Art therapy, facilitated by the art therapist, is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to explore and improve a person’s feelings, emotional conflicts, and behaviours. The creative process and the resulting artwork helps people resolve stress and anxiety, develop new social skills, and improve self-esteem and awareness. (Sokanu)

Occupational profile

Education

The University of Manitoba does not offer specialized training in Art Therapy, but does offer the initial required training in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, and Fine Arts. Please view the links below for more information about training programs in North America.

In Canada, an undergraduate degree in fine arts, psychology, social work or counselling is required before entering one of the art therapy programs. If the undergraduate degree is in another area, a prior learning assessment can be recognized to determine appropriate equivalency. It is recommended to have art and psychology courses. (Canadian Art Therapy Association).

U of M Academic Calendar

The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.

Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit U of M's faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.

Exploring Other Education Options

Labour market information

Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts. 

Resources

Professional Associations
Professional associations may organize events and provide directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities may also be available: engage, learn and network! 

Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring.