Being an art therapist is an opportunity to use creative expression and visualisation to make positive changes in people’s lives. If you are considering becoming an art therapist, it is important to understand what Art Therapy entails and what it takes to become a supportive therapist.
Personality traits
An art therapist is a guide and a mentor who is committed to helping others along their healing journey. They need to have a keen interest in human behaviour and people in general, as well as well-developed creativity and mental health. They must be patient, sympathetic, intuitive, proactive and possess attentive and active listening skills, as well as a dedication to their profession. They must understand that every person has different preferences and life experiences and be willing to adapt their therapy to suit everyone’s needs.
Education and certification
Art therapists can come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Most Australian art therapists, however, have studied a bachelor’s degree in: art, counselling, psychology, nursing, social science or a related field at university, followed by a postgraduate qualification in Art Therapy. As part of this postgraduate study aspiring art therapists are required to undertake around 750 hours of supervised field experience on a clinical placement. While these are the requirements for most art therapists, different Australian states and territories have slightly different requirements for education, certification and registration.
Want to know more about Art Therapy?
If you are considering a career as an art therapist, it’s important to know what the profession entails. If you want to know more about this unique therapy, then feel free to contact our team of gifted art therapists. You can experience the benefits of Art Therapy for yourself and learn what it takes to illuminate and process emotions through various mediums of art and artistic expression. At Vlinder Expressive Arts Therapy, our therapists encourage you to look at things in a new way and through it all, are committed to helping others let go of inhibitions and enjoy the process of enlightenment and understanding. With the right mindset and training you too can become a leading creative arts therapist in the mental health field for people struggling with obstacles or disorders in their lives.
