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Original poster

Career change at 42...art therapy or something else?

26 replies

Chchchangess · 30/01/2023 16:55

I'm a 42 year old woman who has worked in administration since leaving university in 2005 with a 2.2 in English Studies.

I am sick of my work and want a change in direction and career.

I love painting (watercolour and acrylic mainly) and making models and jewellery out of polymer clay. I also work using resin. I have made a small amount of money doing this type of thing on the side but it's not something I'd want to do full time or rely on for money.

I am also very interested in counselling, particularly for domestic abuse survivors, and have volunteered in women's aid for a time, doing receptionist work and completing some of their training.

I would love to marry together my two in interests by becoming an art therapist. I know tha to qualify I will need a Masters in Art Therapy. To get onto the course I would need a BA in fine art or an equivalent. Would my BA in English Studies suffice?

I have also applied to women's aid to volunteer as a play worker so that I can get a year of work experience with vulnerable people before I apply for the course.

But is this enough? The course is 2 years and I'm doubting myself because of my age, starting off in a completely new area in my mid 40s is a bit daunting.

But if not art therapy...then what?

I'm really quite overwhelmed but I am really determined to change my career l, as admin makes me so miserable.

Any advice, words of encouragement, similar stories ... Whatever... Would be very much appreciated.

OP posts:
Any1Else · 30/01/2023 17:16

You might find the Mature Study and Retraining board worth browsing:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Plenty of people start out on something new in middle age, or older.

coffeeisthebest · 30/01/2023 17:26

Do it. You sound like it's something you are passionate about and you know first hand the benefits of art as a therapy. Why not, life is short. Go for it!

PermanentTemporary · 30/01/2023 17:33

I really hope you do this. I think your existing degree gives a starting point fir the MA in theory at least. I'd go to an open day for the masters course and talk to the tutors.

I'm very keen on art therapy for people with language difficulties such as stroke survivors, for whom traditional talking therapy is really tough to access. I think it's plain crap that the NHS doesn't fund it in the community- sometimes in specialist rehab centres- but maybe one day they will. I know a couple of art therapists who work in palliative care too. I'd say art therapists do more for health than a lot of other HCPs.

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WomanFromTheNorth · 30/01/2023 17:45

It sounds perfect for you. 42 is not old at all - you could potentially be working for another 25 years. So even if it takes you 2 - 3 years years to qualify then you'll have 20 years to work. Also, it's the kind of work where you need life experience to be good at it.

WomanFromTheNorth · 30/01/2023 17:48

I think as a mature student with an English degree, if you took in a portfolio of your artwork you may be able to go directly onto the masters. Check with the university. If not, there may be other art therapy courses that aren't masters level.

Original poster
Chchchangess · 30/01/2023 17:51

Such positive replies! I wasn't expecting that so thank you for the vote of confidence ☺️

Great idea to attend an open day. I really need to be sure before I take the plunge.

Would need to think about finances, I wonder if you can do installments or take out a loan...it's been so long I can't remember how it works. I'd probably have to do part time so I can continue working...a lot to think about. I also have a 1 year old and a 10 year old but I have good family support so I feel confident (sort of) around that

OP posts:
Paturday · 30/01/2023 17:53

Ooh art therapy is something I’m looking into but I don’t even have a degree so probably not doable (degree plus masters) around 3 young kids. I dunno. But I hope you do it!! You could end up being an art therapist for 20+ years 😍

ihatethecold · 30/01/2023 17:55

Go for it.
I retrained as a counsellor and qualified 18 month ago at the age of 47.
took me 4 years and I did a diploma. I now have a successful private practice and I continue seeing clients for a place I did my placement at. Just by chance it was a creative/art therapy counselling charity/organisation. I absolutely love working creatively, it really brings a new dimension to the work . Feel free to ask any questions or Pm me

RandomersAssociation · 30/01/2023 17:55

Are you aware of Government Postgraduate Loans?

Anyone who already has a first degree is eligible - as are most postgraduate courses.

Original poster
Chchchangess · 30/01/2023 17:56

WomanFromTheNorth · 30/01/2023 17:48

I think as a mature student with an English degree, if you took in a portfolio of your artwork you may be able to go directly onto the masters. Check with the university. If not, there may be other art therapy courses that aren't masters level.

Interesting, I will definitely ask. I need to get my artwork into order too 😬

What I do know is that you can't be an art therapist without obtaining a masters in art therapy or art psychotherapy

OP posts:
Original poster
Chchchangess · 30/01/2023 18:14

RandomersAssociation · 30/01/2023 17:55

Are you aware of Government Postgraduate Loans?

Anyone who already has a first degree is eligible - as are most postgraduate courses.

No I wasn't aware...thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Chchchangess · 30/01/2023 18:17

ihatethecold · 30/01/2023 17:55

Go for it.
I retrained as a counsellor and qualified 18 month ago at the age of 47.
took me 4 years and I did a diploma. I now have a successful private practice and I continue seeing clients for a place I did my placement at. Just by chance it was a creative/art therapy counselling charity/organisation. I absolutely love working creatively, it really brings a new dimension to the work . Feel free to ask any questions or Pm me

I am sure I have a million questions for you, none of which I can think of right now but I wanted to say thank you and huge pat on the back for doing it and being so successful...you're an inspiration!

