Potential Career Routes

Back in college I studied Psychology and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the subject. It really opened my mind up about the way people are. When I lost my mum I was signed up to counselling. It did help to go and talk to someone about my life without her, the changes at home and at school. However sometimes I felt the couldn't understand how I felt... how could they understand how I felt unless they'd been through it? Unless they never mentioned to me about their own losses, I was difficult to put into words how I felt to someone who had never experienced it. That made me consider myself as a support worker, someone for young children or adults to speak to about situations like my own. I didn't just lose a mum, I lost a lot of family, I gained a step family which was difficult and didn't enjoy school. Having that experience I feel I could benefit in this area and be able to help someone like myself because I have been through it. 

Even though I am unsure about my career path I have ideas. But also I would like to keep creative side with me in my career. I looked into being a support worker and found the job of an art therapist. "A professional art therapist works in the mental health field. They are dedicated to helping both adults and children of all ages with their mental, physical and emotional health by incorporating art making into the patient's counselling sessions." An art therpapist needs to be certified by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. After a masters degree and completing post-graduate art therapy experience requirements, new therapists can then earn a credential to become a registered art therapist. As of qualifications you would need a first degree in art or any relevant subject. To practise as an art therapist you would need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council. But in order to register with them you must successfully complete an approved postgraduate qualification in art therapy. 

An art therapist would be working in hospitals and clinics, residential treatment centers, domestic violence and homeless shelters, community agencies and nonprofit settings and more. There job is to use the process of self-expression and artwork to help clients understand their emotional conflicts, develop social skills, improve self-esteem manage addictions, reduce anxiety, and restore normal function to their lives. "The skills that are required with an art therapist is excellent communication, listening and observational skills, creativity, intuition and imagination, the ability to handle sensitive and difficult issues, emotional strength and the ability to cope with challenging situations, empathy and the ability to gain client's trust."

All information was found from: Health careers - NHS

From my research I can see that I would need to have a masters degree. At the minute I don't feel ready to complete a masters degree. However it is something I could possibly go back to later on in the future.