Art Therapy

Art Therapy at BOCES 2

Artwork showing storm on lake with trees
At Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES, art therapy services are provided to address educational goals of students who demonstrate therapeutic need and have difficulties expressing themselves verbally.

The purpose of art therapy is to provide opportunities for positive experiences that enhance classroom functioning and help with school performance. The primary goal is to help a student reach their full potential. Art therapy can be tailored to support a student’s academic, social, or emotional needs. Art therapy utilizes a variety of art materials and techniques including drawing, sculpting, painting and crafting.  

Who Provides the Service?

Artwork with floral forms
Art therapy is provided by a trained professional who holds the national ATR-BC (Art Therapist Registered, Board Certified) and is licensed by New York State as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (or LCAT).

Who Gets the Service?

Painting of bird of paradise flower
Art therapy is provided to students in preschool through age 21 who qualify for art therapy services through a formal evaluation. Therapists use drawing assessments to determine a student’s emotional functioning, social and academic needs, areas of growth, and ability to engage with the materials. Based on the assessment, goals and objectives are established to meet the needs on the student’s IEP.

Students do not need any prior experience with art in order to benefit from art therapy. Services are contingent upon approval through the CPSE or CSE process.

(Featured artwork provided by BOCES 2 students.)

For More Information

Contact: 
Christopher Gold, MA, LCAT, MT-BC 
Department Chair - Music & Art Therapy
160 Wallace Way, Building 9 
Rochester, NY 14624
Phone: (585) 617-2325
Fax: (585) 349-8897

Why Art Therapy?

According to the American Art Therapy Association:
  • Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
  • Art therapy, as a therapeutic tool, is especially appropriate for students who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally.
  • Art therapy can help with:
    • - Learning disabilities
    • - Behavior disorders
    • - Improved self-esteem
    • - Social skills
    • - Bullying
    • - Physical challenges which impair motor control
    • - Situations that may affect school performance.
  • Art therapy’s primary goal is to help each student reach their full potential.
Colorful pencil shavings