Understanding art therapy graduate employability: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Understanding employability for art therapy graduates is crucial for training programs because it allows for tailored teaching approaches and better preparation for students entering the job market. Employability includes student attributes such as professional and discipline-specific skills and competencies, as well as contextual or structural factors that influence work abilities. However, there is little evidence on what contributes to employability in art therapy. This study surveyed placement supervisors to identify the strengths and challenges they perceive in student competencies and report on contextual factors impacting employability at their organisations. Thirty placement supervisors from various community and clinical settings completed a 26-item mixed-methods online survey. The findings highlighted the strengths of art therapy students, such as their use of client-centred approaches and engagement in reflective practice. However, the results also pointed to a greater need for work-life balance and knowledge of culturally safe practices. Limited budgets were found to affect employability prospects for recent graduates as well as the need for more advocacy efforts was emphasised to demonstrate the benefits of art therapy in healthcare settings. This paper offers several recommendations for teaching programs and art therapy professional bodies to improve employability outcomes for graduates.