Therapy Specialisms
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in Therapy Specialisms.
What are Therapy Specialisms?
Therapy specialists work with groups or individuals to bring about positive changes in their lives (personal, emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration) through the use of art, drama, dance, horticulture or sport. Therapy Specialists are employed by a range of private, statutory and voluntary sector organisations.
Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with job profiles, including art therapist, dance movement therapist, drama therapist, horticultural therapist, music therapist, sports therapist.
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/healtheraspec
Prospects Sector Guide
The Health sector guide from Prospects contains information about working in the sector, how to get into it and much more.
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/healthsb
British Association of Art Therapists
Further information about careers in Art Therapy including training information
www.baat.org/career
Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK
Includes some occupational information about dance
www.admt.org.uk
Thrive
Careers and study information on Social and Therapeutic Horticulture
www.thrive.org.uk
British Society for Music Therapy (BSMT)
The ‘What is MT?’ section contains some useful careers information
www.bsmt.org
NHS Careers
Mind - Careers in mental health
This factsheet is targeted towards people interested in working in the field of mental health. It offers some introductory information on a range of work opportunities in this field. www.mind.org.uk/Information/ Factsheets/
How do I get into it?
Diploma in Art Therapy or Art Psychotherapy
To practice art therapy it is essential to have a post-graduate qualification. Entry to these courses is often gained by graduates from an arts background, but this is not always the case. The nearest training centre to Brighton is currently in the Unit of Psychotherapeutic Studies, Goldsmith's College, University of London: www.goldsmiths.ac.uk Tel: 020 7919 7972
Postgraduate study in Dance Therapy
As training in DMT is at postgraduate level you should have an undergraduate degree, though a foundation course on Dance Movement Therapy offered at Goldsmiths (www.goldsmiths.ac.uk) would be a good start. However, if you do not have an undergraduate degree, then relevant work experience would be necessary in dance and the caring professions – more information is available from
www.admt.org.uk/training
Social and Therapeutic Horticulture
There is no one route that can be taken to a career in theraputic horticulture and currently no one course that will cover everyone's needs.
www.thrive.org.uk/training-and-education-programmes
Society of Sports Therapists
The following Universities are presently affiliated to The Society of Sports Therapists and are currently delivering the BSc (Hon's) in Sports Therapy programme London Metropolitan University, University of Teesside, University of Hertfordshire, University College Chichester
www.society-of-sports-therapists.org/courses.htm
Finding a job or employer in this sector
Vacancies
Therapy Specialists are employed by a range of private, statutory and voluntary sector organisations including: the NHS, Social Services, the prison service, education establishments, community centres and charities.
Community Care
Guardian
Health Service Journal
Horticulture Week
Social Work Today
Thrive Network News
Employers
Department of Health
National Health Service (NHS)
Touch Brighton
Online Business directory
www.touchbrighton.com
Further Information and useful links
Art Therapy
British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
Professional organisation for art therapists in the United Kingdom and has its own Code of Ethics of Professional Practice.
www.baat.org
Dance therapy
The Association for Dance Movement Therapy UK
ADMTUK aims to develop communication amongst dance movement therapists and promote its use throughout the United Kingdom in accordance with the highest professional standards.
www.admt.org.uk
Dance Voice
Responds to requests for information about Dance Movement Therapy practice and training
www.dancevoice.org.uk
Foundation for Community Dance
Includes a dance directory
www.communitydance.org.uk
Health Professions Council (HPC)
The HPC is responsible for the regulation of Art, Drama and Dance therapists
www.hpc-uk.org
NHS Careers
South East National Dance Agency
Horticulture
American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA)
Includes some occupational information about Horticultural therapy
www.ahta.org
Growing Careers
Contains some careers and course information on horticultural therapy.
www.growing-careers.com
Institute of Horticulture (IOH)
The Institute of Horticulture is the authoritative organisation representing all those professionally engaged in Horticulture in the UK & Ireland.
www.horticulture.org.uk
Thrive
National horticultural charity that exists to enable disadvantaged, disabled and older people to participate fully in the social and economic life of the community. Site includes loads of useful links.
www.thrive.org.uk
Music Therapy
Association of Professional Music Therapists
Good overview of the profession
www.apmt.org
British Society for Music Therapy (BSMT)
Promotes the use and development of music therapy, site includes information on how to find a Music Therapist.
www.bsmt.org
Occupational Therapy
The British Association and College of Occupational Therapists
The professional body for occupational therapy staff in the United Kingdom. The site includes a range of career development resources.
www.cot.org.uk
Sports Therapy
Society of Sports Therapists
Addresses the growing demands from sport and leisure on everyone involved in the management and care of injured participants.
www.society-of-sports-therapists.org