Art therapy uses art media, the creative process and the resulting artwork as a therapeutic and healing process. Clients - young, old and in-between - are able to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem. Clients come from all walks of life, facing a full array of challenges. Individuals, couples, families and groups can all benefit from various art therapy formats. A key goal in art therapy is to improve or restore the client's functioning and their sense of personal well being. Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy. The process isn't an art lesson - it is grounded in the knowledge of human development, psychological theories and counseling techniques. Art therapists are governed by the American Art Therapy Association and are required to receive master's level training to enter the field.