Joanne Gibson
11 September 2025
•4 min read
What is arts therapy?
Simply put, arts therapists are psychological therapists who use creative techniques to help people. The team Kate leads in the NHS includes art therapists, music therapists, and dramatherapists.
This approach is not about creating a masterpiece; it's about using the creative process to explore feelings, build relationships, and communicate what might be too difficult to say out loud.
A different approach to mental health
Arts therapy can be particularly helpful for people who find traditional talking therapies overwhelming.
“We often see people who are actually kind of really quite unwell,” Kate explains. It provides a vital service for those who have experienced past trauma, have difficulty trusting others, or are in significant emotional distress. The use of art helps the therapist get alongside their client in a gentle and supportive way.
Meet Kate: An inside look at arts therapy
The creative process itself is a powerful tool for building a therapeutic relationship. Whether using art, drama, or music, the goal is to help people feel more relaxed and able to open up.
- Art therapy uses visual media like paint or clay.
- Dramatherapy has the advantage of using the body and physical expression.
- Music therapy focuses on making connections through sound and rhythm, with the therapist attuning to the client to guide the session.
Watch this video to hear Kate talk about how creativity builds connection.
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Scene one video: Using clay to explore feelings and interactions
Step inside a group art therapy session led by Mai, an Arts Therapist. This 360° video shows a group of clients on a ward working with clay to explore their feelings and interactions. The scene begins as they reflect on an exercise where they have swapped and altered each other's creations.
The video focuses on the dynamic between 2 clients, Megan and Attila, who have a difficult relationship. Watch how the shared, non-verbal act of making something with clay opens up a conversation about risk, trust, and seeing things from another person's perspective in a safe and contained way.
Observe the therapist’s expertise as she guides the conversation, asking gentle questions to help the clients make their own discoveries. She links the tactile sensation of the "soft" clay to the "noisy" and "hard" reality of the ward. This demonstrates how art therapy uses sensory experiences to help people process their environment and emotions.
Scene two video: Using objects to share memories and feelings
This video demonstrates a group dramatherapy session led by dramatherapist Charlie. The scene begins with a gentle, physical check-in before Charlie introduces a 'magic bag'. He invites each client to pull out a symbolic object that represents a time they felt completely comfortable and at ease.
Watch as one client, Atilla, chooses a pair of sunglasses that remind him of being relaxed on a beach. With the dramatherapist’s guidance, he shares the object with another client, Megan. This simple, imaginative act creates a moment of positive connection and a shared good feeling between them.
This scene highlights the skill of a dramatherapist in using props and storytelling to help people access and communicate positive memories. Observe how Charlie facilitates safe interaction within the group. See how a single object can be used as a powerful tool to build bridges and explore their different personal stories.
Scene three video: Communicating and expressing feelings through music
This video shows a one-to-one music therapy session with therapist Mary-Claire and client Megan. The scene begins with Megan expressing that she has a lot of energy. She wants to communicate only through music, without talking.
Observe as Megan leads the session, freely exploring a range of instruments, from the keyboard to various percussion. The music therapist's role is not to direct but to listen and respond. With her guitar, Mary-Claire provides a steady and supportive musical anchor, creating a safe foundation for Megan's expression.
This scene is a powerful example of a non-verbal 'musical conversation'. Watch for moments where the therapist and client copy each other's rhythms, demonstrating the therapeutic skill of attunement. This is the expertise of a music therapist. They create a space where complex feelings can be explored and communicated entirely through sound.
Entry requirements for an arts therapy career
Arts therapies are postgraduate professions, so you will need a relevant undergraduate degree to apply for a master's course. Alongside academic qualifications, Kate explains that a strong foundation of practical experience is vital.
She suggests getting this experience in areas like:
- schools
- social work
- the care sector
Working in these roles is an excellent way to build the essential communication and empathy skills you will need as an arts therapist.
Essential skills for the role
According to Kate, being a successful therapist requires specific personal attributes. You need to be:
- A good listener and a close observer.
- Genuinely interested in people and their experiences.
- Curious about what is happening for your client, and for yourself.
Kate emphasises that a deep interest in people is just as important as any formal qualification.
A vital and rewarding career
In a health service often focused on physical care, arts therapies play a crucial role in supporting the nation's mental health. “Having ways to access psychological therapies when you're really unwell is absolutely vital in saving people's lives,” Kate says.
For her, the reward comes from seeing the positive changes in people's lives. “Hearing back from people who have felt the benefits… That's what keeps me coming into work every day.”
Discover more allied health professions
Check out our AHP career guide and explore how you can become an allied health professional.