Allied Health Professions (AHPs) – Professionals Section

• We provide a different approach for people who may struggle to access or make use of talking therapies.
• It is a form of psychotherapy to help people who have been affected by injury, illness, disability and/or trauma, to communicate and understand difficult feelings. It can help to support their psychological, emotional, relational, cognitive and social difficulties.
• Arts therapies are delivered by appropriately trained and qualified staff (see useful resources at end of page).

We are a small profession and access is limited at present. Referrals would need to meet the criteria of those services. We are continually working on ways to expand the service.

• You may be offered an individual or group treatment, depending on your needs.
• Arts therapies are provided either virtually or in person. You will first meet your art psychotherapist to assess the problem and agree a plan for treatment. Together you will decide a suitable time and place for working together.
• Sessions are confidential and held in a private room where you will have access to a range of art materials and resources.
• Virtual sessions are held in an online meeting room using Near Me and for some people is a beneficial way to engage in their therapy.
• You will work in collaboration with your therapist to identify what matters most to you to agree goals in therapy, regularly reviewing progress, agreeing timescales and planning your next steps (Realistic Medicine | NHS inform).
• You may be offered appointments with a trainee Arts Therapists if this is right for you. We are happy to provide practice placements for the Msc Trainees from Queen Margaret University. All trainees will be supervised throughout their placements.

Do I need to be good at art to take part?

• You do not need to have any previous experience or expertise in art to benefit from Art Psychotherapy. The aim is to express, explore and manage what you’re feeling. This is a confidential process of art making. It is not about producing skilful art. Instead it is the relationship with the therapist aided by a process of creating art that can be of benefit. Arts Therapists will always use the best evidence and encourage you to work at a level comfortable for you, where you feel more able to express yourself and work towards achieving improved outcomes in your therapy.

How often will sessions take place?

• Generally sessions take place on a weekly basis however this will be agreed with your therapist depending on what is right for you.

How are Arts Therapies (Art, Music, Drama) regulated?

• In the UK, the title of Art therapist and Art psychotherapist are protected by law. All UK Art therapists must be registered with the HCPC. All registered Arts Therapists (Art, Music, Drama) can be found on the HCPC register.
• Arts Therapists will follow robust allied health professional governance protocols and adherence to policies and guidance within NHSGGC.

For more information please email:

Tracy MacMillan
Art Psychotherapist and Professional Lead for Arts Therapies
Art Psychotherapist
Specialist Mental Health Services
The Glasgow Psychological Trauma Service

Email address: GlasgowPsychological.TraumaService@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Useful Resources

• British Association of Arts Therapists
• British Association for Music Therapy
• British Association of Dramatherapists
• Health and Care Professional Council

Radiotherapy is the use of radiation, usually x-rays, to treat cancer. Radiotherapy can be used to try to cure cancer, reduce the chance of cancer coming back or to help relieve symptoms. It is normally given in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery.

Radiographers are regulated professionals with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They are entitled to hold one of the protected titles Radiographer, Diagnostic Radiographer or Therapeutic Radiographer. Radiographers undertake a broad portfolio of either diagnostic examinations or radiotherapy procedures. They work in partnership with team members, patients and carers to deliver care that may include screening, diagnosis, treatment or health monitoring for patients.

To register, radiographers must hold a relevant BSc (Hons) or MSc qualification. To maintain registration with the HCPC Radiographers must undertake and keep a record of their continued professional development. In addition to HCPC standards, radiographers work to the standards of the Society of Radiographers code of professional conduct. The code includes expectations that radiographers act in accordance with values of respect, empowerment, empathy, trustworthiness, integrity and justice. Radiographers must always act with compassion: caring for patients is at the heart of what radiographers do.

Therapeutic radiographers are responsible for the planning and delivery of accurate radiotherapy treatments using a wide range of technical equipment. Accuracy is critical, for example, the aim of treatment may be to treat a tumour and destroy diseased tissue while minimising the amount of radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Together both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography professionals provide essential services every year to millions of people.

Radiographers follow career paths according to a combination of their personal interests and the needs of healthcare services and patients. Promotion opportunities are excellent, with a grading structure that sees the radiographer’s salary increase as they move along the career pathway. British radiographers are recognised as receiving excellent training with innovative career paths.

Therapeutic Radiographers are able to initiate resolution of problems and be able to exercise personal initiative

Therapeutic Radiographers recognise that they are personally responsible for and must be able to justify their decisions

They are able to make and receive appropriate referrals

They understand the importance of participation in training, supervision and mentoring

Therapeutic Radiographers are able to assess a professional situation, determine the nature and severity of the problem and call upon the required knowledge and experience to deal with the problem

They are also able to make reasoned decisions to initiate, continue, modify or cease radiotherapy treatment or diagnostic imaging examinations and record the decisions and reasoning appropriately