Art Therapist

Art therapists use art to help improve people's emotional wellbeing, relieve stress and improve confidence. Their clients could include children or adults with disabilities, emotional or behavioural problems, speech and language difficulties, mental illness or those recovering from addictions.

They work closely with other health care professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and speech and language therapists.

A newly qualified art therapist can earn around £23,000 a year.

With experience, this can rise to around £42,000 a year.

To work as a state-registered art therapist you need to complete a postgraduate course accredited by the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT). See the BAAT website for details of approved courses.

In order to work as an art therapist in the NHS and Social Services, you must have a post-graduate Diploma in Art Therapy or Art Psychotherapy.

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.

All post-graduate courses in Art Therapy and Art Psychotherapy abide by standards set down by the Health Professions Council (HPC) and are approved by the council.

Check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.