As a grad student in art therapy, I can see how appealing and validating it is to live in one of the few states that have/will have a separate Art Therapy license for mental health workers.  This license will allow future art therapists like me to focus on what we've been trained for and what we're most passionate about--being art therapists and not general counselors.  With EVMS here and George Washington University nearby, Virginia is already a national hub for art therapy; it seems right to confirm and nurture this reputation by having our own licensure.