What Do You Need to Become an Art Therapist
Art therapist/art psychotherapist
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses fine art media as its main mode of expression and communication. Art therapists/fine art psychotherapists use art as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing.
Working life
Y'all'll use art to help people deal with complex and confusing emotional bug. There may be things which clients cannot say in words. This could be because the emotions are too distressing or because the customer has difficulties with communication.
Y'all'll create a secure environment which helps people build their self awareness and cocky confidence.
Yous'll work with people of all ages - children, immature people adults and the elderly. Your clients may have a range of difficulties such every bit emotional, behavioural or mental health problems, learning disabilities, life-limiting conditions, neurological conditions or physical illnesses. They also work in a variety of settings such as:
- NHS
- social services
- education (chief, secondary, further and special educational activity)
- prisons
- individual practice.
You'll work one-to-ane or in groups, depending on the needs of the customer. In a group, you lot'll encourage members to relate to each other through their art and help the group piece of work through the images and their meanings.
You may work with other professionals including medical and health care staff, teachers or prison and probation staff.
How to become an art therapist
You lotneed to practise an canonical total or function time Masters degree in fine art therapy or art psychotherapy then register with the Health and Care Professions Quango (HCPC).
Entry requirements
You'll usually need a first degree in art or a relevant subject. You lot may be accustomed onto a course without an art degree, if you have a strong art background. Those accepted onto the courses are usually mature, flexible people who take had experience of working in mental wellness, education, special needs or social services before applying. You will demand to evidence a portfolio of your art work. They encompass the psychology of image making, therapeutic relationships, the importance of boundaries and psychological and psychotherapeutic practice.
Caste apprenticeship
A level 7 apprenticeship for arts therapists, including fine art therapists/art psychotherapists, dramatherapists and music therapists is bachelor simply opportunities are currently limited. You'll demand to utilize for an apprentice position with a health care provider. Yous can search for vacancies on the NHS Jobs website and Find an Apprenticeship website.
Skills and personal qualities needed
You'll need to exist:
- creative, flexible and resourceful
- resilient in dealing with other people's strong emotions
- sensitive and mature
- artistic with excellent communication skills
- able to piece of work with people from all walks of life
- able to reverberate on your own emotions
Where the role can atomic number 82
You could specialise in a particular type of client such as children, the elderly or offenders. Or you could become a specialist in a item issue such as dementia, mental health or palliative care. You could decide to get self-employed and build up a private practise. Yous could do this alongside employed work.
Y'all could go a senior or consultant fine art therapist, managing the work of a team of therapists. Or y'all could become the head of an arts therapy department, coordinating the work of therapists from other disciplines such as music or dramatherapists. You besides train other art therapists. Some art therapists complete further preparation and specialise in areas such as working with families or people with a diagnosis of personality disorders. There are besides opportunities for further training in psychotherapy or in show-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Yous can join the British Clan of Art Therapists (BAAT) where you lot can go along your skills and knowledge up to date with annual CPD (continuing professional development). BAAT runs courses, conferences and seminars where therapists can exchange ideas and update their skills.
Pay and benefits
Most art therapists in the NHS work office-time hours and posts typically start at ring 6 of the Agenda for Change pay rates. You lot'll also have access to our generous alimony scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual exit plus bank holidays.
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Other roles that may interest you
- Creative therapy back up roles
- Dramatherapist
- Music therapist
- Arts manager/arts co-ordinator
Source: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/art-therapistart-psychotherapist
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