Arts Therapists
What arts therapists do, how they are registered in the UK, how to check a registration, and NHS and private routes. General information only, not personal advice.
What Arts Therapists Do
Art Therapists (also called Art Psychotherapists), Dramatherapists and Music Therapists
Arts Therapists are psychological therapists who use art-making, drama or live music as the main way of communicating, alongside talking. You do not need any skill in art, drama or music — the point is expression and relationship, not a finished product. Art therapy can help when experiences are hard to put into words. Dramatherapy draws on the healing parts of drama and theatre — play, role and story — to build creativity, insight and growth. Music therapy uses live, often improvised, music-making between you and the therapist, which can help when speaking is difficult because of illness, injury or disability. They work with people of all ages, individually or in groups, in the NHS, schools, community services and independent practice.
Registration and Titles
Protected titles: Art Therapist, Art Psychotherapist, Dramatherapist, Music Therapist — all must be on the Health and Care Professions Council register.
How to Check a Registration
Search by surname or registration number and check the entry says Arts Therapist, with the right modality (art, drama or music) and no current conditions on practice.
Our guide on how to check a register explains what to look for. Every practitioner on Therapist Circle shows their register and number on their profile so you can check it yourself.
NHS and Other Routes
Within the NHS, arts therapists mostly work in adult mental health services, child and adolescent mental health services, learning disability services, hospitals and hospices. Access is usually through a referral from your GP or from a team already supporting you, rather than by self-referral. Some charities, schools and hospices also offer arts therapies.
See finding NHS support and free and low-cost therapy for more routes.
Private Sessions and Fees
Private fees vary by area, experience, session length and setting, so ask each practitioner for their fee, cancellation terms and any reduced-fee places before booking. Our guide to fees, private practice and NHS routes explains what to ask.
Questions to Ask Before You Start
- Which register are you on, and what is your registration number?
- What experience do you have with the kind of difficulty I have?
- How long are sessions, how often, and what do they cost?
- Do you offer online, phone or in-person sessions?
Find Arts Therapists
Other Professions
Informed by: British Association of Art Therapists · British Association of Dramatherapists · British Association for Music Therapy. Not affiliated with any professional body. If you need urgent help, call NHS 111, Samaritans free on 116 123, or 999 if life is at risk.