Virginia art therapists have worked hard over the course of many years to pass legislation creating a unique license for art therapists that protects the public and allows art therapists to practice art therapy in its own right. Creating a licensure process for Art Therapists will allow communities to be served in more robust ways and will also provide more protection for the public, so that there are less 'bad actors' engaging in unethical and harmful practices, when they have not been appropriately trained for the job. Licensure for Art Therapists in the state of Virginia would empower our community to better address the mental health crisis within the state and practice art therapy as art therapists, rather than as practitioners of other mental healthcare professions, as Art Therapists are specifically trained for this work (in the creative process, psychological development, group therapy, art therapy assessment, psychodiagnostics, research methods, and multicultural competency development and cultural humility).  The coursework, typically involved for Art Thearpists includes Psychopathology, Psychological assessment, Human growth and development, Counseling/Psychological theories, Helping relationships, Research, Professional orientation, Ethical and legal issues, Multicultural and social issues, History and theory of art therapy, Materials and techniques of practice in art therapy, Creativity studies, Studio art, Application of art therapy with people in different treatment settings, Art therapy assessment, Group art therapy, Culminating thesis or project, and Practicum and internships.   Everyday, art therapists support clients’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being, including children experiencing behavioral challenges, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder; people and caregivers in medical crises; victims of violence or other trauma—from military service members to student survivors of mass shootings; older adults struggling with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease; or anyone that needs help coping with life’s challenges.   Providing further efforts to support Art Therapists in meeting the needs of the public, through implementing Licensure for this profession, would be a wonderful way to also support the people of Virginia and empower our state to use more creative opportunities for people to heal, grow, and learn about what allows them to live their healthiest and happiest lives.