Art therapist: Job description

Art therapy is particularly useful for people who may struggle to communicate verbally or to express their feelings. People who have been referred to an art therapist do not need to have experience, or be good at art - it is simply used as a medium for confronting difficult emotions and to help with awareness and self-development.

An art therapist works with people of all ages and backgrounds in a variety of settings including the NHS and private healthcare, special and mainstream education, drug and alcohol services, social services, prisons, stroke and head injury units, and palliative care and hospices. The art therapist must ensure they provide a safe and secure environment for their clients and will usually have distinct ways of working with clients in each environment.

Therapy may be carried out in group or one-to-one settings and art therapists may work closely with other healthcare professionals.

A registered art therapist or art psychotherapist (these titles can be interchangeable), will have undertaken approved training at postgraduate level, and be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)  (a legal requirement in order to practise in the UK).

Typical work activities

The activities carried out by an art therapist vary depending on their client and the environment they’re working in but can include:

• taking referred patients, including self-referrals and referrals from other professionals such as teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists and psychiatrists;
• making referrals to other professionals;
• assessing the needs of the client by listening and providing guidance;
• working creatively with various client groups in a therapeutic setting;
• working in a group or one-to-one setting, often as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals;
• enabling clients to explore their art work and the process of its production;
• assessing and understanding the feelings or temperament of others;
• constructively challenging the behaviour and attitude of clients;
• planning, designing and facilitating a schedule of activities with individuals and groups;
• attending meetings and case conferences to share ideas, expertise and good practice;
• keeping up to date with administration: making phone calls; writing reports and case notes; and drafting letters to other professionals;
• maintaining art therapy space and materials;
• receiving support and discussing ideas in individual supervision;
• exploring opportunities for work where it may not currently exist;
• presenting a case to other professionals on reasons for employing an art therapist;
• keeping up to date with continuing professional development (CPD) by attending seminars, lectures, and workshops.