Bufalino, Rebecca - Art Therapist
From What can you do with a degree in psychology?
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| Each environment allows for different types of work days. Working in a school environment involves typical workdays that fluctuate in sessions. Some days can be chaotic and involve client after client, while others can be slow. Working in a private practice allows for more flexibility in scheduling. It isn't as random and spontaneous as working in a school setting. The appointments are more planned and structured. Each work setting displays slight changes in the typical workdays but involve the same general structure and ideas related to sessions. | Each environment allows for different types of work days. Working in a school environment involves typical workdays that fluctuate in sessions. Some days can be chaotic and involve client after client, while others can be slow. Working in a private practice allows for more flexibility in scheduling. It isn't as random and spontaneous as working in a school setting. The appointments are more planned and structured. Each work setting displays slight changes in the typical workdays but involve the same general structure and ideas related to sessions. | ||
| - | == Educational requirements and other qualifications == | + | == Educational requirements and other qualifications == |
| + | In Canada, a Bachelor of Arts is required to become an Art Therapist. It is recommended that the majority of the classes taken be related to Visual Arts and Psychology. This is required all over Canada. Further education is not necessary. However, it is beneficial to continue education to further experience. Furthering education involves post-graduate certificates, graduate diplomas or Master's degrees. There are Art Therapy Institutes that provide 15-month programs following an undergraduate degree. These programs are greatly recommended. Some locations of these schools are in British Columbia: The Vancouver Art Therapy Institute (VATI) and in Toronto: The Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI). | ||
| == Related skills, interests and abilities == | == Related skills, interests and abilities == | ||
Revision as of 08:49, 27 March 2015
Contents |
Job Title (Rebecca Bufalino)
Art Therapist
General Overview
Art Therapy combines a creative process and psychotherapy. It facilitates self-exploration and understanding of thoughts through using imagery, shapes and colours. This creative process assists in revealing thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to articulate. Art Therapists work one on one with clients who experience illness, traumas or face challenges in everyday life. They use methods of art such as drawing, painting, sculpting and photography to help reveal the expressions and emotions each client feels.
Job duties and responsibilities
- Talk to clients in therapy sessions to build relationships and analyze progress
- Use drawing, building, sculpting crafts and more art forms for sessions; The form of art depends on the age and abilities of the client
- Determine appropriate form of art for each client
- Provide guided self-expression through each session to provide a better understanding of the client
- Assist the client in coping with cognitive, emotional or physical impairments
- Design programs that fit the client's goals and abilities
- Write treatment plans, case summaries and progress reports for each client
Typical workday
A typical workday for an Art Therapist is similar to that of any other Therapist or counsellor. Their days vary depending on how many appointments they have. Sometimes they can have up to eight appointments a day. This involves meeting with clients, usually for an hour at a time. Their sessions involve conducting creative programs that allow the client to express themselves through visual aids. After the sessions are completed, they typically spend a few minutes producing case summaries and evaluations of the session. Their days are repetitive in the sense that it is the same structure every day, session after session. They are different because each session is unique and involves a different program and communication depending on the clients needs. Art Therapists can work in a variety of different settings, such as:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Correctional facilities
- Private practice
Each environment allows for different types of work days. Working in a school environment involves typical workdays that fluctuate in sessions. Some days can be chaotic and involve client after client, while others can be slow. Working in a private practice allows for more flexibility in scheduling. It isn't as random and spontaneous as working in a school setting. The appointments are more planned and structured. Each work setting displays slight changes in the typical workdays but involve the same general structure and ideas related to sessions.
Educational requirements and other qualifications
In Canada, a Bachelor of Arts is required to become an Art Therapist. It is recommended that the majority of the classes taken be related to Visual Arts and Psychology. This is required all over Canada. Further education is not necessary. However, it is beneficial to continue education to further experience. Furthering education involves post-graduate certificates, graduate diplomas or Master's degrees. There are Art Therapy Institutes that provide 15-month programs following an undergraduate degree. These programs are greatly recommended. Some locations of these schools are in British Columbia: The Vancouver Art Therapy Institute (VATI) and in Toronto: The Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI).
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