Art Therapist

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

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.

You'll usually need:

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

You may be able to do an arts therapist degree apprenticeship.

You'll usually need a qualification or experience in art, drama or music to apply.

To get a job as an art therapist, you'll need paid or volunteering experience with:

• community arts projects
• youth work
• people with disabilities or mental health issues

You'll need:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• 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

You might work with clients who have:

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

You'll help clients:

• 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

You could work in a prison, in an NHS or private hospital or at a school.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

With experience, you could become self employed and create your own business.