Art Therapist
Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.
Art therapists use visual art to assess and treat clients of all ages. The art process can expand people’s ability to express themselves, understand their experiences, and problem solve. Professional art therapists who have completed graduate level training may also conduct or participate in research. They provide therapy to individuals and groups of all ages. They may also educate, collaborate with, and be consultants for other mental health professionals. (OCCinfo by alis)
Occupational profile
Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) - Canadian occupational descriptions
- O*NET Online - U.S. resource for occupational descriptions and information
- OCCinfo by alis - Alberta-based occupational information
- Sokanu: Art Therapist - career information and videos
- What is Art Therapy? - Canadian Association of Art Therapy (CATA)
- Art Therapy in Action - videos from the American Art Therapy Association
- Interview with Phuong Nguyen: The Power of Art Therapy - from ArtsHelp
- The Healing Path: Interview with Linda Manitowabi - from CATA
Education
The University of Manitoba does not offer specialized training in Art Therapy, but does offer initial training in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, and Fine Arts. Please view the links below for more information about training programs in North America.
In Canada, an undergraduate degree in fine arts, psychology, social work or counselling is required before entering one of the art therapy programs. If the undergraduate degree is in another area, a prior learning assessment can be recognized to determine appropriate equivalency. It is recommended to have art and psychology courses. (Canadian Art Therapy Association).
U of M Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.
Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit U of M's faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.
- Faculty of Social Work
- Department of Psychology - Faculty of Arts
- School of Art
- Master of Education: Counselling Psychology Specialization - Faculty of Education
Exploring Other Education Options
Labour market information
Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts.
Resources
- Trend Analysis: Job Market Report (Winnipeg Region) - Gov. of Canada Job Bank
- Occupational Outlook Handbook - Job outlook for the U.S.
- OpportuNext - salary range and job growth prospects - Manitoba
Professional Associations
Professional associations may organize events and provide directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities may also be available: engage, learn and network!
- Canadian Art Therapy Association
- American Art Therapy Association
- Creative Manitoba
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring.
Other links
These external resources may provide you with additional information about the occupation and opportunities to build experience:
- Winnipeg Holistic Expressive Arts Therapy Institute (WHEAT)
- Envisage: The Canadian Art Therapy Association Online Magazine
- Canadian Journal of Art Therapy
- Article: The Art of Art Therapy - Uniter
- Article: Art Therapy, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Veterans - American Art Therapy Association
- “Art has saved my life.” Nigel Bart on CTV Community Connection - Art Beat Studio