🌱 Considering a Career in Art Therapy? A Therapist’s Reflection

(Art Therapy Manchester| Creative Therapy Manchester | Therapy Manchester)

Art Therapist, Chloe,

The Seed That Was Planted

When I was in college, I wanted to study both art and psychology but was told it wasn’t possible because of the workload and that it wouldn’t lead to a “proper career.” The idea must have already been.

Years later, while working a Saturday job, I came across an advert for art therapy with a colleague who’d just graduated from Fine Art. The idea must have watered itself quietly that day.

I went on to study Textiles Design at university, then volunteered in Tanzania for three months. Coming home, something in me had shifted. I no longer wanted to design for consumerism I wanted to support communities.

My friend and I set up a small studio offering creative workshops and exhibition opportunities for those who might not normally access art. Watching how people intuitively used art differently re-sparked my curiosity. I wanted to know more.

Taking the Leap into Training

Starting my journey into an art therapy career, in 2017, I took a foundation course in art therapy in Sheffield and by the middle of the year, I’d applied for the MA Art Psychotherapy (accredited by Leeds Beckett University).

Training was transformative but not without its challenges. The course was costly, and being on a part-time course meant juggling essays, clinical placements, and my own therapy with limited paid work.

I was lucky to have diverse placements including a secondary school, a charity in India, a project with young homeless people, and even Manchester Museum. Each taught me something unique about people, art, and healing.

The Early Days of Qualifying

No one really talks about the transition between qualifying and working but it’s a big one.

The excitement of seeing my first client as a qualified therapist, in a part time role for a big UK company, had I made it?! The first also involved, figuring out how to make additional income as I was only employed part time. This was mixed with confusion trying to work out what “independent therapist” or “associate therapist” really meant, what I should be charging, and how much I should be getting paid per hour in, in employed work. Whilst also, reflecting on what I might specialise in, what theories algin with my approach, what even is my approach, what setting is my ideal setting and which clients do I enjoy working with most and can help the most with my approach. Its a journey, its lot of thinking, its a lot of reflecting, its a lot of growth,

I felt the absence of weekly group supervision I’d had during training and realised how important it was to find the right supervisor for me. Discovering imposter syndrome  and recognising it became a key part of these early months.

There’s also the practical side: the emails, reports, and paperwork required by the systems we work in it was more than I’d expected. Not just glitter and glue.

What helped me most was:

• Staying connected with those I trained with

• Embedding self-care into my daily life whilst training. It is now part of my lifestyle rather then just using it when approaching burnt out

• Keeping compassionate toward myself during setbacks and financial stress, meeting the inner critic with gentle acknowledgement and compassion,

• Finding ways to overcome the financial realities of being an early-career practitioner, side hustles are okay, they can be part of the transition, it does mean failing. It is a difficult sector to make full time.

• Networking in a way that felt doable for me,

  
  

These first years were a mix of fear, growth, and pride but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

What It Takes to Be an Art Therapist

Art therapy is deeply relational. It asks you to be:

• Truly self-aware, able to regulate, notice, and reflect on your own feelings

• Creative and curious, finding ways to help when clients feel stuck

• Comfortable with discomfort, willing to sit with emotions that can’t be quickly solved

• A listener first, allowing space for what your client brings

  
  

This work changes you. And that’s why I always recommend taking your time with training study part-time if possible, and allow yourself space to digest and process the learning.

Tips If You’re Considering This Career

• Try a foundation course or workshop before committing , dip a toe in before you dive

• Speak with art therapists about their day-to-day work

• Think about your financial plan , training is costly, and the early years can take time to become financially steady

• Build your support network ,peers, mentors, supervisors

• Remember: there’s no rush. An extra year to train part-time is a gift

  
  

Therapy and Supervision for Trainees

If you’re considering a career in art therapy, you might need personal therapy as part of training or be looking for supervision during placements.

I offer both 🖌️🔗 Therapy for Adults and🔗 Clinical Supervision

You can also read my blog post:🔗 Clinical Supervision in Art Therapy

Resources:

• Professional Resources — books, tools, and creative practices for continued reflection

Related Blog Posts:

• How Inner Transformation Affects Mental Health — reflecting on personal growth

• Therapy vs Counselling — helping readers understand different therapeutic approaches

• What the Children Bring, What the Parents Hold and What Schools See — systemic reflections useful for teachers and social workers