EMU Launches Art Therapy Minor to Help Healing

When words fail during times of crisis or struggle, art can become a powerful second language for healing.

Eastern Mennonite University is launching an art therapy minor this fall, giving students a clear pathway to careers that blend creativity with mental health support. The program combines visual arts courses with psychology studies, preparing graduates for graduate programs in art therapy or clinical mental health counseling.

Anna Westfall, associate professor of art, developed the minor after years of hearing student interest. Rachel Tusing, a 2025 graduate who majored in both art and psychology, was one of those students searching for direction.

"Art is like a second language for me," Tusing said. She struggled to find a clear path to becoming an art therapist during her undergraduate years but is now enrolled in EMU's graduate counseling program.

The minor replaces a previous concentration that ran from 2019 to 2022. Dr. Michael Horst, dean of Health, Behavioral, and Natural Sciences, worked with Westfall to get the program approved by the Academic Council in November.

The Ripple Effect

Art therapists serve people across all walks of life. They work with children facing behavioral challenges, veterans coping with trauma, older adults with dementia, and survivors of violence. These professionals use creative expression to help clients communicate when traditional language falls short.

The career opportunities are growing too. Registered art therapists work in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, psychiatric facilities, schools, and private practices. Students can pursue certification as an Art Therapist Registered after completing a master's degree in the field.

EMU's program offers four different concentrations depending on a student's major. Psychology majors need 18 visual arts credits, while studio art majors complete 16 psychology credits. The flexibility means students can explore both interests while building toward a meaningful career.

Tusing sees the minor as EMU's commitment to supporting arts in healing spaces. "Art is grounding, tender and empowering, and it belongs in mental health care," she said.

Students can now declare the minor and still add fall courses through the first week of September.