Art Therapists

Art Therapists score 30 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #529 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 25 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 13 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 5 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

30/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #529of 923 jobs
US workers: 22,640for Therapists, All Other
Median pay: $77,930a year
In real AI use: 5 of 25tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (4%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 13 (52%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 11 (44%)

Write treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to art therapy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Design art therapy sessions or programs to meet client's goals or objectives.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Confer with other professionals on client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Analyze or synthesize client data to draw conclusions or make recommendations for art therapy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Interpret the artistic creations of clients to assess their functioning, needs, or progress.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Customize art therapy programs for specific client populations, such as those in schools, nursing homes, wellness centers, prisons, shelters, or hospitals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Communicate client assessment findings and recommendations in oral, written, audio, video, or other forms.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Establish goals or objectives for art therapy sessions in consultation with clients or site administrators.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Gather client information from sources such as case documentation, client observation, or interviews of client or family members.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of treatments or therapy approaches.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Review research or literature in art therapy, psychology, or related disciplines.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Photograph or videotape client artwork for inclusion in client records or for promotional purposes.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Coordinate art showcases to display artwork produced by clients.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Conduct art therapy sessions, providing guided self-expression experiences to help clients recover from, or cope with, cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Assess client needs or disorders, using drawing, painting, sculpting, or other artistic processes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Talk with clients during art or other therapy sessions to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to the artistic process.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop individualized treatment plans that incorporate studio art therapy, counseling, or psychotherapy techniques.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Select or prepare artistic media or related equipment or devices to accomplish therapy session objectives.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Recommend or purchase needed art supplies or equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Supervise staff, volunteers, practicum students, or interns.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Instruct individuals or groups in the use of art media, such as paint, clay, or yarn.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops for other professionals, potential client groups, or the general community.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Teach art therapy techniques or processes to artists, interns, volunteers, or others.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Coordinate field trips for client groups to museums or other public displays of art.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about art therapists and AI

Will AI replace art therapists?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Art Therapists score 30 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #529 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 14 of the job's 25 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 11 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which art therapists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Write treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups".

Which art therapists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Conduct art therapy sessions, providing guided self-expression experiences to help clients recover from, or cope with, cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments"; "Assess client needs or disorders, using drawing, painting, sculpting, or other artistic processes"; "Talk with clients during art or other therapy sessions to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to the artistic process".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 5 of the 25 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as art therapists, and what do they earn?

About 22,640 people in the US (figure for Therapists, All Other), with median pay of $77,930 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.