Supervisor Qualifications

Qualifications for supervisors are similar to those expected by the CCPA or CATA. This is to ensure that when students apply to these associations post-graduation, they will meet the practicum requirements for registration.

Note: Some regulatory colleges will be require Clinical Supervisors to be able to demonstrate clinical supervision training. 

Supervisors must have the following qualifications:

1. Has a clinical Master’s Degree (Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, or Creative Arts Therapies). If the Clinical Supervisor holds a Masters of Education or a Masters of Nursing Degree, they will need to have completed training specific to counselling psychotherapy. 

2. Has at least 5 years of post-graduate clinical experience. 

3. Is registered with a professional body with a code of ethics and a complaints process. 

Art Therapy Supervisors

In addition to these requirements, art therapy students should also seek out an individual with a professional art therapy registration. This could be an individual who holds an RCAT, ATR, BCATA or an equivalent registration. 

In the event that an on-site Clinical Supervisor with art therapy credentials cannot be secured, the student will need to contract an off-site Clinical Supervisor to meet the Canadian Art Therapy Association’s (CATA) supervision requirements.