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Art therapy for practitioners: books, training, videos and associations

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which a trained art therapist works with a client through art-making inside a therapeutic relationship. The American Art Therapy Association describes it as combining active art-making and the creative process with applied psychological theory.

The method in short

Definition
BAAT: an established form of psychotherapy delivered by trained art therapists
Training in the UK
An HCPC-approved master’s, two years full time or three part time; the HCPC keeps the public register
Training in the US
A master’s degree for entry-level practice, with at least 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of supervised internship
Artistic skill
BAAT states that a client does not need to be skilled in art to benefit

Primary sources: BAAT: what is art therapy, BAAT: how to become an art therapist, AATA: becoming an art therapist

We give you information and answer for how we select it. Check terms, prices and dates with the organiser.

Art therapy books

Whole shelf, 8 books
Approaches to Art Therapy: Theory and Technique
Approaches to Art Therapy: Theory and TechniqueJudith Aron Rubin
Introduction to Art Therapy: Sources & Resources
Introduction to Art Therapy: Sources & ResourcesJudith Aron Rubin
The Art Therapy Sourcebook
The Art Therapy SourcebookCathy A. Malchiodi
Art as Therapy with Children
Art as Therapy with ChildrenEdith Kramer
Expressive Therapies Continuum
Expressive Therapies ContinuumLisa D. Hinz

Art therapy training

We do not run courses. Each programme has a link to the organiser and a check date.

Goldsmiths, University of London

MA Art Psychotherapy

A two-year full-time or three-year part-time master’s with two supervised 60-day placements. The page says completing it makes graduates eligible to apply for HCPC registration and to become BAAT-registered practitioners.

Format
In person, with clinical placements
Language
English
For
A visual arts or related degree or a professional qualification, at least a year of work in health, social services or education, a portfolio and a group interview

Listed byBAAT list of approved master’s courses

Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

University of Derby

MA Art Therapy (Therapeutic Arts)

A two-year full-time master’s taught one day a week on campus, with two clinical placements of 25 and 35 weeks. The page states the course is approved by the HCPC and recognised by BAAT.

Format
On campus, with clinical placements
Language
English
For
A visual arts degree, or a related degree with a folio of artwork; about a year of relevant health or social care work; selection by portfolio and interview

Listed byBAAT list of approved master’s courses

Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

MSc Art Psychotherapy

Described on the page as the only art psychotherapy training in Scotland: two years full time or four years part time, taught on campus with supervised placements across Scotland. The page says it meets the HCPC standards of proficiency for art therapists.

Format
On campus, with supervised placements
Language
English
For
A visual arts degree with a portfolio (other relevant degrees may be considered), at least a year of relevant work experience, and an interview

Listed byBAAT list of approved master’s courses

Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

AATA, USA

Institute for Continuing Education in Art Therapy

Online sessions on art therapy topics from the American Art Therapy Association. Each ends with an online test, clock hours are awarded on completion, and the page states which bodies accept the credit.

Format
Online
Language
English
For
Not stated; each attendee checks whether their licensing or credentialing body accepts the credit
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

BAAT, UK

Accredited level 6 diplomas: art therapy supervision; art therapy with children and young people

Two theory-informed, practice-based diplomas from the British Association of Art Therapists, accredited by the awarding body CPCAB. The page does not give hours or format.

Format
See the organiser
Language
English
For
Open only to qualified art therapists
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

How to choose a programme

  • Recognition. A professional association registry or an accredited provider list.
  • Practice. Hours under supervision and live discussion of your own cases.
  • Teachers. Experience in this particular method.
  • Outcome. A certificate, a path to certification or only knowledge.
  • Entry. Whether you need a base qualification and proof of practice.

Art therapy videos

All videos on methods

Video abstract: Art therapy with people diagnosed with psychosis

Channel: The British Association of Art Therapists · Checked: November 1, 2026

A short abstract of an International Journal of Art Therapy article: interviews and a focus group with 18 UK art therapists in NHS settings about what they do with people diagnosed with psychosis and how they learned it.

Open on YouTube ↗

Video abstract: The bodymind model of art therapy in coping with problem substance use

Channel: The British Association of Art Therapists · Checked: November 1, 2026

A video abstract of a journal article on the bodymind model of art therapy in coping with problem substance use. The description says the model was created to describe some of the ways art therapy may benefit participants.

Open on YouTube ↗

Reimagining art therapy for the digitally-mediated world: a hexagonal relationship

Channel: The British Association of Art Therapists · Checked: November 1, 2026

A video abstract of an International Journal of Art Therapy article by Sarah Haywood and Bridget Grant on art therapy in a digitally mediated world. The description gives only the article reference.

Open on YouTube ↗

Art therapy associations and institutes

Practitioner registries, training standards, conferences. The links go to official sites; the descriptions are ours.

United Kingdom

BAAT, British Association of Art Therapists

The professional membership organisation for art therapists in the UK. Full membership requires HCPC registration; it publishes the International Journal of Art Therapy and runs courses and CPD for practitioners.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

United States

AATA, American Art Therapy Association

The US professional association for art therapists, active for more than 50 years. Its site points students to accredited programmes, offers continuing education courses and announces an annual conference.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

international

ECArTE, European Consortium for Arts Therapies Education

A non-profit consortium of universities founded in 1991, with 34 member institutions in 14 European countries. It works toward mutual recognition of arts therapists’ education across Europe.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

Art therapy questions

How do I choose an art therapy training?

Start with the route your country requires. In the UK that is a master’s course approved by the HCPC followed by HCPC registration; in the US the AATA advises a master’s programme accredited by CAAHEP. Then compare supervised placement hours, how the programme selects students and who teaches.

How is art therapy different from the other arts therapies?

The arts therapies include art therapy, dance movement therapy, dramatherapy, music therapy and play therapy. All use creative activity as part of therapy; art therapy relies mainly on visual art-making, music therapy on music, dance movement therapy on movement and dramatherapy on theatre.

What are the entry requirements for a training?

They depend on the country and the provider. UK programmes such as Goldsmiths and Derby ask for a visual arts or related degree, about a year of relevant work experience, a portfolio and an interview. The AATA lists studio art and psychology among typical prerequisites for US programmes. Read the programme page.

Where can a qualified art therapist continue training?

BAAT runs CPD courses and masterclasses and two level 6 diplomas, open only to qualified art therapists: art therapy supervision, and art therapy with children and young people. The AATA offers online continuing education sessions.

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