Courses and Training
The Group places a great importance on increasing awareness about the value of the therapeutic art approach. Therefore, NIGAT ensures links with workshops, training and information courses, seminars and collaborates on research projects. NIGAT has historically played a key role in developing the Art Therapy / Art Psychotherapy profession in Northern Ireland.
As a result there are currently a number of options for further training in Art Therapy running in Northern Ireland. However, it is important to note the difference between Professional Training and the non-qualifying courses available:
Professional Training in Art Therapy/ Art Psychotherapy
MSc Art Psychotherapy
New developments have resulted in the Centre for Psychotherapy offering a new MSc Art Psychotherapy. This course has evolved out of the MSc originally facilitated by Queen's University Belfast. QUB now acts as a supporting body. The Centre for Psychotherapy welcomes enquiries about the MSc Art Psychotherapy.
This is a professionally-oriented higher degree aimed at graduates working in educational, health, social care, arts and related areas. The programme is offered as a 3 year part-time modular degree (180 M points). The programme is designed to help develop ethical practice as students engage in their own image-making, supervised clinical practice and professional and personal development.
Particular emphasis is placed on the following themes:
- Art Therapy Studies and Personal Development
- Development of Clinical Practice
- Reflective Practice and Research
For full details of this course click to download 
PDF 56kb
For further details of the history and background of the MSc course click to download PDF 20kb
MSc Art Therapy
This HPC approved course has now fully transformed into the MSc Art Psychotherapy and is now based in the Centre For Psychotherapy, Knockbracken. The first group of students of this new course began the academic year on 5th February 2008.
Non-Qualifying Courses about Art Therapy/ Art Psychotherapy
In Northern Ireland, non-qualifying training about Art Therapy / Art Psychotherapy is currently offered at various levels:
- talks and workshops
- short courses (weekends & over a series of weeks)
- Summer School
- Masters Level module in "Art as Therapy", at QUB (20 M level points) (not currently running).
Please note that non-qualifying courses DO NOT qualify persons to practice as an "Art Therapist" or "Art Psychotherapist" or use these legally protected titles.
For further details of Introductory Courses to Art Therapy running in Northern Ireland check the News & Events page
The NIGAT Summer School also offers an excellent introductory and experiential learning opportunity about Art Therapy and Art as Therapy. The NIGAT Summer School will neither qualify persons as art therapists, nor it is to be seen as personal therapy, rather it will provide an introduction and/or extend ideas and skills.
NIGAT Day Meetings also provide another source of introduction to Art as Therapy and Art Therapy.
For further details of short courses running elsewhere in the UK visit BAAT website or for details of other courses running in Ireland in visit Irish Association of Creative Therapists.
Training for organisations seeking to use art in their work
Requests for training are welcomed from individual practitioners and organisations seeking training for staff using art in their work.
Such training / courses / workshops can be designed to meet specific individual and/or organisational needs. Requests and enquiries about such training and/or clinical supervision can be made by email
Please note: Although NIGAT receives requests for placements and work experience, unfortunately NIGAT regrets that it cannot arrange any such work of either kind.
Research into Art Therapy/ Art Psychotherapy
NIGAT is committed to promoting research into Art Therapy / Art Psychotherapy. This is a key aspect of the Art Therapy / Art Psychotherapy profession that is developing in Northern Ireland.
The NIGAT Committee also has connections to Art Therapy Practice Research Network (ATPRN). The ATPRN is a UK wide group of practising Art Therapists who collaborate on practice-led research and evaluation ventures. The ATPRN has the research resources of Goldsmiths College, University of London, as its Central Academical Institution (CAI), but the direction of the research is led by the practitioner membership.
As a result of NIGAT’s connections to this group, members are able to keep up to date with developments in current research projects. To check details of current recent projects taking place in Northern Ireland & UK visit Latest News.
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