ATR-BC Exam Practice Test Questions
and Actual Answers 2025-2026
Updated.
What theorist's principle to follow when creating a "holding environment" for the client in art
therapy? - Answer Winnicott
Which stage of artistic development (Lowenfeld) would this situation describe: a group of 8–10-
year old's depicting scenes of action figures in detailed environments - Answer Dawning
Realism/ Gang
Which stage of psychosocial development (Erikson) is most applicable: a child displays an
interest in learning art techniques and exhibits satisfaction in peer relationships. - Answer
Industry
According to Jungian principles, an art therapist working with clients with dissociative
experiences, representing aspects of the self that are wise an nurturing can best be described as
an example of what? - Answer Archetype
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on what? - Answer Altering thought patterns that lead to
self-destructive behaviors
Which is a defense mechanism most often used by clients with depression? - Answer
Introjection- the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others.
What is the order of Maslow's hierarchy of needs? - Answer Physiological, safety, belonging
and love, self-esteem, self-actualization
An art therapist completing an intake assessment needs to communicate with an outside
psychiatrist regarding medication needs of a suicidal patient. What should they do first? -
Answer Obtain a signed release from the client to contact the psychiatrist
20-year old male sees an image of "bats feeding in tropical trees" when looking at a scribble.
What should the art therapist do next in order to create provisional diagnosis? - Answer A
second structured art assessment
, When writing objective in a treatment plan, goals must be - Answer measurable and
observable
When an art therapist sees a client for only one session, which concept is most effective? -
Answer Emphasis of the creative process
When asked to assess the amount of benefit a client would receive from art therapy after
discharge, what is the best source of information to help with recommendation? - Answer An
initial interview and a standardized art therapy assessment
A middle-aged man who is confined to a wheelchair who likes to work with his hands is referred
to art therapy. He is depressed and "needs something to do." Which approach should be used
first to determine client needs? - Answer Explore how he perceives himself and his current
situation
An 18 year old with a drug and sexual/physical abuse history draws a figure being eaten by a
large circular head with sharp teeth. What should the therapist do first? - Answer Have the
client explore his associations with the drawing
The first indication that a child is functioning at the schematic level is the emergence of what
image? - Answer Baseline
What does the Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS) assess? - Answer Response to structured vs.
unstructured drawing tasks
When conducting art therapy with clients with developmental disabilities, it is important to
learn what? - Answer family history
A client utilizing white paper and 16 oil pastels is most likely completing which assessment? -
Answer The Levick Emotional and Cognitive Art Therapy Assessment (LECATA)
When assessing children's drawings, consider the differences between emotional indicators and
- Answer body image
The art therapist is attempting to elicit information about cognitive functioning with a scribble.
and Actual Answers 2025-2026
Updated.
What theorist's principle to follow when creating a "holding environment" for the client in art
therapy? - Answer Winnicott
Which stage of artistic development (Lowenfeld) would this situation describe: a group of 8–10-
year old's depicting scenes of action figures in detailed environments - Answer Dawning
Realism/ Gang
Which stage of psychosocial development (Erikson) is most applicable: a child displays an
interest in learning art techniques and exhibits satisfaction in peer relationships. - Answer
Industry
According to Jungian principles, an art therapist working with clients with dissociative
experiences, representing aspects of the self that are wise an nurturing can best be described as
an example of what? - Answer Archetype
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on what? - Answer Altering thought patterns that lead to
self-destructive behaviors
Which is a defense mechanism most often used by clients with depression? - Answer
Introjection- the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others.
What is the order of Maslow's hierarchy of needs? - Answer Physiological, safety, belonging
and love, self-esteem, self-actualization
An art therapist completing an intake assessment needs to communicate with an outside
psychiatrist regarding medication needs of a suicidal patient. What should they do first? -
Answer Obtain a signed release from the client to contact the psychiatrist
20-year old male sees an image of "bats feeding in tropical trees" when looking at a scribble.
What should the art therapist do next in order to create provisional diagnosis? - Answer A
second structured art assessment
, When writing objective in a treatment plan, goals must be - Answer measurable and
observable
When an art therapist sees a client for only one session, which concept is most effective? -
Answer Emphasis of the creative process
When asked to assess the amount of benefit a client would receive from art therapy after
discharge, what is the best source of information to help with recommendation? - Answer An
initial interview and a standardized art therapy assessment
A middle-aged man who is confined to a wheelchair who likes to work with his hands is referred
to art therapy. He is depressed and "needs something to do." Which approach should be used
first to determine client needs? - Answer Explore how he perceives himself and his current
situation
An 18 year old with a drug and sexual/physical abuse history draws a figure being eaten by a
large circular head with sharp teeth. What should the therapist do first? - Answer Have the
client explore his associations with the drawing
The first indication that a child is functioning at the schematic level is the emergence of what
image? - Answer Baseline
What does the Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS) assess? - Answer Response to structured vs.
unstructured drawing tasks
When conducting art therapy with clients with developmental disabilities, it is important to
learn what? - Answer family history
A client utilizing white paper and 16 oil pastels is most likely completing which assessment? -
Answer The Levick Emotional and Cognitive Art Therapy Assessment (LECATA)
When assessing children's drawings, consider the differences between emotional indicators and
- Answer body image
The art therapist is attempting to elicit information about cognitive functioning with a scribble.
