From Passion to Profession: Becoming an Art Therapist in Canada
Do you love art and also feel called to help others heal, grow, and express themselves? If so, becoming an art therapist might be the perfect path for you. But how do you get there?
Let’s walk through the journey step by step—from where you are now to where you want to be: working as a professional art therapist in Canada.
Step 1: Understand What Art Therapy Is
Before diving in, it’s important to understand the field you’re getting into.
Art therapy is a form of therapy that uses creative expression—drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, and more—as a way to explore emotions, process experiences, and promote mental well-being. Art therapists work with individuals, groups, and communities in schools, hospitals, private clinics, shelters, and more.
Art therapy is not about making “good” art—it’s about the process, not the product. Want to learn more about what art therapy is all about? Dive into our blog article, Understanding Art Therapy!
Step 2: Get a Bachelor's Degree
To pursue a career in art therapy, your first step is to complete an undergraduate degree. Most graduate programs in art therapy require applicants to have a background in either:
Psychology (e.g., counselling, child development, mental health)
Fine Arts (e.g., painting, sculpture, mixed media)
The ideal candidate will have experience in both areas. You don’t need to double major, but it helps if you’ve taken a mix of courses in visual arts and psychology.
If your undergraduate program didn’t include courses in both fields, don’t worry! Many art therapy schools allow you to complete prerequisites separately before applying.
Step 3: Find a Master’s Program in Art Therapy
In Canada, there are a limited number of universities and institutions offering graduate-level art therapy programs, so it’s important to know your options early on.
Here are some well-known programs across the country:
Ontario:
Toronto Art Therapy Institute (graduate diploma and certificate programs)
University of Toronto (Master’s in counselling with art therapy electives or related programs)
George Brown College (graduate diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy)
Quebec:
Concordia University (Master of Arts in Art Education with art therapy focus)
Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) (graduate programs related to art therapy and counselling)
British Columbia:
Emily Carr University of Art + Design (graduate programs in art therapy and expressive therapies)
Alberta:
University of Calgary (Master’s programs in counselling that can include art therapy components)
Note: Some of these programs are direct art therapy degrees, others are related fields like counselling or expressive therapies that allow you to specialize or take courses in art therapy. Be sure to check if the program is approved or recognized by the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) or the Ontario Art Therapy Association (OATA) if you plan to register professionally.
Also, some programs accept students with a background in counselling or psychology and offer accelerated or bridge options for those with prior graduate degrees.
Step 4: Complete a Graduate Program in Art Therapy
Once you have your bachelor’s degree (and any necessary prerequisites), the next step is to enroll in a graduate-level art therapy program. These are typically offered as:
Master’s degrees (e.g., Master of Arts in Art Therapy)
Graduate diplomas or certificates (for those who already hold a master’s in a related field)
In Canada, you’ll want to choose a program that is recognized by a professional art therapy association, such as:
Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA)
Ontario Art Therapy Association (OATA) (for those practicing in Ontario)
Most programs include:
Academic coursework in art therapy theory, ethics, mental health, and counseling
Studio-based art practice
A supervised practicum or internship, where you’ll work directly with clients under the supervision of a registered art therapist
Programs vary in length and format—some are full-time, others part-time or online/hybrid.
Step 5: Accumulate Clinical Experience and Supervision Hours
After completing your graduate program, you’ll need to log a certain number of supervised clinical hours to become fully recognized or “registered” as an art therapist.
This usually means:
Working with real clients in a therapy setting
Receiving supervision from a qualified art therapist
Carefully documenting your hours and experiences
The number of hours required depends on the association you're registering with, but it’s typically around 1,000 hours of client contact and 50+ hours of supervision.
Some people complete these hours as part of a job in a clinical or community setting; others may volunteer or combine roles while working toward registration.
Step 6: Join a Professional Association
Professional associations help regulate the field and set the standards for ethical and effective practice. They also offer resources, networking, and ongoing education.
You’ll want to apply for membership in at least one of the following:
CATA (Canadian Art Therapy Association): Offers different membership levels based on your education and experience.
OATA (Ontario Art Therapy Association): Specific to Ontario, but aligned with national and international standards.
QATA (Quebec Art Therapy Association): Represents the professional practice of art therapy in Quebec.
BCATA (British Colombia Art Therapy Association): Founded to foster the professional development of art therapy in British Columbia.
Most people begin as Professional Members, and after fulfilling the post-graduate hours and supervision, they apply to become Registered Art Therapists (RCAT) or a similar designation.
Step 7: (If Applicable) Register with a Regulatory College
In some provinces, you may also need to be registered with a provincial regulatory college to practice legally as a psychotherapist. For example, in Ontario, art therapists must register with:
The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
This process involves submitting documentation of your education and supervised experience, passing a jurisprudence exam, and possibly completing an entry-to-practice exam.
This step ensures you're legally authorized to provide psychotherapy, which is a regulated act in several provinces.
Know that in Quebec, psychotherapy is strictly regulated by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ). Only OPQ members or authorized professionals can legally use the title "psychotherapist" and provide psychotherapy. Art therapists without specific permits or psychologist licensure cannot independently offer psychotherapy services. Therefore, while they can provide therapeutic art support, their ability to practice psychotherapy is limited. Understanding these legal limits is crucial for practicing in Quebec.
Step 8: Begin Practicing!
At this point, you’ve completed your education, logged your hours, joined your association(s), and possibly obtained provincial registration. You're now ready to:
Open your private practice
Work in clinics, hospitals, or community organizations
Specialize in working with specific populations (e.g., children, trauma survivors, seniors)
Continue learning through workshops, conferences, and supervision
Your career can grow and evolve based on your interests, values, and the communities you serve.
Bonus Tips
Volunteer or shadow an art therapist to gain insight into the field
Keep a portfolio of your own art—it’s often part of the grad school application
Develop strong communication and self-reflection skills—they’re as important as your art and psych knowledge
Be prepared to work independently and collaboratively in diverse settings
Final Thoughts
Becoming an art therapist in Canada is a creative and meaningful journey. It requires dedication, education, and a passion for both art and helping others. Whether you’re just starting to explore this path or actively applying to programs, each step is part of a beautiful process—just like art therapy itself.
So grab your brushes, follow your curiosity, and let your future unfold one colorful layer at a time.
