A need exists within the profession of art therapy to address issues of managed care, licensure, and provider reimbursement. While the profession struggles on both the state and national level with issues of livelihood and recognition, there are still philosophical questions within the field which remain unexplored. This article addresses a theme loosely defined as studio approaches to art therapy. The concept of art therapy within a studio space has received little formal attention in the literature. What exactly the studio approach to art therapy is remains largely undefined, although there are some identifiable characteristics such as: (1) space--the environment where the therapist, the space itself, and people who visit the space come together in a synergistic way; and (2) time--studio therapy involves little or no directives, more time than clinical forms of art therapy thus providing a more in-depth experience with the art process. Some difficulties with the studio approach are: (1) financial struggles including the difficulty in becoming a health care provider and receiving third party payments; (2) lack of understanding and acknowledgment with in the field of art therapy; and (3) recent revisions of AATA ethics documents relating to privacy and confidentiality. (JBJ)