The MSc Art Psychotherapy aims to enable participants to undertake the effective clinical practice of Art Psychotherapy in which the process of art-making plays a central role within a psychotherapeutic relationship. The programme also aims to develop participants’ knowledge, skills, professional responsibility and ethical approach sufficiently so that they meet the requirements for the academic award and the HPC Standards of Proficiency. Therefore, successful completion of the programme will provide eligibility to apply for HPC registration. HPC registration permits use of the legally protected titles: “Art Psychotherapist” or “Art Therapist” necessary to practise in the UK.

Particular emphasis is placed on the following themes:

• Art Psychotherapy studies, personal development and art-making processes;
• development of ethical and safe clinical practice and cultural competency;
• reflective practice, evaluation, clinical governance and research;
• the promotion of wellbeing and creativity.

The MSc Art Psychotherapy offers an innovative programme in the Centre for Psychotherapy with the following benefits:

• a clinical context for the programme within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust thus promoting multidisciplinary networking and clinical practice
• on-site video conferencing enabling internationally renowned psychotherapeutic teachers to contribute to the programme
• on-site library with specialised psychotherapy / art psychotherapy focus
• the sharing of generic components between the MSc Art Psychotherapy and other training programmes in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy based in the Centre for Psychotherapy, thus promoting inter-disciplinary learning
• art-making and the art process at the core of the psychotherapeutic training
• the Centre for Psychotherapy is based in a villa set in its own grounds in the healthcare park.

Normally, the required entry criteria leading to possible selection for interview include the following key components (a-d):

• (a) An honours degree or equivalent qualification (normally in visual arts / Fine Art, psychology or allied area; or a relevant professional qualification e.g. nursing, social work, teaching, medical etc); or demonstrate the ability to complete academic studies in higher education
• (b) Demonstration of a substantial and developing body of current own artwork and ongoing commitment to their own artwork. Showing a portfolio of artwork is a part of the interview. (This is especially important where the degree is not in the visual arts).
• (c) At least one year’s full time experience in a professionally relevant context (e.g. mental health, health / social care, social services, education, counselling), or its equivalent.
• (d) International applicants who do not have English as a first language must be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to level 7 of the International Language Testing System (IELTS) with no element below 6.5.
• Desired entry criteria normally include: 1st class or 2.1 honours degree; a significant extent of range and depth of experience across the entry criteria; experience of personal therapy. If applications exceed the number of places available, as normally occurs, then the desired entry requirements will also be used for selection.

Applicants meeting the entry requirements will be invited to interviews and supply two references. Successful applicants will undergo security clearance in compliance with the AccessNI or its equivalent. Applicants need to be aware that normally all candidates selected for interview or offered a provisional place will be asked to give written consent to an AccessNI enhanced disclosure check, or equivalent, before being accepted onto the programme. Non-declaration may result in your application being rejected. Pre-placement health assessment: applicants also need to be aware that candidates invited for interview or offered a provisional place will normally be required to complete a full health assessment form and may be required to have an occupational health assessment before commencing placements / training.
NB. The programme will normally have one intake every two years, normally with a maximum intake of 18 students.

Learning and teaching methods will include:

• Psychotherapy seminars and video conferencing (some may be jointly with other training programmes in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy based in the Centre for Psychotherapy, thus promoting inter-disciplinary learning)
• Art Psychotherapy seminars and experientials, tutorials, art training groups, studio group, some weekends, practicums (2-3 clinical placements plus clinical supervision groups), personal therapy, web-based and self-directed learning.
• The Centre for Psychotherapy is located within Knockbracken Healthcare Park and occupies a large villa, Shimna House, set in its own grounds.

Modules 1-4: Assignment;

Module 5/6: Dissertation.

Practicums: Summative assessment(s) by CfP supervisor (informed by:

• ≥ 1 observation by CfP supervisor
• student self-evaluation, PDP & presentation; on-site supervisor evaluations
• Completion of personal therapy hours (evidenced by; log of personal therapy hours ≥ 75 hours over duration of programme).

The MSc Art Psychotherapy is a professional Allied Health Professions pre-registration training. Successful completion of an HPC approved programme provides eligibility to apply for HPC registration. It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practise using a title protected by the Health Professions Council Order 2001 (e.g. "Art Psychotherapist" or "Art Therapist") is on the HPC register.
The practicum component of the programme normally involves supervised clinical placements within the HSC Trust and in external institutions.

Assignments and the dissertation offer opportunities for students to explore their personal and professional development. The dissertation aims to develop students as reflective practitioner-researchers and enables them to research specific topics of interest. Research training, research supervision and peer group study will support the creation of a 14,000 word dissertation. Arts-based research topics and methodologies are encouraged.
Past dissertations have involved students exploring aspects of their placement practice and/or their personal experience and development. Methodological approaches have included qualitative, quantitative, arts-based, autoethnography, narrative etc.

Graduates from an HPC approved MSc Art Psychotherapy programme will be eligible to apply to the HPC for registration to use the legally protected titles of either “Art Psychotherapist” or “Art Therapist” and thus practise art psychotherapy / art therapy.

Employment of Art Psychotherapists / Art Therapists is growing locally and throughout the UK and the programme has further stimulated this. New posts and sessional work have arisen as a result of interest generated by student placements. Some individuals are enabled by employers to train as art therapists and are subsequently employed as art therapists in their place of work. Some find part-time or sessional work in specialist areas. Some combine art therapy sessional work with other kinds of employment. Some state a preference of maintaining their identity as professional artists and working sessionally as an Art Therapist. Some return to the country of origin and set up services there.

We would hope that some students on the programme will go on to undertake further research and undertake PhD theses. There are additional opportunities for further study through life-long continuing professional development (CPD). We have a local, national and international links that offer opportunities for research.

Each student will attend an induction event to introduce them to the Centre’s staff and to the programme.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who will be responsible for supporting them throughout the programme and address learning queries or any other problems they might be experiencing that could inhibit their progress. Pastoral care support is also available.

There is a well stocked library at the Centre for Psychotherapy and nearby libraries which includes books, journals and off-prints. In addition the Centre holds an Institutional PEP Licence which allows students to have access to PEP Archives. Students will also have access to UEL’s online learning environment. Web-based resources are available to students off campus via the internet. Students will have a UEL Athens account.

All lectures will be accompanied by handouts and a recommended reading list which will be made available in advance of the lecture. In addition, normally some lectures may recorded which will provide an archive of DVD’s for loan to students.

Students are allocated a dissertation supervisor who will meet regularly with them to offer advice and guidance on producing a high quality dissertation.

Students have a clinical supervisor and supervision group to support their clinical practice. Training groups and studio group art-making experientials further support personal and professional development. Another key support is that students are in personal therapy throughout the programme.

The placement component of the programme offers opportunities for diverse experience in external institutions. We welcome international students and hope to continue to develop overseas connections.