Art Psychotherapy

You do not need to be "good at Art"

What is an Art psychotherapist

Art psychotherapists have evolved distinct ways of working according to their specialism. They work in a clinical context where aspects of health, ill health, difficulties and impairments are a great part of what the client brings to the art therapy sessions. In this context and as registered health professionals, art therapists/art psychotherapists are expected to exercise clinical judgement as a means of practicing safely and effectively

Art psychotherapists are clinicians who work in the field of mental health with individuals, groups and families in range of diverse settings. These settings include hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, forensic institutions, schools, veteran's clinics, private practice, crisis centres and senior communities.

What is Art psychotherapy

Art psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication, together with talking with an art therapist. As a form of psychological intervention, art therapy aims to reduce distress, improve emotional, social and mental health as well as;

Effectively support personal and relational treatment goals and aims to enable individuals to discover an outlet for often complex and confusing emotions that cannot always be expressed verbally, and to foster self- awareness and growth

Improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions
Foster self-esteem and self-awareness
Support physical illness difficulties

How can Art therapy help

Art therapy provides a way of communicating without the need for verbal expression, especially if you find it difficult to express your thoughts and feelings. With a fully qualified Art therapist/psychotherapist, can provide a safe and creative outlet for expression and self-discovery. Creative expression provides a way for individuals to explore identity and relationships and feelings associated with these.

Provides a safe and creative outlet for expression and self-discovery

Activities such as painting, drawing and modeling to name a few mediums, can help individuals visualise and process their feelings, reduce anxiety and build confidence

Engaging in creative activities can help support individuals in the positive building of themselves and positive emotional and social connections with others

Qualifying as an Art psychotherapist

The qualifying training in art psychotherapy is taken at Masters level. It includes theoretical seminars, experiential art therapy groups and workshops, supervision groups and written papers including a final dissertation. Clinical placements in diverse settings are undertaken for two years full-time, or part-time over three years. It is a requirement of the course that students undertake personal therapy each week for the duration of the course with a qualified psychotherapist/Art psychotherapist.

Art psychotherapists /art therapists, both titles are used interchangeably and protected by law in the United Kingdom (UK). Either title may be used by Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC), where all art therapists must register. In the UK, the profession is regulated and standards of education, conduct, performance and ethics that are laid down by the HCPC aim to protect members of the public who use the services of the registered professions. I continue to keep my HCPC Registration in the UK

Art therapists are required (in the UK) to receive regular clinical supervision

Art therapy is currently a self-regulated field in Canada and is currently working hard to achieve statutory regulation as a profession. However, to be able to be a Professional or Registered member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA), you must have graduated from an art therapy program that meets CATA's education standards (Master's programme)