Creative Arts Therapy is a practice of psychotherapy that integrates creativity and expressive arts with mental and behavioral health counseling.

A creative arts therapist may utilize art, dance, drama, music and poetry/creative writing as the psychotherapeutic intervention through which patients can express their inner conflict, heal past wounds, manage fear, anxiety and depression, resolve interpersonal challenges, change unwanted behaviors, and cope with trauma and stress.

The need for an expansion of mental health services in Michigan has never been greater.  Children, adults and the elderly all benefit from self-expression and telling their stories - from those struggling with learning and developmental disabilities, to recovering from traumatic brain injury and illness, to our aged with Alzheimer’s, the artistic process is a powerful method for healing.  Often, conventional psychotherapy won’t work for all patients, and we need an alternative, evidence-based pathway of recovery that will help bridge the gap.  People need relief and they need it now.

However, without licensure for creative arts therapy, those who need these important interventions cannot access them - private pay services often cost too much for most Michiganders and insurance carriers won’t cover the services without licensure.  While there is much research on the benefits of any one form of creative arts therapy, hospitals and other institutions often will not employ these therapists if they cannot submit billing to Medicare, Medicaid or health insurance plans.

Through this petition, we creative arts therapists are seeking the support of the Michigan House and Senate, the Governor, and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to finally enact a license that is broad enough to include all creative arts therapies and comprehensive enough to expand healthcare benefits to all those who need them in Michigan.

Please join our effort today by signing the petition and forwarding the link to your social media pages, colleagues, friends and patients.

Thank you for your support,

Jodi Leib Coden, MA, RDT, CDP, CATP

Registered Drama Therapist / Certified Dementia Practitioner / Certified Child & Adolescent Trauma Professional