Can you recommend me an art therapy training?

• EFAT does not engage in indicating or favoring specific Art Therapy education offers. It is important that you find the best fit for yourself, based on your interests and your personal and professional profile and prerequisites.
• Make sure, however, that your training allows you to become a Full EFAT member (membership criteria) ​​​ and that it equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to competently exercise your profession. As a rule of thumb, the more demanding and solid the training, the better! Especially practicum requirements should not be limited to a few hours and should always include individual and/or group supervision by an experienced art therapy professional.
• Since the pandemic, many art therapy education offers have adopted online teaching for certain training components. While this is adequate for the  theoretical and to some extent methodical knowledge, the practical nature of art therapy requires a certain amount of live experiential learning. Mistrust the cheap, brief online education offers without supervised practicum requirements circulating on social media!
• Please look up the information for the countries of your choice.

can i study art therapy in XY-LANGUAGE IN XY-COUNTRY?

Please be aware that in general courses are taught only in the language(s) of the respective country. Education offers in English may occasionally be found in Spain or in Denmark.

I am moving/ want to move to another country. What are the requirements for art therapy practice there?

• Please contact the respective national professional association for information about the requirements for employment or establishing a private practice.
• Be aware of the importance of being able to speak your future clients'/patients' language(s). Art therapy is not exclusively non-verbal! ​

which art therapy education is recognized by EfAT?

EFAT does not accredit art therapy training courses.   
However, according to EFAT's membership criteria, the following education allows to become a Full member:
- Scenario 1: University or academic education conferring a Bachelor of Arts (180-240 ECTS-European credit transfer system points), a Master of Arts (60/90-120 ECTS) or an equivalent Diploma/Certificate in Art Therapy, reaching a full cycle of 300 ECTS or more including previous training.
- Scenario 2: Private art therapy education or university training courses with no less than the equivalent of 60 ECTS points or 1500 hours reaching a total of minimum 180 ECTS including previous studies/training.
- Scenario 3: Candidates whose training does not meet these minimum criteria but extends to a minimum of 1000 study hours (40 ECTS) can earn Compensation Credit Points for proven work experience, continuing education and additional psychotherapy training. Please note: Applicants in this scenario will only be accepted if their training is completed BEFORE 31st January 2025. We therefore recommend that you seek art therapy education that fulfills the criteria for scenario 1 or 2.  

Please consult the detailed membership criteria for Full Individual membership here.

What are the requirements for entering art therapy education?

The entry requirements for art therapy training courses differ from school to school. In most cases, art therapy education is dispensed at a postgraduate (mostly post-bachelor, sometimes post-master) level. This means that prior education in a related field, such as the visual/plastic arts, the humanities, psychology, pedagogy or a social field, is demanded.
In a few countries, full-time 3-4-year bachelor studies in art therapy are available where the artistic and the psychological and therapeutic know-how is taught in an integrated fashion.

In any case, the experience with the art making process is deemed to be a necessary prerequisite whether on a professional or a personal level. Many schools have extended application procedures with entry exams and, as part of this, will ask for a portfolio of your artwork. Being selective shows that the training institution is responsible about educating future therapists. High demands should never deter you from applying. DO NOT turn to a school that accepts anyone who is willing to pay!

how I can have my qualification as an Art therapist recognised if I want to work in another EU country?

• With the exception of a few countries within the European Union (namely Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland and Italy), and Switzerland and the UK outside of the EU, that have specific voluntary or binding regulations in place, art therapists do not  need their qualifications to be validated by the national authorities in order to become employable in another country.
• There is, however, the possibility for nationally recognized university bachelor's and master's degrees in art therapy,  which meet the educational standards set by the Bologna treaties, to be formally recognized as a valid academic title in other countries. It is advisable to do so in order to be able to negotiate a salary which corresponds to your level of training. Please contact the respective national authorities for information on how this can be done.

DOES EFAT OFFER oR ARRANGE INTERNSHIPS ? 

No, EFAT is a professional umbrella organisation for art therapists and art therapy associations in Europe and as such does not offer or arrange any internship opportunities. Please consult the section "Art Therapy on the Map" to identify the contact information for the national professional associations of the country/ies of your choice in order to find out if they might be able to help you.

DOES EFAT OFFER ART THERAPY TRAINING?

No, EFAT is not a training institution but a professional association. As such it does not provide art therapy training to those wishing to enter the profession. 
That said, EFAT organises Continuing Professional Development seminars/webinars and masterclasses for its fully trained members.