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Art therapist
Art psychotherapist
Art therapists help people express difficult thoughts and feelings through creative activities.
Average salary (a year)
£35000
Starter
£50000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 39.0 hours
variable
Work Hours
freelance / self-employed
managing your own hours
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You can get into this job through a university course or 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.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
finance for postgraduate courses|https://www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
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.
Entry requirements
To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:
- entry requirements vary
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Volunteering
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
community arts projects, youth work, people with disabilities or mental health issues
You can find volunteering opportunities through:the NHS, The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Do IT
More Information
Registrations
you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Career Tips
You could try an introduction 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 explore other careers in the psychological professions.
Skills and 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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Related Restrictions
pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
Day to day tasks
You might 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
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
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
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.
With experience, you could become self employed and create your own business.
You could also:become a senior art therapist, manage a team of therapists, manage an arts therapy unit, move into teaching
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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