Art Therapist

Art Therapists help patients cope with their emotions and express their mental wellbeing through art.

Art Therapist Job Description

Plan and facilitate art therapy sessions.

Provide a consistent and safe setting, offering the most useful art materials.

Organise one-on-one and group workshops.
Develop treatment plans which allow patients to have a creative outlet through various art mediums.

Attend seminars and conferences to discuss treatment methods and share experiences.

Liaise with Healthcare and Social Work professionals and refer clients to them.

Note

The focus is not on artistic skills but on the creative personal process. The purpose is to facilitate communication and improve patients' mental and physical well-being.

A day in the life

Art Therapist

Can't find ways to comfortably express your thoughts? May, an Art Therapist, helps everyone from all walks of life with Art. Watch to find out how she does it.

What you should know about Art Therapist jobs in Singapore

Nature of Work

You will be practising in a variety of settings, like mainstream/ special needs schools, hospitals, prisons, and mental health institutions.

Key advice

Be prepared to work on weekends and evenings. Proper planning and arranging of sessions is necessary, so familiarise yourself with Microsoft Office!

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements
Minimally a two-year postgraduate degree in Art Therapy from local or overseas educational institutions is required.

If you want to practise in Singapore, LASALLE offers a master’s Art Therapy Programme spanning a range of psychotherapeutic concepts, theories and practices.

Try to go for volunteering and job shadowing to get more experience in the environment. You can go to schools, hospitals, prisons and care centres.
Possible Pathway

Possible Pathway

Skills you need to pursue an Art Therapist career in Singapore

Hard Skills

Visual Art

Mastery of art forms like painting, drawing, sculpture, or digital art is crucial for conducting therapy sessions.

Microsoft Office

Skills in using Microsoft Office applications for documentation, planning, and administrative tasks.

Knowledge in Theory of Therapy

Understand psychological and therapeutic theories, particularly those relevant to Art Therapy.

Soft Skills

Sensitivity

A strong empathetic approach is essential for understanding clients' emotional and psychological needs.

Emotional Stability

Maintaining composure and support is essential for working with emotionally challenged clients.

Patience

Essential for working effectively with clients who may require more time to express themselves or progress in therapy.

“Remember your call and trust the process.”

May, Art Therapist

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Who does Art Therapy benefit?

Creative expression through Art Therapy has been found to benefit people of all ages. It is particularly beneficial for those who are managing addictions and want to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can provide a less intrusive approach for people who find it difficult to express themselves verbally.
Do Art Therapists conduct psychological analyses of the clients' artwork?

This is a very common misconception. The role of Art Therapists isn't to diagnose clients, instead, they guide clients to find meaning and background through self-expression, which can facilitate emotional healing and promote psychological wellness.
What is a common challenge faced by Art Therapists?

A challenge faced by Art Therapists is working with clients who resist or have difficulty expressing themselves through art.
How do Art Therapists assess and evaluate their clients?

Art Therapists closely observe their clients during art-making sessions, paying attention to their choices of materials, themes, colours, and symbols.
How do Art Therapists maintain client confidentiality?

One way of doing it is through storing client records securely and ensuring that only authorised individuals, such as the Art Therapists and their supervisors, have access to these records.