Counseling & Art Therapy | About the Program

Mission and Goals

As passionate, creative, and highly skilled educators, we aim to provide comprehensive, engaging, and in-depth counseling and art therapy education. Our students develop strong counselor-artist-therapist identities through growth-oriented and reflective classroom, studio, community, and clinical experience. We prepare world-class counselors and art therapists, who are culturally responsive, community-involved, ethical professionals with successful careers.

Counseling & Art Therapy will be recognized for excellence, integrity, and innovation in counseling and art therapy education.

  • Prepare competent entry-level Counselors in the knowledge, skills, awareness, actions, and professional dispositions learning domains.
  • Prepare competent entry-level Counselors in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (attitudes & behavior) learning domains.
  • Prepare counselors and art therapists with clinical competence in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, which includes fostering skills in the therapeutic use of a broad range of art processes and materials, integrative theoretical approaches, and requisite education needed for counseling licensure.
  • Prepare counselors and art therapists to speak and write professionally about mental health services.
  • Encourage students to develop an innovative, professional, ethical, research-minded, and culturally responsive approach to counseling and art therapy through academic inquiry personal art-making, and self-reflection for self-awareness. 

 The accomplishment of our goals will serve the:

  • Student, by fostering personal and professional discovery and development with the skills to become lifelong learners.
  • Client/patient, through student preparation to provide competent client/patient-centered primary and specialty care.
  • Institution, by contributing to a seamless learning environment that fosters the development of competent and compassionate mental healthcare professionals.
  • Community, by graduating professionals who understand the importance of community service, forging community alliances, and understanding culturally appropriate care.
  • World, by graduating culturally humble professionals who practice across the globe and contribute to research and social action.

As passionate, creative, and highly skilled educators, we aim to provide comprehensive, engaging, and in-depth counseling and art therapy education. Our students develop strong counselor-artist-therapist identities through growth-oriented and reflective classroom, studio, community, and clinical experience. We prepare world-class counselors and art therapists, who are culturally responsive, community-involved, ethical professionals with successful careers.

Counseling & Art Therapy will be recognized for excellence, integrity, and innovation in counseling and art therapy education.

  • Prepare competent entry-level Counselors in the knowledge, skills, awareness, actions, and professional dispositions learning domains.
  • Prepare competent entry-level Counselors in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (attitudes & behavior) learning domains.
  • Prepare counselors and art therapists with clinical competence in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, which includes fostering skills in the therapeutic use of a broad range of art processes and materials, integrative theoretical approaches, and requisite education needed for counseling licensure.
  • Prepare counselors and art therapists to speak and write professionally about mental health services.
  • Encourage students to develop an innovative, professional, ethical, research-minded, and culturally responsive approach to counseling and art therapy through academic inquiry personal art-making, and self-reflection for self-awareness. 

 The accomplishment of our goals will serve the:

  • Student, by fostering personal and professional discovery and development with the skills to become lifelong learners.
  • Client/patient, through student preparation to provide competent client/patient-centered primary and specialty care.
  • Institution, by contributing to a seamless learning environment that fosters the development of competent and compassionate mental healthcare professionals.
  • Community, by graduating professionals who understand the importance of community service, forging community alliances, and understanding culturally appropriate care.
  • World, by graduating culturally humble professionals who practice across the globe and contribute to research and social action.

Core Values

We adhere to high standards and accept responsibility for conducting ourselves as moral, rational professionals who are accountable stewards and ethical in our practices.

We foster a climate of energy and openness to explore using the creative process, which brings new knowledge and new connections to self, others, and our world.

We value self-awareness and the capacity for reflection as intrinsic to effective clinical practice and professional identity development. We strive to maintain these attributes within ourselves and to instill them in our students.

We dedicate ourselves to cultivating a learning environment that embraces diverse perspectives and lived experiences, developing a capacity for empathic understanding, and providing compassionate service to individuals, the community, and our world.

We embrace collaboration as a fundamental practice to build a professional community based on support and encouragement of individual and collective expression of ideas for learning, best practice, and growth.

We value richness and intensity in developing ourselves to be competent in the breadth of understanding about the complexity of the human experience which includes the unconscious, passion for healing, and connections to the soul.

We adhere to high standards and accept responsibility for conducting ourselves as moral, rational professionals who are accountable stewards and ethical in our practices.

We foster a climate of energy and openness to explore using the creative process, which brings new knowledge and new connections to self, others, and our world.

