Table of Contents
What does an art therapy assistant do?
You’ll typically plan activity programmes based on patients needs, abilities and preferences. This might include, for example, art, music, cookery or photography. You will help groups and individuals to take part in the activities. Interviewing patients and collecting their medical histories to verify patient information. Advising patients on equipment that simplifies daily tasks. Educating family members on patient care and sharing how they can assist in the healing process. Organising and ordering supplies.
Who is art therapy best for?
Art therapy is an effective treatment for persons experiencing developmental, medical, educational, social or psychological impairment. A key goal in art therapy is to improve or restore the client’s functioning and his/her sense of personal well being. Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy. The forms of art used in Art Therapy are usually visual arts including painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture. Other creative arts, such as music and creative writing, are also used for therapeutic purposes but are usually considered to be their own unique modalities. To be an art therapist, you must be creative and have a passion for helping others. You also need excellent listening and communication skills, patience, and an interest in human behavior. Prepare for an art therapy career by getting a feel for the work. How to become an art therapist. You need to do an approved full or part time Masters degree in art therapy or art psychotherapy and then register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Art Therapy is a 2 years Masters (MA) or Post Graduate (PgD) qualification which has up until now, only been available internationally. South Africa has now finally begun our own legitimate Art Therapy training! However, there is no quick fix in becoming an Art Therapist.
How do I start a career in art therapy?
Art therapists must have a master’s degree in art therapy or counseling or a related field with an emphasis in art therapy and must complete the required core curriculum as outlined in the American Art Therapy Association’s (AATA) education standards. Art therapy integrates psychotherapy and some form of visual arts as a specific, stand-alone form of therapy, but it is also used in combination with other types of therapy. Income Sources for Self-Employed Art Therapists teaching – you can teach at schools, programs, and online with courses; you may also do public speaking as a part of your teaching work) publish books – as an art therapist, you can write and publish a book. Selling books can become a part of your passive income as well. The average Art Therapist salary in California is $50,109 as of January 26, 2023, but the range typically falls between $44,601 and $57,108.
What qualifications do I need to be an art therapist?
You should have a degree in art or creative therapies to do a postgraduate course. You may be able to apply if you’ve got a degree in a related subject, for example psychology, nursing or social work. While some background knowledge of the artistic process is not typically necessary, this form of therapy is recommended for individuals at all creative levels, from novice to expert. Being successful in treatment doesn’t take any previous experience with art, or even any natural artistic ability. And the time it takes to become an art therapist is substantial. You would need around 4 years of going through undergrad, 2 years in graduate, and at least 1-2 years for certification or license (can take more time, depending on the individual and the situation). Art Therapy Is Not for Everyone While high levels of creativity or artistic ability aren’t necessary for art therapy to be successful,10 many adults who believe they are not creative or artistic might be resistant or skeptical of the process. Another way that art therapy is utilized is art psychotherapy. Non-clinical art therapy work is the type of work we do outside the “treatment centers,” the unnamed work, the creative work, the work done in studios, communities, and sometimes in private practices. It is the more flexible, creative type of service that art therapists can provide.
What is the difference between art therapy and therapeutic art?
Perhaps one of the most common differences between the two is the overall goal, which is self expression. In other words, the main goal involving art therapy is to either communicate or express something, while the main goal involving therapeutic art-making is to either experiment or learn something. Art therapy, sometimes called creative arts therapy or expressive arts therapy, encourages people to express and understand emotions through artistic expression and through the creative process. It encourages the development of healthy coping strategies. Therapy can facilitate insight, empathy, and acceptance of other’s life challenges. It is capable of promoting problem-solving skills. Art therapy is capable of exploring, managing, and providing insight into traumatic experiences. The Diploma of Arts Therapy prepares graduates with the skills to attend to the needs of clients in a variety of arts-based settings, ranging from mental health organisations, alcohol and drug centres, and other health centre agencies. Legal requirements Applicants for art therapy training should normally be graduates in Art and Design but qualified teachers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals with a commitment to the practice of the visual arts are also considered. Personal skills required of a Therapy Assistant Maturity and responsibility. Able to relate well to people of all ages who may be frail or sick or have a disability or developmental delay. Caring, understanding, patient and calm.
What skills do you need to be a therapy assistant?
Personal skills required of a Therapy Assistant Maturity and responsibility. Able to relate well to people of all ages who may be frail or sick or have a disability or developmental delay. Caring, understanding, patient and calm. A Therapy Assistant provides support to therapists before, during and after therapy sessions. Responsibilities include assisting in department administration and operations, and engaging in continuing education to further skills and knowledge in speech, occupational and physiotherapy. Therapy assistant means an individual formally trained or employed as a para-professional working in the field of rehabilitation, supervised by an “Occupational Therapist”, “Physical Therapist”, “Speech-Language Pathologist” or a “Recreation Therapist”. There are no set requirements but you’ll usually need good literacy and numeracy skills, some employers may ask for GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. You may also need a qualification in healthcare or health and social care.