Art Therapist Health Professionals
SaveWhat Does an Art Therapist Do?
Art therapists help patients overcome psychological and emotional difficulties through an artistic process which reflects emotions and feelings, focusing on patients who suffer a variety of problems such as mental, psychological, and behavioural disorders in order to facilitate self-understanding and awareness.
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Where Do I Start?
Cognitive Psychology
The human mental processes such as attention, memory, language use, perception, problem solving, creativity and thinking.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Art Therapist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialCognitive Psychology knowledge
The human mental processes such as attention, memory, language use, perception, problem solving, creativity and thinking.
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EssentialBehavioural Therapy knowledge
The characteristics and foundations of behavioural therapy, which focuses on changing patients` unwanted or negative behaviour. It involves studying the present behaviour and the means by which this can be …
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialHuman Psychological Development knowledge
The human psychological development across the lifespan, theories of personality development, cultural and environmental influences, human behavior, including developmental crises, disability, exceptional behavior, and addictive behavior.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialHealth Care Legislation knowledge
The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPsychological Theories knowledge
The historical development of counselling and psychological theories, as well as the perspectives, applications, and interviewing and counselling strategies.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSociology knowledge
The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialFine Arts knowledge
The theory and techniques required to compose, produce and perform works of visual arts as drawing, painting, sculpture and other art forms.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialPsychopathology knowledge
The criteria of psychiatric diagnoses, the use of the disease classification system, and the theories of psychopathology. The indicators of functional and organic disorders and the types of psychopharmacological medications.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTechniques Of Practice In Art Therapy knowledge
The direct experience of the therapeutic utility and psychological influence of art processes and materials, and the therapeutic effect of art making, leading to the establishment of therapeutic goals and …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTheory Of Art Therapy knowledge
The art therapy history and theory, events, and practitioners, and the development of art therapy as a distinct therapeutic practice, the overview of psychotherapy theories relevant to art therapy, theories …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAccept Own Accountability skill
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdhere To Organisational Guidelines skill
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdvise On Healthcare Users' Informed Consent skill
Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Context Specific Clinical Competences skill
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Health Sciences skill
Apply a broad range of bio-medical, psycho-social, organisational, educational, and societal aspects of health, disease, and healthcare to improve healthcare services and to improve quality of life.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Organisational Techniques skill
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCommunicate Effectively In Healthcare skill
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialComply With Legislation Related To Health Care skill
Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialComply With Quality Standards Related To Healthcare Practice skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialContribute To Continuity Of Health Care skill
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDeal With Emergency Care Situations skill
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop A Collaborative Therapeutic Relationship skill
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEducate On The Prevention Of Illness skill
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Safety Of Healthcare Users skill
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Clinical Guidelines skill
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInform Policy Makers On Health-Related Challenges skill
Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInteract With Healthcare Users skill
Communicate with clients and their carer's, with the patient's permission, to keep them informed about the clients' and patients' progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialListen Actively skill
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Healthcare User Data Confidentiality skill
Comply with and maintain the confidentiality of healthcare users` illness and treatment information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Healthcare Users' Data skill
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOrganise Relapse Prevention skill
Help the patient or client identify and anticipate high risk situations or external and internal triggers. Support them in developing better coping strategies and back-up plans in case of future …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPromote Inclusion skill
Promote inclusion in health care and social services and respect diversity of beliefs, culture, values and preferences, keeping in mind the importance of equality and diversity issues.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Health Education skill
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRefer Healthcare Users skill
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRespond To Changing Situations In Health Care skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse E-Health And Mobile Health Technologies skill
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork In A Multicultural Environment In Health Care skill
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork In Multidisciplinary Health Teams skill
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Art Therapy Interventions skill
Treat children, adolescents, adults, couples and families in inpatient, outpatient, partial treatment programs, and aftercare with art therapy interventions, to explore verbal, behavioral, and artistic communication, treatment planning, treatment approaches …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess Art Therapy Sessions skill
Evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy sessions to aid the planning of subsequent sessions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess The Patient's Therapeutic Needs skill
Observe and assess the patient`s behaviour, attitudes and emotions in order to understand if and how their therapeutic needs can be met with a specific kind of therapy, collecting and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialChallenge Patient Behaviour By Means Of Art skill
Constructively challenge the behaviour, attitude and mind-set of patients through art therapy sessions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop Educational Materials On Art Therapy skill
Develop educational materials to educate patients, families, staff, and public about art therapy.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnable Patients To Explore Artworks skill
Enable patients to discover and explore works of art and the artistic production process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEncourage Healthcare User's Self-Monitoring skill
Encourage the healthcare user to engage in self-monitoring by conducting situational and developmental analyses on him- or herself. Assist the healthcare user to develop a degree of self-critique and self-analysis …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFormulate A Case Conceptualisation Model For Therapy skill
Compose an individualised treatment plan in collaboration with the individual, striving to match his or her needs, situation, and treatment goals to maximise the probability of therapeutic gain; considering any …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMotivate Patiens skill
Encourage the patient's motivation to change and promote the belief that therapy can help, using techniques and treatment engagement procedures for this purpose.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Treatment Plan For Art Therapy skill
Make a treatment plan outlining possible art therapy strategies such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage with patients ranging from young children to the elderly, looking for forms of art …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSchedule Artistic Activities skill
Plan, design and facilitate a schedule of artistic activities for individuals and groups.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTake Referred Patients skill
Take referred patients, including self-referred ones and referrals from other professionals such as teachers, psychologists, therapists and psychiatrists.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTreat Medical Conditions With Art Therapy skill
Elicit clients' inherent capacity for art making to enhance their physical, mental and emotional well-being, treating people with developmental, medical, educational and social or psychological impairment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Art In A Therapeutic Setting skill
Work creatively with various groups of patients in a therapeutic setting.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 15 displayed)
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OptionalCognitive Behavioural Therapy knowledge
The solution-focused approach to treating mental disorders oriented towards solving problems by teaching new information-processing skills and coping mechanisms.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalVictimology knowledge
The relationships between victims and perpetrators, the frequency of victimization and the psychological effects it has on the victim.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalNeurophysiology knowledge
The medical specialty which is concerned with the study of the nervous system functionalities.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPedagogy knowledge
The discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPhilosophy knowledge
The different philosophical systems, their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices and their impact on human culture.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPsychoanalysis knowledge
The types of psychoanalytic theories and techniques that relate to the unconscious mental processes
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPsychosociology knowledge
The implications related to how an individual is behaving, depending on the group to which the individual belongs to and how this influences him/her.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalRelaxation Techniques knowledge
The various methods and techniques used to alleviate stress and bring peace and relaxation to the body and mind. This includes activities such as yoga, qigong or t`ai chi.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalSexology knowledge
The characteristics and evolution of human sexual activity, sexual orientation and the sexual relationship for various group types such as teenagers, elderly or disabled people.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalEmploy Foreign Languages For Health-Related Research skill
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEmploy Foreign Languages In Care skill
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Proper Appointment Administration skill
Set up a proper procedure to manage appointments, including policies related to cancellation and nonappearance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Psychoanalysis skill
Conduct psychoanalysis on patients, focusing on unconscious forces that can have a negative effect on their psychological well-being.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHandle Patient Trauma skill
Assess the competences, needs, and limitations of people affected by trauma, referring the patients to specialised trauma services where appropriate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPractice Gestalt Therapy skill
Use gestalt therapy techniques such as the empty chair technique and the exaggeration exercise in individual or group settings in the shape of creative exercises and experiments, aiming to make …
Course recommendations coming soon.