The art therapist’s work takes place in many settings and can often be a challenging calling for particular skill and sensitivity. It follows that those who wish to pursue a career in Art Therapy should be mature and flexible people.

The Art Therapy training course combines theoretical and experiential work towards a Masters degree. Applicants usually already have a degree in art or other relevant degree. Those with an undergraduate degree or experience of working in health, education or social care are also considered.

Art Therapy is a diverse profession and it is important to ensure that those who practice it are maintaining the standards upheld by the BAAT (British Association of Art Therapists) professional body and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Membership of these professional bodies demands enshrined standards of educational and clinical practice such as Continuous Professional Development (CPD), and ethics to ensure public protection. To practice as an Art Therapist, practitioners must also carry full public liability insurance.

The British Association of Art Therapists is the professional organisation for all registered Art Therapists and Art Psychotherapist in the United Kingdom. It has strict ethical guidelines and Professional Practice Code of Ethics. BAAT comprises of twenty regional groups and a European and International section represented by Inscape (editorial). The BAAT council maintains a comprehensive directory of qualified Art Therapists and Psychotherapist.

The titles of Art Therapist and Art Psychotherapist are legally protected by the HCPC who is the overall governing body for registration and safeguarding for Art Therapists and Art Psychotherapists.

For more information on training and Art Therapy contact: http://www.baat.org and HCPC contact: http://www.hcpc-uk.org.uk.