Art Therapist

Art therapists help people express their thoughts and feelings through drawing, painting, photography or working with media such as clay or textiles.

An art therapist's clients might include people who have:

• emotional and behavioural difficulties
• mental health problems or learning difficulties
• stress-related problems
• drug and alcohol addictions
• speech and language difficulties.

Art therapists aim to help their clients find an outlet for often complex and confusing emotions. They may work with their clients on a one-to-one basis or in small groups.

They work closely with other professionals and, in some cases, with families or carers.

Art therapists working full time for the National Health Service (NHS) tend to work Monday to Friday, though many work part time. Therapists working in private practice work more variable hours, which can include evenings or weekends. A number of art therapists are self-employed or work for more than one employer.

Salaries in the NHS range from £24,831 to £45,596.

An art therapist should:

• be a skilled artist
• be able to develop trusting, therapeutic relationships with clients
• have the maturity to help clients with strong and painful thoughts and feelings
• have patience and be sensitive.

Although, numbers have increased in recent years, there are relatively few positions and there is competition for entry to courses and to jobs.

Employers include:

• the NHS, private health organisations and hospices
• services for children, adolescents and elderly people
• services for people with learning difficulties
• the prison service
• schools
• drug and alcohol services.

To become an art therapist, it is necessary to complete a Masters degree in art therapy approved by the HPC, and then to register with the Council.

Many universities also expect entrants to have at least one year's experience of working with people who have mental health difficulties, disabilities or related problems.

Qualified teachers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals with a commitment to the visual arts may be accepted for training.

Promotion within the NHS can be to specialist, head of services, head of profession and consultant posts. Experienced practitioners may go on to a training, supervisory or management role.

Further details