An Introduction to Art Therapy Supervision

You will have opportunities to gain an in-depth understanding of a wide range of relevant theoretical models of supervision. Additionally, you will engage in supervising art therapists or art therapy trainees; in support of which you will participate in group supervision.

Studio-based reflective practice offers opportunities to consider the role of art-making and images in practice and for reflection.

The syllabus includes:

• The history and development of supervision
• Models of supervision
• The supervisory frame
• Group dynamics in supervision
• Unconscious processes in supervision
• Working with the image in supervision
• Authority, power, and ethical issues in supervision
• Diversity and Inclusion issues in supervision
• Assessment in supervision
• The context of supervision (including supervision in the public and private sectors)
• Endings in supervision
• Inter-professional working in supervision

Throughout you will be encouraged to integrate theory and practice in order to enable your development of critical thinking and critical reflection on practice.

On completion of the module, you will hopefully be able to employ skills to conduct advanced technical and specialised activity. You will have had opportunities to understand and take personal accountability for related decision making in supervision and to demonstrate a deep understanding of theory and practice. It is hoped that you will then be able to:

• Effectively manage a small supervision case load
• Critically reflect at depth upon supervisory practice for art therapy
• Critically evaluate relevant theories that underpin supervisory technique

Who this course is for

This course is for qualified art therapists, psychotherapists, counsellors and mental health professionals who are, or intend to be, actively involved in the clinical supervision of qualified art therapists or art therapists in training.

Course team

Module Leader Kirsty McTaggart is a qualified Art Psychotherapist who has worked in a variety of settings with children and adults in education, the voluntary sector and mental health services.  She is currently the Programme Leader on the MA Art Therapy offered by the University of Derby.

How you will learn

Contact sessions include lectures, seminars, workshops and small group supervision of students’ supervision practice. 

The remainder of the learning hours involves time spent providing supervision; self-assessment and reflection; and engaging in self-directed learning.

• A minimum of 30 hours overall contact time
• Teaching on a wide range of relevant theoretical models of supervision (approximately 10 hours)
• Supervision of supervisory practice (approximately 10 hours)
• Studio based reflective practice (approximately 10 hours)
• Self-assessment.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed via participation in the supervision of a supervision group, submission of a reflective log and a brief report relating to your supervision practice.

• Effectively manage a small supervision case load
• Critically reflect at depth upon supervisory practice for art therapy
• Critically evaluate relevant theories that underpin supervisory technique.On successful completion of the course you will have gained a Certificate of Attendance and also 20 credits at Level 7. Your credits can count towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Art Therapy Supervision should you wish to continue your studies.

On successful completion of the course you will have gained a Certificate of Attendance and also 20 credits at Level 7. Your credits can count towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Art Therapy Supervision which is in the process of development should you wish to continue your studies in the future.

• Ideally applicants will have a minimum of three years post qualification clinical experience and hold current professional registration or accreditation with HCPC, UKCP, BACP or similar
• A suitable reference will be required either from your current Clinical Supervisor or employer
• All applicants will be required to provide clinical supervision to less experienced art therapist colleagues or art therapy trainees for the duration of the module
• Places upon the course are allocated upon a first come first served basis

If you are funding your own study, the module price will be confirmed shortly.

Level 7

LBR applications

• If you are applying for an LBR funded place, please Apply directly to the University.
• Find out more about LBR and whether you are eligible for an LBR course

Apply directly to the University

Self-funded applications

• If you are financing your study yourself, please contact Admissions on 01332 591167 or email askadmissions@derby.ac.uk to secure your place

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Additional information about your studies

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

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