Dear CATA-ACAT Members,

On behalf of the Registered Canadian Art Therapy (RCAT) committee, I would like to inform you of the changes to the RCAT requirements for designation with CATA-ACAT. Over the last year we have been working to make the RCAT designation requirements more intentional and the application process smoother. Starting on March 5, 2022, the new application will be available for submission on the next regularly scheduled deadline April 30, 2022. 

The new link to the updated webpage, application forms and frequently asked questions can be found here: https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/rcat

The new application will be fully online. Applicants can start, save, edit, and update the progress of their application form, over the period of time that they take to complete their application and meet the requirements. In addition, the reference letters will also be PDF forms submitted directly from the referees to the registrar for approval. 

As for the requirements themselves, there are no changes to the total number of direct client hours (1000 hours) and supervision hours (50 hours) post graduation. The change to the supervision types of hours is as follows: 

• Individual supervision minimum 20 hours 

• Group supervision minimum of 10 hours 

• 20 hours can be a combination of group or individual. 

Forty of these hours must be provided by a RCAT or equivalent (*see below). 10 hours (group or individual supervision) can be provided by a non-RCAT, regulated mental health professional who meet their regulatory body's supervision requirements. CATA-ACAT recognizes that the landscape of art therapy has shifted and more art therapists find themselves in workplaces with supervision provided by regulated mental health professions who are not registered art therapists. Diverse supervision is essential in providing care to clients and therefore CATA-ACAT would like to acknowledge diverse supervision hours. If the applicant does not receive supervision from other health professionals, all 50 supervision hours can be accumulated with an RCAT through individual or group supervision.

In summary:

Individual (RCAT): Minimum 20 hours

Group Supervision (RCAT): Minimum 10 hours

Combination of Individual or Group Supervision (RCAT): Minimum 30 hours

Optional Regulated Mental Health Professional counted in the Additional Hours (non-RCAT): Maximum 10 hours

*Equivalent credentials are as follows in the registered categories: British Columbia Art Therapy Association, the Ontario Art Therapy Association, the Art Therapy Credentials Board, British Association of Art Therapists or Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association.  

In addition, all applicants need to provide documentation of five professional development activities completed in the last three years. These activities must directly pertain to their art therapy practice. A short statement of the use of these activities in one’s practice will be required. The activities can include but are not limited to: attending or presenting a conference session or webinar, taking a course, writing and publishing, being a part of committees.  

For those working in private practice, a reference letter will be needed from someone in their professional community who can attest to the applicant's work as an art therapist in their community.

I would like to formally thank all those who have supported this endeavor of change to the RCAT application process, your support is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Marie Muggeridge BFA, MPS-AT, CCC, RCAT
CATA Registrar and Registration Committee Chair
registration@canadianarttherapy.org