Sessional Art Therapist / Art Psychotherapist

About Stepping Stones North Wales

Stepping Stones North Wales is a specialized charity dedicated to providing free trauma-informed counselling and therapeutic support to adults who survived childhood sexual abuse across North Wales. We uphold a trauma-informed, survivor-centered philosophy, fostering safe, inclusive, and empowering environments, emphasizing compassion, integrity, equality, and social justice. Services are provided in both Welsh and English.

Role Purpose

The Art Therapist / Art Psychotherapist will deliver expert trauma-informed art psychotherapy to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse through individual and group sessions. As a member of the therapeutic team, the role involves creating compassionate therapeutic environments where clients can process their experiences via creative expression to promote healing and emotional well-being.

Key Duties

• Perform clinical assessments to evaluate suitability for art therapy.
• Provide individual and group art therapy to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
• Track and review client progress, completing required outcome measures.
• Maintain precise, confidential clinical records following HCPC standards and organizational policies.
• Collaborate with clients to foster empowerment, autonomy, and informed choices throughout therapy.
• Address safeguarding concerns and clinical risks in alignment with organizational policies.

Trauma-Informed Clinical Practice

• Apply trauma-informed, survivor-focused principles ensuring safety, trust, collaboration, choice, and empowerment.
• Customize therapeutic approaches to accommodate diverse client backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Apply clinical knowledge of childhood sexual abuse, developmental trauma, complex PTSD, dissociation, and attachment.
• Promote inclusivity, ethical standards, and anti-oppressive practice.

Professional Standards and Responsibilities

• Adhere to professional and ethical guidelines set by HCPC and British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).
• Engage in regular clinical supervision per HCPC and BAAT requirements.
• Attend team meetings and professional development activities.
• Comply with the charity's clinical governance, safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance, and data protection protocols.
• Maintain CPD aligned with HCPC standards and contribute to service evaluation and improvement.
• Coordinate collaboratively with colleagues, referrers, and external professionals for integrated care.

Candidate Profile

• Essential Qualifications: Master's degree or recognized postgraduate qualification in Art Psychotherapy / Art Therapy.
• Current registration with HCPC as an Art Therapist / Art Psychotherapist.
• Documented ongoing Continuing Professional Development.
• Experience delivering art therapy to adults impacted by trauma, abuse, or complex emotional issues.
• Proven ability in facilitating therapeutic groups and conducting clinical assessments, risk management, and safeguarding.
• Competence in maintaining thorough clinical documentation and outcome evaluations.
• Strong ability to work independently and collaboratively within a therapeutic team.
• In-depth knowledge of trauma, complex PTSD, dissociation, attachment, and survivor-centered practice.
• Excellent therapeutic communication and group facilitation skills.
• Capacity to develop safe therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Sound clinical judgment along with organizational and IT skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusive and anti-oppressive approaches.
• Desirable attributes include experience with childhood sexual abuse survivors, additional trauma-focused training, knowledge of specialist survivor services, and involvement in service development.

Values and Behavioral Expectations

• Demonstrate compassion, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
• Respect survivor autonomy, lived experiences, and personal choice.
• Maintain professional integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, psychologically safe therapeutic practices.
• Promote trustworthiness, collaboration, and empowerment in all client relationships.
• Practice cultural humility, inclusiveness, and anti-discriminatory behaviors.
• Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development.

Safeguarding Commitment

This role involves working with adults affected by significant trauma, demanding a firm commitment to safeguarding and professional responsibility. The successful applicant must undergo an Enhanced DBS check and adhere strictly to all organizational policies related to safeguarding, confidentiality, and information governance.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate of £40.00.
• Financial contribution towards the cost of supervision.
• Access to continuous professional development opportunities.
• Supportive and collaborative therapeutic team environment.
• Opportunity to contribute to progressive, survivor-centered therapeutic services.