British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).
The British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) is the professional organisation for art therapists in the United Kingdom and has its own Code of Ethics of Professional Practice. Comprising regional groups and a European and International section, it maintains a comprehensive directory of qualified art therapists and works to promote art therapy in the UK.
What is an Art Therapist?
An art therapist is a professional who is trained in both art and therapy. Art Therapists have a wealth of knowledge about human development, psychological theories and clinical practice. Art Therapists work with people of all ages, individually, couples, families and groups within the community. They provide services, individually and as part of clinical teams in settings that include Schools, Mental Health services, health and well being centers and within community outreach programmes to name a few.
How to become an Art Therapist.
The art therapist’s work is sometimes challenging and calls for skill and sensitivity. It follows that those who wish to pursue a career in art therapy should be mature, flexible people. The training course, which combines theoretical and experiential work, is for a Postgraduate Masters degree to be completed over two years full time or three years part time. Applicants should already have a degree in art, although other graduates with experience of working in health, education or social care are sometimes considered.
HCPC State Registration.
Art therapy is a diverse profession and it is important to ensure that those who practice it are maintaining the standards that we, as a professional body, uphold. Art therapists, along with music and dramatherapists are state regulated with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (www.hcpc-uk.org). In order to practise in the UK as an art therapist or art psychotherapist (both titles are protected by law), practitioners are legally bound to be registered with the HCPC. Registration with the HCPC demands high standards of education and clinical practice and ensures public protection.
For further information please visit
HCPC: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/arts-therapists/
BAAT: https://www.baat.org/
Art Therapy North 