Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy used to help service users to explore a range of issues such as emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties, learning or physical disabilities.
For example, as an art therapist, you could be working with people who have speech and language difficulties or with individuals that are recovering from an addiction. People of all ages, regardless of artistic experience, use art therapy as a form of communication and expression.
- Meet patients to arrange activities and sessions
- Take care of the workshop and equipment
- Organise and carry out one-on-one and group workshops
- Encourage groups to relate to each other through their art
- Contact professionals, such as working in medicine, healthcare, education, social services and prisons
- Attend seminars, workshops and conferences to talk through treatment methods and share ideas and experience
- Encourage people to explore their art and think about what it means to them
- Refer individuals to other health professionals
Art therapists can help people of all ages and in a range of settings such as:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Veterans’ clinics
- Private practice
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Community clinics
- Crisis centres
- Forensic facilities and probation services