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Art Therapist, Dance-Movement Therapist, Drama Therapist, Expressive Arts Therapist, Music Therapist, Play Therapist, Counsellor
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Creative arts therapists use creative media and approaches to:
Creative arts therapists provide a safe and inclusive setting for people who may have trouble expressing themselves because of physical, emotional, or other barriers. Creative arts therapists use creative processes to improve clients’ awareness and promote inner change and growth. They may use visual art, dance, drama, music, or a combination of the arts. Many children, in particular, find it easier to share their feelings by creating art than by expressing themselves verbally.
For each client or client group, therapists:
Whether as members of interdisciplinary teams or individuals in private practice, creative arts therapists work collaboratively with other professionals. These include, but are not limited to, psychiatrists, psychologists, teachers, nurses, speech-language pathologists, counsellors, and allied health professionals.
Creative arts therapists’ hours of work can vary, with some working standard office hours and others working evenings or weekends. They work in hospitals, schools, continuing care homes, community agencies, and prisons. They may also work in private practice.
All therapies require clients to feel safe, and to give consent. Creative arts therapists consistently assess the therapeutic environment for safety risks and modify their space according to each client’s unique needs. For example, arts therapists may monitor the use of specific art supplies, such as sharp tools or scissors.
Music therapists may be required to lift and carry instruments and other equipment. In some cases, they may be responsible for transporting clients to and from the therapeutic program within a facility.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in mentoring patients by providing treatment and advising them on how to deal with their mental and physical abilities; and in consulting with other health care professionals to evaluate treatment plans
Interest in co-ordinating, initiating, designing and implementing specialized therapy programs for the general patient population and in the community; may conduct research in respective field of specialization
Interest in operating - manipulating equipment and following procedures to implement treatment plans by carrying out specialized therapy sessions employing techniques such as art, athletic, dance, music or recreational therapy or remedial gymnastics; and in observing and analyzing patients during treatment sessions
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Creative arts therapists need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 62 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 03, 2021 and Dec 03, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 35 |
|---|---|
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 35 |
| Long term benefits: Other benefits | 30 |
| Long term benefits: Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) | 30 |
| Long term benefits: Life insurance | 29 |
| Interview patients and review reports from health care professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning levels | 26 |
| Tasks: Prepare a treatment plan for each patient | 26 |
| Tasks: Initiate, design and implement specialized therapy programs | 26 |
| Tasks: Implement treatment plans | 26 |
| Tasks: Observe and analyze patients during treatment sessions | 26 |
Creative arts therapists typically need graduate level or equivalent specialized training in art, drama, music, play, or expressive arts. A graduate diploma in art therapy allows one to practice as a professional art therapist.
Admission to master’s degree or post-graduate diploma programs generally requires a 4-year undergraduate degree with courses in psychology and a related discipline, and a background involving art, dance, music, or drama. Many schools offer online or distance programs.
Music therapists must have competency in their primary instrument, as well as functional and flexible piano, guitar, and vocal skills. Art therapists must have competency in a range of 2D and 3D art materials.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Outside of Alberta, art and expressive art therapy programs are offered by the:
Concordia University in Montreal offers a master’s program for drama therapy.
The National Centre for Dance Therapy in Montreal offers a training option in dance movement therapy.
For more information on training programs for art therapy, visit the Canadian Art Therapy Association website.
Programs in music therapy are offered by:
For more information on training programs for music therapy, visit the Canadian Association of Music Therapists website.
Regulation for creative arts therapists is specific and subject to individual provincial regulation standards and varies across Canada. However, based on their training and specialty focus, most creative arts therapists belong to a professional association. Both music and art therapy are in the process of becoming regulated in Alberta. However, voluntary certifications may be available.
Depending upon the province, certified music therapists may qualify to belong to provincial regulatory colleges that oversee the practice of counselling or psychotherapy, including in Alberta.
Certification by the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) requires graduation from a CATA-approved program that meets the education standards of CATA-ACAT. They abide by the CATA-ACAT standards of practice, which consist of:
Certification by the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapies Association (OEATA) can be obtained through membership, which is open to trained creative arts therapists who have had some training in EXAT (expressive arts therapies—trauma informed)
Certification by the Canadian Dance Movement Therapy Association (DMTAC) is being developed.
Certification by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) requires:
Certification by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) requires:
Certification by the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT) requires music therapists to:
Art therapists in Canada may complete additional certifications through the US-based Art Therapy Credentials Board.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Creative arts therapists may work in:
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
2016 NOC: 3144
84.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Incomes for creative arts therapists vary depending on whether the individual is working in private practice or within the education or health systems. Incomes generally compare well with other mental health professionals who have similar qualifications, like psychologists and social workers.
Many creative arts therapists work as private contractors and typically include factors such as travel time, materials, practitioner experience, and documentation time in their fee.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.50 | $37.85 | $30.64 | $35.81 |
| Overall | $19.50 | $49.80 | $37.38 | $43.13 |
| Top | $20.91 | $50.33 | $40.81 | $47.67 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $64,143 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $63,833 |
| Public Administration | $73,071 |
American Art Therapy Association (AATA) website: arttherapy.org
American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) website: www.adta.org
Association des Art-Therapeutes du Quebec (AATQ) website: aatq.org
British Columbia Art Therapy Association (BCATA) website: bcarttherapy.com
Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) website: www.canadianarttherapy.org
Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT) website: www.musictherapy.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca
Music Therapy Association for Alberta (MTAA) website: www.mtaa.ca
North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) website: www.nadta.org
Ontario Art Therapy Association (OATA) website: oata.ca
Ontario Expressive Arts Therapies Association (OEATA) website: oeata.ca
International Expressive Arts Therapies Association (IEATA) website: www.ieata.org
International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA) website: ismeta.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
