Exploring Art Therapy For Future Art Professionals

Creative courses can provide individuals with an outlet for feelings and the opportunity to express themselves. The arts have long been used to help people manage various emotional and mental health challenges. Art therapy is a discipline in which counsellors help clients express themselves through art making, including the visual arts, drama, image making or photography, and music, while addressing life challenges or mental health concerns. Below, we’ll discuss the potential benefits of creative expression as well as the work required to become a provider in the UK.

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What is art therapy?

Art therapy—also called creative arts therapy or expressive therapy—is a psychotherapeutic practice that employs various creativity-based techniques to help participants address mental health challenges. As part of the therapeutic process, a psychotherapist may utilize music, dance, painting, sculpture, and a variety of other mediums to help clients express themselves. While it’s frequently used to treat children, people of all ages may benefit from these techniques. 

Benefits of expressive arts therapy

Art therapy can also help people living with cognitive impairment, which is a common symptom of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Using art, a person can engage in self-reflection and develop a greater sense of self-awareness.Studies indicate that there is likely a connection between creativity and cognition. 

Creative modalities

Art therapy can take a variety of forms depending on the provider, the client, and the mental health challenges being addressed. Using basic art materials or digital technologies, an art therapist can have their client create artistic expressions of their thoughts and emotions.The following are some of the most common modalities utilized by mental health professionals today. 

• Painting
• Music
• Drama
• Dance

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Mental health concerns

There is evidence that art therapy may be effective for treating a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and psychotic disorders. For example, researchers in one study suggest that this modality can reduce anxiety by improving emotional regulation. The study’s participants, who were living with various anxiety disorders, engaged in clay modeling, drawing, and painting in sessions over the course of three months. According to the researchers, the treatment helped participants accept their emotions, leading to significant reductions in anxiety symptoms and improvements in quality of life. 

There is also evidence to suggest that mood disorders, such as depressive disorders and bipolar disorder, can be treated through creative arts counselling. In one study, for instance, individuals with depressive disorders showed improvements in symptoms after 20 sessions that involved weaving, collage, and other mediums. 

Where therapists work

There are numerous contexts and roles in which art mental health professionals can conduct counselling and provide mental health services. Many work in schools, helping young people navigate academic or mental health challenges. They may also work with students who have learning disabilities, providing another way to express thoughts and feelings. Art therapists work with adults too, helping clients address psychiatric disorders or navigate interpersonal conflicts. 

Art counsellors can be employed in a variety of locations, including in social care settings like dementia departments at hospitals, helping patients manage cognitive challenges through creativity. They can also provide palliative care for those living with severe or terminal illnesses. Or, they may work in clinics or have their own practices. 

The above are not the only places licensed providers may work. The following are some other potential settings in which you might find these professionals:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Correction facilities as a prison service
• Correctional institutions
• Social services agencies

How to become an art therapist: Education and courses

Many art-focused mental health professionals first receive trainings through programs in the arts, or receive an art degree before becoming mental health professionals. While a degree in painting, graphic design, or a similar artistic field may make it easier to get into an art counselling program, other forms of artistic experience can also help improve the odds of admission to these programs. You can typically find each pre-course requirement on a program’s admissions site. 

Required educational courses

Becoming an art therapist requires advanced education. Typically, aspiring art therapists in the UK are required to complete a full course load of classes through a master’s program that is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council. An MA art therapy programme can provide professional training and a broad understanding of the field, preparing them to embark on their career paths. These programmes help ensure that a therapist is proficient not just in creating art, but also in using art and artistic methods to enhance their client’s mental health.

Doctoral-level courses

Some professionals may be interested in taking classes for becoming researchers or working in administration or teaching. A doctorate in art therapy can provide a more specialized education on a relevant subject or the deeper research process. A PhD course in art therapy is available in the UK at Goldsmiths, which is part of the University of London. Aspiring art counsellors can also obtain creative arts PhDs, which can help provide practice and bolster their credentials.   

Entry Requirements, Portfolio, & Personal Statement

For prospective art therapists, getting into a graduate-level programme may be the first step to becoming an art therapist. Depending on the programme, you may be required to submit a personal statement that describes your personal qualities, provide relevant work experience, and provide information to the DBS. Additionally, if English is not your first language, you may need to provide evidence of English skills to your programme. The full details of any programme can be found by contacting the admissions office. 

Clinical Placements, Personal Therapy, & Reflective Practice

As a part of the educational requirements for becoming an art therapist, prospective therapists may need to complete a clinical placement period. The clinical placement provides valuable practical experience and personal development opportunities for future therapists. Through experiential learning, students can grow in their reflective practice while providing personal therapy under the guidance of a certified mental health professional.    

HCPC Standards, CPD, & Professional Identity 

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has connected standards linked to Continuous Professional Development (CPD). These HCPC standards are designed to help mental health professionals stay current on best practices and research. They can help therapists form a professional identity around ethical practices and may help build new skills. 

After obtaining a postgraduate degree or other academic qualifications, aspiring art counsellors must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). There may also be special certifications available for people who want to practice a subspecialty (e.g., providing care to the elderly). Art counsellors can then join organizations, such as the British Association of Art Therapists, in order to grow their professional network and find new opportunities. 

Career Settings, Private Practice, & Graduate Prospects

After graduation, there are a variety of potential future career prospects. Graduate prospects can include starting a private practice or working in a hospital or clinical setting. For flexible people, there may be additional career opportunities in places like prisons or mental health care centers. Each location and career choice may have benefits and drawbacks, and it may be helpful to ask detailed questions during the selection process. 

Research Skills, Data, & Evidence-Based Practice

Effective art therapists may ground their work in evidence-based practice that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data. This can require excellent research skills to determine what information is currently available and to implement best practices. It can be important to note that research can be ever-changing, especially in the field of mental health. This is why therapists and mental health professionals must engage in continuing education after their initial certification. 

How to find a course on art therapy

There are several ways to learn about art therapy that may involve fewer costs (e.g., tuition fees, other expenses). While these alone may not allow you to practice in this field, they can help you explore it and determine whether a postgraduate degree might be right for you. 

Introductory courses

For people who are interested in learning more about art therapy, these are classes that provide an overview of the field as well as the typical path of an art counsellor. While pursuing a degree, apprenticeship can be a way to dig deeper into content and best practices.

Continuing education courses

To stay up to date with techniques, regulations, and best practices, art therapists can participate in continuing education courses. Often, employers and professional associations will require providers to regularly obtain a specific number of continuing education credits. An example of one way to receive such credits is through the Continuing Professional Development course available through the British Association of Art Therapists. 

Connecting with a mental health professional online

Art therapy is just one of hundreds of approaches to mental health care available today. If you are living with symptoms of a mental health condition or facing other emotional or life challenges, you may benefit from art therapy or any number of more traditional counseling approaches. Those who are looking to speak to someone for support may be able to find art therapy treatment online or in person. Online therapy can be a convenient way for clients to be matched with an art therapist.

With an online counseling platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched and then meet with a professional counsellor virtually from anywhere you have internet. That means more flexible scheduling and no commuting required. Plus, BetterHelp partners with thousands of providers in the UK and allows you to switch providers at any time for no additional charge, which can make it easier to find a professional who feels like a good match for your needs. 

The efficacy of mental health care through online therapy

Research suggests that many forms of mental health counseling can often be effectively delivered through online therapists. For instance, in one study examining the effectiveness of online expressive psychotherapy for veterans, researchers suggest that art therapy may be “effectively delivered” through online platforms. The study focused on the ability of online counseling to bridge the gap that exists in the availability of mental health care.