mary Andrus, assistant professor with term and director of L&C’s Art Therapy Program.
“With the increasing need for mental health services, this new legislation protects the public to ensure that practitioners are appropriately trained and qualified to practice,” says Andrus. “These new licensure requirements will make art therapy accessible to individuals who need the care the most and set standards for equitable reimbursement rates to licensed certified art therapists.” The new requirements go into effect on January 2, 2020.
Lewis & Clark’s master’s degree program in art therapy is the only one of its kind in Oregon and one of only 34 programs in the country. Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within therapeutic relationships.
