The art of healing: Ono International School’s premier visual art therapy program

“The psychological and emotional toll of persistent violence, from terrorist attacks to military operations, has been immense, especially for those living near conflict zones,” says Anat Wolf, Head of the International Art Therapy Program at Ono.

She emphasizes that art therapy provides a unique outlet, particularly for children and individuals who struggle to articulate their experiences verbally. The need for this kind of therapy has only intensified in recent years. Since the Israel-Hamas war began, the demand for trauma-informed care has skyrocketed. Ono’s faculty stepped up to the challenge, launching the Safe Studios program for displaced families, providing therapeutic spaces where creativity offered solace in the chaos. “These spaces rose spontaneously,” Wolf recalls. “They filled an urgent gap before formal support systems were in place.”

WHAT SETS Ono International School’s program apart isn’t just its responsiveness to crisis but its depth and structure. The program is the oldest of its kind in Israel and still maintains close academic ties with its American counterpart, Lesley University in Boston. This foundational partnership has shaped a curriculum that merges rigorous theory with intensive practice.

The faculty’s credentials reinforce this ethos. All lecturers are experienced, practicing art therapists who bring real-world insights into the classroom. The result is a highly personalized learning environment, featuring small class sizes and close mentorship, designed to foster both professional and personal growth.

For new immigrants to Israel, the program offers more than an education. It offers community. The international track is explicitly tailored to olim, blending academic rigor with the support needed to navigate a new country. “We’re not just teaching students to become therapists,” Wolf says. “We’re helping them build meaningful lives here.”

The curriculum is built around four foundational pillars: theory and methodology of art therapy; core psychological principles; hands-on exploration of artistic materials; and structured fieldwork. From their first year, students are placed in clinical or educational settings, where they learn under supervision how to assess needs, craft treatment plans, and reflect on their role in the therapeutic dynamic.

This real-world experience is invaluable. “Students internalize professional standards and ethical practices from day one,” says Wolf. “They learn to analyze, document, and communicate their work, preparing them for a wide range of therapeutic settings.”

Indeed, the professional landscape for art therapists is broad and expanding. Whether in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, or private practice, the demand for therapists continues to grow. Currently, approximately 9,000 art therapists are officially registered in Israel; however, this number is insufficient to meet the demand. “There’s a shortage of art therapists in Israel and globally,” Wolf notes. “It’s a field where digital tools can’t replace human connection.”

This shortage isn’t just a logistical problem; it’s a missed opportunity, especially in times of societal upheaval. Art therapy provides a pathway to healing that verbal expression often cannot access. “Engaging with art can reduce anxiety and build confidence,” Wolf says. “It helps people navigate crisis and trauma, fostering a sense of resilience and renewal.”

That’s why Ono International School’s program doesn’t just focus on individual healing. It also embraces community transformation. Group therapy sessions, array of artistic materials in well-equipped studios. This isn’t just academic; it’s tactile, immersive learning.”

The faculty’s credentials reinforce this ethos. All lecturers are experienced, practicing art therapists who bring real-world insights into the classroom. The result is a highly personalized learning environment, featuring small class sizes and close mentorship, designed to foster both professional and personal growth.

For new immigrants to Israel, the program offers more than an education. It offers community. The international track is explicitly tailored to olim, blending academic rigor with the support needed to navigate a new country. “We’re not just teaching students to become therapists,” Wolf says. “We’re helping them build meaningful lives here.”

The curriculum is built around four foundational pillars: theory and methodology of art therapy; core psychological principles; hands-on exploration of artistic materials; and structured fieldwork. From their first year, students are placed in clinical or educational settings, where they learn under supervision how to assess needs, craft treatment plans, and reflect on their role in the therapeutic dynamic.

This real-world experience is invaluable. “Students inter- nalize professional standards and ethical practices from day one,” says Wolf. “They learn to analyze, document, and communicate their work, preparing them for a wide range of therapeutic settings.”

Art therapy provides a pathway to healing that verbal expression often cannot access. “Engaging with art can reduce anxiety and build confidence,” Wolf says. “It helps people navigate crisis and trauma, fostering a sense of resilience and renewal.”

That’s why Ono International School’s program doesn’t just focus on individual healing. It also embraces community transformation. Group therapy sessions, collective projects, and cross-cultural dialogue are all part of the training. Wolf believes that “art therapy can serve as a bridge for understanding. It’s a tool for peacebuilding, not just treatment.”

As the program evolves, it adapts to meet the urgent needs of Israeli society. During the current war, the curriculum was updated to include advanced training in trauma care, grief processing, and emergency intervention. “Our program is dynamic,” Wolf says. “It’s informed by the latest research and clinical developments, and it evolves to match the needs of the field.”

There is a deliberate effort to ensure that graduates are ready to integrate into Israel’s multifaceted mental health system. Alumni go on to work in hospitals, early intervention centers, rehabilitation programs, schools, hospices, and even corporate wellness programs. “The versatility of this training is part of its strength,” says Wolf.

YET, AT its core, the power of art therapy lies in its simplicity. It’s about creating space for expression, healing, and connection. Creating art becomes a way to unlock what might otherwise remain buried. “Art allows people to express what words can’t,” Wolf reflects. “It’s a deeply human process that speaks to our need to be seen, to be understood.”

That ethos resonates throughout the Ono International School program. Even the most clinical aspects of the training are anchored in empathy. Students learn not only how to assess and diagnose but also how to be present, to witness, and to support. “The therapist is not just a clinician,” Wolf says. “The therapist is a guide and a companion on a journey through pain, memory, and healing.”

“Each one will leave here with the skills and sensitivity to make a real impact.” After nearly three decades in the field, Wolf remains passionate about the work. “Every morning, I wake up grateful to have chosen a profession that continues to inspire and fulfill me,” she says. And through the program she leads, that sense of purpose is passed on, one brush stroke, one page, one therapist at a time.