Art Therapist Resume Example
Working as an art therapist can provide a rewarding career, involving facilitating therapeutic sessions and developing individualized plans. If you want to stand out with your art therapist applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll discuss how to create an art therapist resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your art therapist applications. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Continue reading to find the best art therapist resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in an art therapist resume
Although the content of an art therapist resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same. If you're lacking relevant work experience, you might choose to add sections that showcase your skill set earlier than in a traditional resume layout. These sections might include projects, education, hobbies and interests, skills and other optional sections.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header and Personal Information
A art therapist resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Amelia Moore
amelia.moore@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA
linkedin․com/in/amelia–moore123
Resume Profile
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for art therapist roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as an art therapist.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your art therapist resume summary.
Dedicated and compassionate Art Therapist with a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and extensive experience as a Licensed Art Therapist. Proven ability to utilize creative processes to support emotional, psychological, and social well-being of diverse client populations. Skilled in facilitating individual and group therapy sessions, conducting assessments, and developing personalized treatment plans. Committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore and express their inner experiences through art
Art therapist with some background in art therapy and experience in helping people through creative activities. Worked with different clients to support their emotional and social needs. Have run therapy sessions and made plans for individuals and groups. Focused on creating a space where clients can use art to express themselves
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Hard and Soft Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for art therapist jobs. These could be artistic media proficiency, creative problem solving or various other relevant skills. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key art therapist skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
How to list hard skills on your art therapist resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as an art therapist. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in an art therapist resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective art therapist resume hard skills list looks like.
- Art therapy techniques
- Clinical assessment skills
- Psychotherapeutic methods
Listing soft skills on your art therapist resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for an art therapist resume, see below.
- Active listening skills
- Empathy and compassion
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Education
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as an art therapist.
If you're applying for art therapist positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your psychotherapeutic methods or clinical assessment skills.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Master of Arts in Art Therapy, 2017 - 2020
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Licenses and Certifications
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional art therapist certifications, licenses or qualifications. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for an art therapist resume:
- ATR-BC Certification, 2022
- LPC Licensure, 2022
- NCC Credential, 2022
Work History
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of an art therapist. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Licensed Art Therapist, January 2022 - Present
Creative Healing Studio, Madison
- Successfully implemented art therapy programs in three schools, enhancing emotional resilience and self-expression among students
- Conducted workshops and training sessions for mental health professionals, promoting the integration of art therapy into traditional practices
- Published peer-reviewed research on the efficacy of art therapy in treating PTSD, contributing to the field's academic body of knowledge
Licensed Art Therapist, January 2022 - Present
Creative Healing Studio, Madison
- Improved student outcomes through innovative therapy methods in educational settings
- Facilitated professional development sessions for mental health practitioners
- Contributed to academic research in therapeutic practices
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Hear from experts:
Emphasize hands-on experience and relevant skills, such as customer service, teamwork, or problem-solving, to showcase your readiness for the role. (1) Use bullet points to organize your resume and keep it easy to read, especially for hiring managers scanning for key qualifications. (2)
Optional Information
As well as the main sections of an art therapist resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Hobbies
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world art therapist experience. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Volunteering
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for art therapist roles beyond your main employment history. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard art therapist resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
References will be available upon request.
Best action words for your art therapist resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Facilitated
- Guided
- Developed
- Assessed
- Implemented
- Supported
- Collaborated
- Encouraged
- Designed
- Evaluated
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example resume for art therapist applications
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your art therapist resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA
•
amelia.moore@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/amelia–moore123
Experienced Licensed Art Therapist with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, skilled in utilizing creative therapeutic techniques to support emotional and psychological well-being. Proven ability to work with diverse populations, develop individualized treatment plans, and facilitate group and individual therapy sessions. Strong background in integrating art therapy into mental health care to promote self-expression, healing, and personal growth.
Licensed Art Therapist
2020
-2022
Serenity Art Therapy Services (Spokane)
- Developed and implemented therapeutic art programs for diverse client populations, resulting in a 30% improvement in emotional well-being
- Conducted over 200 individual and group art therapy sessions, successfully addressing trauma, anxiety, and depression
- Published research in peer-reviewed journals on the efficacy of art therapy interventions in mental health treatment
Art therapy techniques
Clinical assessment skills
Psychotherapeutic methods
Active listening skills
Empathy and compassion
Emotional intelligence (EQ)
ATR-BC Certification
LPC Licensure
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for an art therapist resume
- Adapt your resume for every job application for maximum impact. Review the job description to understand the specific requirements for the role.
- Showcase your key skills throughout your resume, as well as in your dedicated skills list, with each skill reflecting the job description.
- Proofread your resume before sending it, to avoid any unnecessary mistakes that may harm your chances.
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Aim for a brief, concise art therapist resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your art therapist experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
- Don't mention hobbies or interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role, that you haven't included elsewhere.
- Don't use complex formatting that makes your art therapist resume harder to read or less scannable by software such as applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Don't use an email address that contains unprofessional content, and if necessary create a new, more professional email address.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When drafting your art therapist resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about an art therapist resume
Alongside your art therapist resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the art therapist job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
If you have plenty of experience as an art therapist, you'll want your resume to showcase your extensive career history and achievements. As an experienced candidate, your art therapist resume might include a work experience section that goes back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years. This will give you the chance to highlight your extensive experience and achievements. Consider adding any optional sections that show employers the impact you've made in your career to date. These include awards, successful projects or a dedicated achievements section.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your art therapist application, a resume headline can help. A well-constructed resume headline can help your resume rank highly with ATS screening tools by referencing some of the key information from the job description. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
See an example resume headline below:
- Emerging Art Therapist and Facilitator
- Healing Through Creative Expression Therapy
- Experienced Senior Art Therapy Specialist
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Key takeaways for your art therapist resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
