ART THERAPY ON THE MAP 

THE STATE OF ART THERAPY IN THE NETHERLANDS

• National Association(s)
• Education
• Recognition
  
• Employement
• Research & Publication
  

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Nederlandse Vereniging van Beeldende Therapie (NVBT) - Dutch Association of Art Therapy: https://nvbt.vaktherapie.nl

There are five AT Bachelor courses spread over the country. All are state recognized. Two are organized in a Health Care department, Two are organized in a Social Work department and one is in an Anthroposofic Health Care department.
There are 5 fulltime variations (240 ECTS) (NHL Stenden University Leeuwarden, HAN University Nijmegen, HU University Amersfoort, Zuyd University Heerlen and Hogeschool Leiden). Two parttime  courses (NHL Stenden and HU).
One Master (after BA AT) (60 ECTS).

The profession is not state recognized. To protect the quality of the profession there is a professional registration system with requirements.

Schools, Psychiatric institutions for adults, youth and children,  Forensic (Youth) psychiatry, psychology practices, private art therapy practices.

Research is part of the BA courses: research in art, self-reflection and analytical research. This is integrated in each year of the five courses. The final assessements are: a research about AT methodology, a research into art and a integrative research thesis.
Research is also an important part of the MA.
There is a national research centre: KenVaK (www.KenVaK.nl) that works with a national research agenda. All BA courses are member of the KenVaK Cooperation.
There is a national journal in Dutch. International scientific publications can be found on the (English) website from KenVaK: www.KenVaK.nl ​

Last update: February 2023