Art therapist
Social care

Related videos on an art therapist

How to become an art therapist

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

You'll need to complete a postgraduate qualification approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. Full-time postgraduate courses normally take 2 years to complete. Part-time courses take 3 years. You should have a degree in art or creative therapies to do a postgraduate course. You may be able to apply if you've got a degree in a related subject, for example psychology, nursing or social work.

University (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do an arts therapist degree apprenticeship. You'll usually need a qualification and experience in art, drama or music to apply.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

• a degree in a relevant subject for a degree apprenticeship

Volunteering & Experience

You'll need paid or voluntary experience in community arts projects or youth work, or experience of working with people with disabilities or mental health issues. You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice. Do It also has more information on voluntary opportunities.

More info

Registration

• you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council

Career tips

You could try an introductory or foundation course in art therapy to give you an idea of what the work is like.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the British Association of Art Therapists for access to professional development and networking opportunities.

Further information

You'll find more details about this career, courses and training through the British Association of Art Therapists and Health Careers.

You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restriction & Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults

What you'll do

Day to day

On a day-to-day basis, you may work with clients who have:

• learning disabilities
• emotional, behaviour or mental health problems
• speech and language difficulties
• an injury or illness or are recovering from an addiction

You'll help clients to:

• gain greater awareness of their feelings
• express themselves
• work through their emotions
• come to terms with difficult times in their lives
• move on in a positive way

Working environment

You could work in a prison, in an NHS or private hospital or at a school. Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Career path & progression

With experience, you could become self-employed and build up your own practice. You could also become a senior arts therapist and manage a team of therapists, manage an arts therapy unit, or move into teaching.