How to Become an Art Therapist in the UK
Art therapists, also called art psychotherapists, use art-making alongside talking to help people explore feelings and experiences that are hard to put into words. You work with individuals or groups, including children in schools, adults with mental illness, people with learning disabilities, dementia or trauma, and patients in hospices and prisons. Sessions are planned, recorded and reviewed in clinical supervision.
Art therapist and art psychotherapist are protected titles in the UK. To use them you must complete an HCPC-approved Master's in art therapy or art psychotherapy and register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £30,000 - £35,000
- Mid-career salary
- £37,000 - £45,000
- Senior salary
- £48,000 - £60,000
- Work environment
- NHS, schools, hospices, private
- Time to entry
- 4 - 6 years (MA + HCPC)
- Degree required
- Regulated - HCPC registration required
- Category
- Mental Health and Therapy
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What a Art Therapist does
Use creative art-making as a therapeutic tool with children and adults facing emotional or mental health difficulties.
How to become an art therapist in the UK
Most training programmes ask for a degree in art or a related subject, although graduates in psychology, nursing, social work or education with a strong personal art practice are often accepted. You also need relevant experience in a caring, health, education or social care setting. The HCPC-approved Master's takes two years full-time or longer part-time, and includes clinical placements and, on most courses, personal therapy. After qualifying you register with the HCPC and keep your registration through CPD. The British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) is the professional body. Similar routes lead to music therapist and drama therapist roles.
- Keep developing your own art practice and build a portfolio, as training interviews usually ask you to show and talk about your work.
- Get paid or voluntary experience supporting people in mental health, learning disability, school, care or hospice settings to show you can work with vulnerable people.
- Take an introductory art therapy or counselling skills course to check the work suits you before committing to a two-year Master's.
- Apply for an HCPC-approved Master's in art therapy or art psychotherapy, and budget for personal therapy, which most courses require during training.
- Complete your clinical placements, then register with the HCPC before using the title art therapist or applying for posts.
- Apply for NHS, school, charity and hospice posts, or build a private practice once you have experience, and join BAAT for guidance and networking.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art degree, experience, then HCPC-approved Master's | 4-6 years in total | Tuition fee loan, then postgraduate fees | Artists who want clinical work |
| Move across from nursing, teaching or social care | 2 years full-time for the Master's | Postgraduate fees | Experienced care and education workers |
| Part-time Master's while working | About 3 years | Postgraduate fees | People who need to keep earning |
How long it takes
Allow four to six years from starting a first degree to HCPC registration, including relevant work experience and a two-year Master's. If you already have a degree and caring experience, it takes about two to three years.
Art Therapist salary in the UK
Newly qualified art therapists usually earn around £30,000 to £35,000. With experience, pay rises to about £37,000 to £45,000, and senior or lead art therapists earn around £48,000 to £60,000. Most NHS posts are paid on Agenda for Change bands, with extra allowances in and around London. Many art therapists work part-time or combine posts across schools, charities and private practice, so actual income depends on how many sessions you build up. Private practice rates vary by location and client group.
Key skills
- Art-based intervention
- Therapeutic relationship
- Reflective practice
- Documentation
Art Therapist FAQs
How do I become an art therapist in the UK?
Build your art practice and experience in a caring or education setting, then complete an HCPC-approved Master's in art therapy or art psychotherapy. Once qualified, register with the HCPC, which you must do before using the title art therapist.
Do you need an art degree to be an art therapist?
Usually, but not always. Most courses prefer an art degree, but they also accept graduates in psychology, nursing, social work or education who can show a strong, ongoing art practice. Some consider applicants with equivalent experience, so check each course.
How much does an art therapist earn in the UK?
Newly qualified art therapists earn around £30,000 to £35,000. Experienced therapists earn about £37,000 to £45,000, and senior or lead art therapists earn around £48,000 to £60,000, with most NHS roles paid on Agenda for Change bands.
Can I call myself an art therapist without HCPC registration?
No. Art therapist and art psychotherapist are protected titles, so using them without HCPC registration is a criminal offence. You can use art in wellbeing or community work without registration, but you must not describe yourself as an art therapist.
Is Art Therapist right for you?
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Not sure art therapist is the right career for you? A good career test narrows the field before you spend money retraining.