We value self-awareness and the capacity for reflection as intrinsic to effective clinical practice and professional identity development. We strive to maintain these attributes within ourselves and to instill them in our students.

We dedicate ourselves to cultivating a learning environment that embraces diverse perspectives and lived experiences, developing a capacity for empathic understanding, and providing compassionate service to individuals, the community, and our world.

We embrace collaboration as a fundamental practice to build a professional community based on support and encouragement of individual and collective expression of ideas for learning, best practice, and growth.

We value richness and intensity in developing ourselves to be competent in the breadth of understanding about the complexity of the human experience which includes the unconscious, passion for healing, and connections to the soul.

Student Learning Outcomes

Counseling & Art Therapy curriculum includes Competencies and Student Learning Outcomes for CAAHEP accreditation () and the eight (8) core learning areas for counseling education (). 

Counseling & Art Therapy completes annual program evaluations for continuous program improvement. The evaluation period is three (3) years and the goals for this evaluation cycle follow. 

Program Goals

Graduates of the Counseling & Art Therapy program are prepared as competent entry-level Counselors in Knowledge, Awareness, and Skills, and prepared as competent entry-level Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains:

  • with clinical competence in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, which includes fostering skills in the therapeutic use of a broad range of art processes and materials, integrative theoretical approaches, and requisite education needed for counseling licensure.
  • who speak and write professionally about mental health services.
  • to develop an innovative, professional, ethical, research-minded, and culturally responsive approach to counseling and art therapy through academic inquiry, personal art-making, and self-reflection.

Student Learning Outcomes (Competencies) by Program Goals:

Statements of observable, measurable results of the educational experience, linked to program goals (Section I), that specify what a student is expected to know or be able to do throughout a program; these must be detailed and meaningful enough to guide decisions in program planning, improvement, pedagogy, and practice.

Goal 1
  • 1.1 - CAAHEP 3.k.K.1. Describe basic tenets of psychotherapy and counseling theories (including psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, systemic)
  • 1.2 - CACREP 2.f.3.a. Describe theories of individual and family development across the lifespan
  • 1.3 - CAAHEP 2.f.3.c. Describe theories of normal and abnormal personality development
  • 1.4 - CAAHEP 2.f.3.e. Describe biological, neurological, and physiological factors that affect human development, functioning, and behavior
  • 1.5 - CAAHEP 3.k.S.l. Apply theory to practice through case analysis or critique of clinical scenarios. Students will demonstrate application of theoretical approaches
  • 1.6 - CACREP 2.F.5.h. Applies developmentally relevant counseling treatment or intervention plans
  • 1.7 - CAAHEP 3.i.S.3 Demonstrate case conceptualization skills (case formulation)
  • 1.8 - CACREP 2.F.3.h. Applies a general framework for understanding differing abilities and strategies for differentiated interventions
Goal 2
  • 2.1 - CAAHEP a.A.1. Value the historical antecedents to current professional Art Therapy Practice
  • 2.2 - CAAHEP b.K.1. Define the professional role and function of an Art Therapist
  • 2.3 - CAAHEP b.A.1. Acknowledge the value of developing a strong professional Art Therapist Identity founded in ethical practice
  • 2.4 - CAAHEP b.K.4. Define the role and process of professional Art Therapists advocating on behalf of the profession
  • 2.5 - CACREP Define the professional role and function of a Counselor
  • 2.6 - CACREP Acknowledge the valued of developing a strong professional Counselor Identity founded in ethical Practice.
Goal 3
  • 3.1 - CAAHEP b.A.5 Recognize the impact of personal and professional development through supervision, self-care practices appropriate to the Art Therapist professional role, and continuing education.
  • 3.2 - CACREP  f.1.1.Identifies self-care strategies appropriate to the counselor role

The program is continuing strategies to improve students' oral articulation of developmental and psychological therapy theories. The program exceed all goals and measures for written goals related to theories and development cultural humility for students. The oral comprehensive exams suggest that students will benefit from a focus on oral articulation of art therapist and counselor identity development. The program evaluated student comments and exit interviews to determine a focus on self-care for students as our third goal.

Graduate Program Satisfaction

93.1% of students/alumni expressed satisfaction with the program (each question should be evaluated for 85% or above with a score of 3/5 or greater) for the 2025 reporting period, with a 100% survey return rate [exceeds CAAHEP standard].

