The Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) was founded in 1977 to unite and promote the emerging profession of art therapy in Canada.

On November 24, 1981, CATA became an incorporated non-profit organization with Industry Canada (formerly known as Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada).

Vision

A world where everyone can heal and flourish through connection and creativity.

Mission

CATA stewards the profession of art therapy in Canada while cultivating an inclusive Canadian art therapy community through establishing standards, offering career development to members, advocating for and supporting the profession.

Values

We see ourselves as guided by five key values:

1. Collective voices of our members

2. Commitment to art therapy best practices

3. Inclusion & diversity

4. Collaboration, creativity, and innovation

5. Integrity and accountability in action

What We Do

CATA-ACAT works in cooperation with provincial art therapy associations to raise professional standards in the interest of public safety and trust. This includes upholding ethical standards; setting standards and processes for professional and registered designations for art therapists; working with art therapy training programs to ensure that they meet CATA’s educational standards; publishing a tri-annual online magazine and bi-annual academic journal, support and encouraging research about art therapy and raising awareness about of art therapy in Canada.

Links

CATA-ACAT Fact Sheet

CATA-ACAT Advocacy Sheet

Archives