Art Therapist: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Art Therapist
Practice Interviews Online - Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Art Therapist mock interview, under 10 minutes
Practice Now »What is a Art Therapist?
As an Art Therapist in the UK, you'll use art and creative activities to help people work through emotional and psychological issues. Your goal is to improve the well-being of clients by encouraging self-expression and exploration of feelings through various artistic mediums.
Skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with clients and colleagues
- Creativity and artistic ability to facilitate therapeutic art sessions
- Knowledge of psychology and mental health to understand clients' needs and provide appropriate support
- Empathy and compassion to connect with clients and provide a safe and supportive environment
- Organizational skills to manage client records and session plans
- Flexibility and adaptability to adjust to clients' changing needs and preferences
- Patience and resilience to handle challenging situations and support clients through difficult emotions
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness to work with clients from diverse backgrounds
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Continuous learning and professional development to stay up-to-date with best practices and new techniques in art therapy
Qualifications & Education
- No specific academic qualifications required
- Vocational qualifications available
- Degrees available
- Postgraduate courses available
- Entry based on portfolio work
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you need maths to be an art therapist in the UK as it is a requirement for entry qualifications.
No, an art therapist does not necessarily have to be good at art, but some knowledge of an artist's tools can be helpful. The focus is on using art as a therapeutic tool, rather than creating a masterpiece.
To become an art therapist in the UK, you must complete a Masters level training course approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC maintains the public register of qualified art therapists / art psychotherapists.
To be an art therapist in the UK, you need to be creative, have a passion for helping others, excellent listening and communication skills, patience, and an interest in human behavior.
Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Art Therapist mock interview, under 10 minutes
Practice Now