MSc Art Psychotherapy

The creation of art in the presence of a trained art psychotherapist can have a profoundly positive effect for people experiencing difficulties in their lives. Art therapy is not a recreational activity (although the sessions can be enjoyable) but a form of psychotherapy that helps people address confusing and distressing issues. Art psychotherapists work with people to access their own image-making abilities. You could work with people of any age, from very small children through to older adults, helping them to use art media to express themselves and communicate. You may work with groups or individuals. You and the person you are working with will jointly explore the meaning of the process and imageart object in the light of personal experiences andor interpersonal relationships that may sometimes be distressing or troubling. The aim is to facilitate the intra-personal and interpersonal communication of experiences that may be difficult to put into words. The art psychotherapist’s task is to support processes of emotional integration by providing a safe, reliable and containing therapeutic environment within which the person can create and use art making to develop insight and promote change.

UK honours degree or equivalent in the area of the visual arts supported by a portfolio of artwork in a variety of media created over a period of time. Degrees in subjects such as psychology, social work, nursing, education and other relevant subjects may be considered if supported by a substantial portfolio of artwork. Applicants will be contacted with further information regarding submission of an online portfolio, after submitting their application.Normally a minimum of one year’s full-time (or part-time equivalent, typically 1000 hours) of relevant work experience in for example a caring, supportive or educational role within a professional service or organization. Relevant roles include nursing assistant, project worker, arts instructor, along with experience in care work in a community setting, art teaching, or facilitating art workshops. Some experience of personal art psychotherapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy, or experiential workshops in creative therapies is desirable.