Art therapy is currently a self-regulated field in Canada. However, to be able to be a Professional or Registered member of CATA, you must have graduated from an art therapy program that meets CATA’s education standards. These are listed on our Art Therapy Training page. If the professional art therapy association of a particular country recognizes the program, CATA honours that program as meeting CATA education standards. As an example, if you took your training in the US, the professional association in the US is the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). They have a listing on their website of all the schools with programs that they have approved. Same in the UK and other countries. If you are concerned whether the program you wish to take will allow you eligibility to be a Professional or Registered member of CATA in the future, and that country does not have a governing association, then you can direct your question to our Education Director at education@canadianarttherapy.org.

In Canada, an undergraduate degree in fine arts, psychology, social work or counselling is required before entering one of the art therapy programs. If the undergraduate degree is in another area, a prior learning assessment can be recognized to determine appropriate equivalency. It is recommended to have art and psychology courses.  These programs include post-graduate diplomas, graduate diplomas and Master’s degree programs. For more information, visit Becoming an Art Therapist.