Oh maybe one question...are you based in London and if so can you give me some work experience 😉🤩

OP posts:
ihatethecold · 30/01/2023 19:04

Im not, I'm about an hour north. There are places to do your 100 hours though, especially if you do an art therapy masters. There are also lots of very helpful FB pages just for trainees and qualified counsellors/ therapists. Placements get discussed on there and opportunities as well as discussions and support with theory and coursework. Any questions or thoughts just fire away

IDontWantToBeAPie · 30/01/2023 19:07

You'll only know if you apply :)

IDontWantToBeAPie · 30/01/2023 19:09

Paturday · 30/01/2023 17:53

Ooh art therapy is something I’m looking into but I don’t even have a degree so probably not doable (degree plus masters) around 3 young kids. I dunno. But I hope you do it!! You could end up being an art therapist for 20+ years 😍

My step mum did a BA and MA over 6 years with two young kids in her 40s :)

Villagetoraiseachild · 30/01/2023 19:29

Hi Op, take a look at Tobias School of Art Therapy. You can do short courses there, which could be a good 'taster'.

Original poster
Chchchangess · 30/01/2023 20:47

PermanentTemporary · 30/01/2023 17:33

I really hope you do this. I think your existing degree gives a starting point fir the MA in theory at least. I'd go to an open day for the masters course and talk to the tutors.

I'm very keen on art therapy for people with language difficulties such as stroke survivors, for whom traditional talking therapy is really tough to access. I think it's plain crap that the NHS doesn't fund it in the community- sometimes in specialist rehab centres- but maybe one day they will. I know a couple of art therapists who work in palliative care too. I'd say art therapists do more for health than a lot of other HCPs.

This is really very interesting, I had never thought about art therapy for those with speech difficulties, I guess I am going into this very fresh and maybe a tad naïve but I am thirsty to learn

OP posts:
Original poster
Chchchangess · 31/01/2023 10:29

Can anyone tell me where best to look for doing my work experience? It said minimum of 1 year experience. I've emailed some local schools and also women's aid, but would it be better to get in touch with a qualified art therapist, and if so what work would I be doing with them, is it just like shadowing? Could I get paid work at all? I'm worried about the financial implications, volunteering for a year just isn't viable ...

Any help would be gratefully received X

OP posts:
RandomersAssociation · 31/01/2023 11:33

Surely the sensible thing to do would be to talk to a potential university and find out from them what you should do to put yourself in a strong position to apply?

Original poster
Chchchangess · 31/01/2023 16:01

RandomersAssociation · 31/01/2023 11:33

Surely the sensible thing to do would be to talk to a potential university and find out from them what you should do to put yourself in a strong position to apply?

I'll definitely do this of course, I was just thinking out loud, fancied a little online chat about it all, before I take it a step further. At 42 and a new mother, my confidence isn't exactly high and I guess I'm procrastinating a tad 😬

OP posts:
TortillaChipAddict · 31/01/2023 16:17

I’m not an artist but I am a musician working in health and community settings. I have considered several times doing a music therapy qualification however have decided not
to as there is very high competition for work and it is very difficult to make a full
time wage from it. I find the community based work I currently do fulfilling enough without feeling I need to be a music therapist. I would however like
to qualify as a psychotherapist/counsellor in the future but at the moment make
my money from community/health work, teaching my instrument and playing work. If you’d be willing to do bits of this and bits of that related to art and build it up over time it can be great as it’s a very flexible way of working and I find it much lower pressure than when I was in a more normal job. It takes a lot of drive and determination though and I have flopped more than I have succeeded - I’ve been doing this for over ten years now. Now I have young kids I don’t know if I could face starting all that at this stage of life, but fast forward ten years and maybe I would feel differently.

PacificallyRequested · 31/01/2023 16:24

I have a friend who's an art therapist. She enjoys the work and finds it really rewarding. But she doesn't do it full time, she tends to only work in set blocks e.g. if an organisation has the funds to run a course with their clients for say, ten weeks, they will bring her in to do it on a freelance basis. She also works 2 days a week in an admin role and has her own business selling her artwork. So it's maybe best to look at is as more of a "portfolio career" option alongside other things.

Original poster
Chchchangess · 01/02/2023 10:59

Thank you both.

I'd be happy with doing a couple of other things alongside art therapy. Selling my paintings / jewellery. Facepainting (i can get up to £80 per hour for this!) and admin if needed. A selection of jobs actually appeals to me, as long as I have one secure wage coming in.

I'm getting excited about this now. I plan to keep my current job for the next year and save money / volunteer to strengthen my application....then apply for the part time masters to enrol next September. In 4 years I will hopefully be a qualified art therapist 🤩

OP posts:
Original poster
Chchchangess · 01/02/2023 21:20

Sent a few emails out today, local art therapists. Asking if I can volunteer with them. Just realised I didn't send an art portfolio...gah!! Is this something I should be doing? I need to do a digital portfolio...anyone know the best way to do this? I've been researching and Canva keeps coming up...is this the best way?

OP posts:
ihatethecold · 07/02/2023 21:01

I would be very surprised if any art therapist allowed you to shadow them without you already being on an appropriate course and having a fit to practice.

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