Art-based ABA vs. Art Therapy: Understanding the Differences for ABA Practitioners

As more ABA practitioners explore integrating art into their programming, an important (and ethical) question arises:When is art a behavior-analytic intervention, and when does it cross into art therapy?

At Canvas ABA—and across progressive ABA practices—we believe in using art as a powerful tool for teaching, reinforcing, and expanding socially significant behaviors. But it’s critical that behavior analysts understand the distinction between behavior-based art interventions and art therapy, and stay firmly within our ethical and professional boundaries.

Let’s break it down clearly.

What Is Behavior-Based Art in ABA?

When behavior analysts use art within programming, we are:

• Targeting observable, measurable behaviors (e.g., drawing, painting, tool use, peer sharing),

• Defining specific learning objectives (e.g., task completion, emotional tacting, leisure engagement),

• Using behavior-analytic principles (prompting, shaping, reinforcement, task analysis),

• Collecting systematic data on skill acquisition and generalization,

• Embedding art into goals that are functionally meaningful for the client.

In behavior-based art interventions, art is the medium through which we teach and reinforce behaviors—it’s not the therapy itself.

Examples include:

• Teaching a client to independently complete a watercolor painting to build leisure skills

• Shaping manding behaviors during group art projects,

• Using art to prompt self-management and emotional regulation strategies.

• Painting a picture of a problem we are workign on through an ACT core process

It’s behavior analytic, evidence-based, and conceptually systematic.

What Is Art Therapy?

Art therapy, by contrast, is:

• A psychotherapeutic practice,

• Conducted by credentialed art therapists (e.g., ATR-BC: Registered Art Therapist, Board Certified),

• Focused on psychological healing and emotional exploration through the art-making process,

• Often rooted in psychodynamic, humanistic, or trauma-informed models.

In art therapy:

• The art process itself is the therapeutic intervention,

• The clinician may interpret the art to access unconscious material or emotional states,

• Treatment goals focus on emotional healing, identity exploration, and resolving trauma.

Art therapy is not behavior analytic and falls outside the BACB’s scope of competence unless dual-licensed.

Art-Based ABA	Art Therapy
Focus on observable behavior & skill acquisition	Focus on emotional exploration and psychological healing
Data-driven, measureable goals	Emotionally process-oriented
Uses behavior-analytic strategies like prompting, shaping, reinforcement	Uses psychodynamic, expressive techniques
Conducted by BCBA or a behavior technician under supervision of BCBA/BCaBA	Conducted by licensed art therapists
Aims for functional, socially-significant outcomes	Aims for emotional growth, trauma healing, identity work

Ethical Considerations for Behavior Analysts

The BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (2022) clearly outlines that practitioners must:

• Practice within their scope of competence.

• Refer to other professionals when necessary.

• Obtain ongoing education when expanding areas of practice.

If a client would benefit from emotional processing, trauma resolution, or clinical psychological support through art, behavior analysts must refer to a licensed art therapist.

1. Using art to teach observable behaviors? ✅ Yes, within ABA.

   
   

2. Interpreting symbolic meaning or treating trauma through art? 🚫 No, outside ABA—refer appropriately.

How Behavior Analysts Can Ethically Integrate Art

Here’s how BCBAs can safely and ethically use art in practice:

• Clearly define behavior goals (e.g., "client will independently complete a three-step art task").

• Operationalize outcomes (e.g., "client will tact emotions using color choices 4/5 sessions").

• Reinforce process-oriented behaviors (e.g., persistence, creativity, flexibility).

• Stay data-driven: measure skill acquisition, social engagement, and generalization.

• Never interpret the meaning of artwork beyond observable, client-stated responses.

• Consult or collaborate with art therapists when interdisciplinary support is needed.

Conclusion: Creativity with Clarity

Art absolutely belongs in behavior analysis—as long as we use it within a behavior-analytic framework. By understanding the clear distinction between behavior-based art and art therapy, we protect:

• Our clients’ best interests,

• Our professional integrity,

• And the ethical future of our field.

Creativity enhances ABA.Ethical clarity ensures it empowers—not confuses—the science we practice.

🔗 Interested in learning more about behavior-analytic applications of art?Explore our CEU courses designed for progressive, ethical practitioners → CanvasABA.com/ceu-library