I am a practicing Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia. Art Therapists are often envied by LPCs and LCSWs alike because of our additional skill sets, learned from our personal experiences as Artists and our graduate level training in the application of art and creative interventions for meeting client needs. Art Therapists deserve respect and to be solidified as "eligible" practitioners without jumping through additional hoops to obtain LPC status. Some Art Therapists may choose to still pursue additional state licensure, but providers should be eligible to practice as an Art Therapist without this requirement as the education and training of an Art Therapy program and supervision, approved by the ATCB, is more than adequate to provide high quality mental health care. There is currently a high level of need and demand for Art Therapists eligible for taking insurance. It is necessary that this be addressed to ensure that families who cannot afford self-pay are also able to obtain services that meet their needs. Many mental health providers find that clients who they see require Art Therapy and attempt to practice outside of their scope because of lack of eligible Art Therapists in their localities. This puts clients at risk of harm. Allowing Art Therapists to practice fully with Art therapy license without LPC status would allow for more clients to receive the service most appropriate to their needs. I urge you to support Art Therapy licensure for the state of Virginia to ensure equitable access to all.