Specialty Area

Graduation Year

Student Retention Rate

(per enrollment year)

Number of Graduates

Positive Employment Rate

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

2025

87% retention rate for academic year 2025

9

 

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

2024

86% retention rate for academic year 2024

17

100% of graduates (Class of 2024) are employed in the mental health field or pursing an advanced degree within 10 months of graduation [exceeds CAAHEP standard] for the 2025 reporting period.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

2023

91% retention rate for academic year 2023

13

100% of graduates (Class of 2023) are employed in the mental health field within 5 months of graduation [exceeds CAAHEP standard] for the 2024 reporting period.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

2022

82% retention rate for academic year 2022

8

100% of graduates (Class of 2022) were positively placed (employment in the mental health field or continuing education within 3.5 months after graduation [exceeds CAAHEP standard] for the 2023 reporting period.

 

2021

78% retention rate for academic year 2021

10

100% of graduates were employed within 3.5 months after graduation. [exceeds CAAHEP standard] for the 2022 reporting period.

The Virginia Board of Counseling posts the pass/fail data for the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) by the university. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) provides this data to the Virginia Board of Counseling.

Counseling & Art Therapy has a 95% pass rate for 2021 (the most recent year reported by the VA Board of Counseling).

This exceeds the state average pass rate of 60% for schools across the US that have graduates taking the LPC exam in VA.

Technical Standards

1.01 Demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory, and tactile) in the classroom, lecture hall, studio, and internship settings.

1.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:

  1. Accurate observations of a patient near and at a distance; recognizing non-verbal and verbal signs.
  2. Accurate identification of differences in color, texture, shape, and other formal elements of artwork.
  3. Accurate visualization and discrimination of text, numbers, patterns, graphic illustrations, and key characteristics of other images.

2.01 Demonstrate effective communication skills with all ages and genders of patients who have a variety of diagnoses, disabilities, cultures, ethnicities, and personalities.

2.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:

  1. Clear, efficient, and intelligible articulation of verbal language.
  2. Legible, efficient, and intelligible written English language.
  3. Accurate and efficient reading skills (English language).
  4. Ability to prepare and communicate concise oral and written summaries of patient encounters.
  5. Ability to accurately follow oral and written directions.

3.01 Demonstrate critical reasoning skills, including, but not limited to, intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities.

3.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:

  1. Demonstrate ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize information.
  2. Demonstrate ability to acquire, retain, and apply new and learned information.
  3. Demonstrate appropriate judgment in patient assessment, diagnosis, monitoring, and evaluation, including planning, time management, and choice of counseling techniques and art materials.

4.01 Demonstrate sufficient motor and sensory function to perform typical functions of counselors and art therapists, including, but not limited to, assessments, evaluations, and work with communities, individual, group, and family treatment, psychoeducation, and wellness activities.

4.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:

  1. Functional and sufficient sensory capacity (visual, auditory, and tactile) to adequately perform intake interviews, risk assessment, common assessments & measures, and projective assessments.
  2. Execute motor movements to assess patients, provide assistance with techniques, and implement basic counseling techniques & art therapy processes.
  3. Execute motor movements that demonstrate safety and efficiency in the various learning settings (i.e., classroom, lecture hall, and clinical settings).
  4. Properly use materials, art materials, and tools for facilitating counseling and art making, including but not limited to, writing, drawing implements, brushes, clay tools, glue guns, etc.
  5. Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of a didactic and clinical study, which may include prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and/or rapid ambulation.

5.01 Demonstrate the behavioral and social attributes vital to participation in a professional program and service as a practicing professional counselor and art therapist.

5.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:

  1. Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of mental faculties (judgment, orientation, affect, and cognition).
  2. Ability to develop mature and effective professional relationships with faculty, patients, the public, and other members of the health care team.
  3. Possess personal qualities that facilitate effective therapeutic interactions (compassion, empathy, integrity, honesty, benevolence, confidentiality).
  4. Demonstrate objectivity and impartial motives, attitudes, and values in roles, functions, and relationships.
  5. Ability to monitor and react appropriately to one鈥檚 own emotional needs and responses, including and not limited to seeking support, accessing resources, and/or seeking counseling or therapy.
  6. Display appropriate flexibility and adaptability in the face of stress or uncertainty associated with clinical encounters and clinical environments.
  7. Compliance with standards, policies, and practices outlined in the 

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at 黑料不打烊 are committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of healthcare professionals' representative of the national population. We provide confidential and specialized disability support and are committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations. Students who, after review of the technical standards determine that they require accommodation(s) to fully engage in the program, should contact the Student Disability Services Department (StudentDisability@odu.edu) to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged.

Counseling & Art Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs () upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE).