About Art Therapy
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy involves the use of art materials as a means of self-expression, communication and relief of stress.
Through play and exploration is a supportive environment provided by an Art Therapist, a spontaneous response is awakened and encouraged. The art work reflects both conscious and unconscious feeling, engaging the person in an extension or re-appraisal of life.
In brief, the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) defines Art Therapy and Art Psychotherapy as:
“a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication.”
“a form of therapy in which the making of visual images (paintings, drawings, models, etc.) in the presence of a qualified Art Therapist contributes towards externalisation of thoughts and feelings which may otherwise remain unexpressed." Waller and Gilroy
For more detailed information about Art Therapy in the UK visit the BAAT website
Who can benefit from Art Therapy or Art as Therapy?
Children, adults and older people who are:
- Under stress
- Mentally or physically ill or disabled
- Socially isolated
- Eager to experience the joy of creativity
The Art Therapist works usually with small groups or individuals, in a quiet environment, within a wide range of settings, usually on a weekly basis.
Art Therapy as a Profession
Art Therapy / Art Psychotherapy is one of the Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and as such the profession is regulated by the Health Professions Council (HPC). By definition, Art Therapists/ Art Psychotherapists are professionals who have undertaken appropriate postgraduate training and have been approved for registration by the HPC.
The Health Professions Council (HPC) prepares and publishes a Register, approves the training courses for the profession and carries out disciplinary functions. The HPC, an independent UK-wide regulatory body, stipulates that practitioners of Art Therapy / Art Psychotherapy must be HPC Registered under the legally protected title of Art Therapist or Art Psychotherapist. To find out more about the registration and legislation regarding the profession visit Health Professions Council website.
For further information relevant to Art Therapists / Art Psychotherapists and other AHPs in Northern Ireland visit the Allied Health Professions website, or to review the Allied Health Professional Bulletins
Art Therapy in Northern Ireland
Art Therapists / Art Psychotherapists in Northern Ireland have worked and currently work in various contexts including:
- Offenders and remand prisoners (e.g. HM Prisons. Prison Hospital. Probation Board NI)
- Elderly care (e.g. Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast)
- People affected by psychiatric illness (e.g. Centre for Psychotherapy, Belfast)
- People affected by trauma (e.g. Tara Centre, Omagh)
- Children (e.g. Musgrave Park Hospital; "Make Your Mark" North West NI; Royal Hospital, Belfast)
- Cancer care services (e.g. Marie Curie Centre Beaconfield, Belfast; Ulster Cancer Foundation; Belfast; NI Cancer Fund for Children; Gerard Lynch Centre, Belvoir Park Hospital, Belfast)
- Sessional art therapy in diverse organisational contexts
- In the community
- In private practice.
How to find an Art Therapist
To find a qualified Art Therapist in Northern Ireland, currently working in private practice, email NIGAT requesting a referral for professional Art Therapy services. NIGAT currently co-ordinates referrals in conjunction with BAAT Regional Group 20 (Northern Ireland).
Or alternatively for clinical referrals contact the Centre for Psychotherapy, at Shimna House, Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Saintfield Road, Belfast BT8 8BH, or call 028 9056 5350.
Or to find a qualified Art Therapist in the Republic of Ireland contact the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists
How to Confirm an Art Therapist is HPC registered
Persons and organisations wishing to avail of an art therapy service or employ an Art Therapist for any reason (i.e., therapy, supervision, training etc) should first ensure that the person is currently HPC Registered.
To confirm a person's HPC Registration, please click here HPC Online Register and follow the outlined search procedure.
Art Therapy Jobs & Placements
NIGAT does receive requests for placements and work experience from people. Unfortunately NIGAT regrets that it cannot arrange any such work of either kind due to various factors:
- the confidential & sensitive nature of art therapy sessions
- the time taken for police/security clearance to engage in such work
- NIGAT's work developing approved placements for students on the MSc Art Psychotherapy course.
Details of any local Art Therapy / Art Psychotherapy posts may listed on the Latest News page, but normally such posts would be advertised in the local press. Other useful websites to search for employment UK-wide or in the Republic are BAAT and IACAT.
Click to return to the top of the page ▲