What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a type of mental health treatment that allows clients to gain more control over their minds, bodies, and spirits. Art therapists allow their clients to select their own art materials and give them the freedom to create works that represent their ideas and emotions. Art therapy sessions help individuals develop their communication abilities, self-expression, and self-awareness, all of which contribute to their personal development. Art therapists provide a useful service since they help people who are going through the following psychological or mental health issues:
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Substance abuse
- Depression
- Dementia
- Eating disorders
- Stress
- Fears and phobias
- Muscle tension
- High blood pressure
- Family or relationship problems
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Art therapists from Sunbury, however, may participate in the following art therapy and counselling professional industry bodies:
- Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)
- Professional Association for Arts Therapy in Australia and New Zealand (ANZATA)
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP)
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Australian Community Counselling Association (ACCA)
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
Should you study art therapy?
Do you wish to work in a field where you may help individuals find significance in their life events through the use of art?
If this is what you want to do with your life, you should consider a career as an art therapist! Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be creative or have a flair for art to work in this field. Instead, you'll need the following abilities and qualities, which hiring managers look for when hiring art therapists:
- Strong listening skills: it is important to have good emotional intelligence throughout the session when working with a client in order to be able to better assess their sensory, emotional, or physical condition.
- Good critical thinking: the ability to interpret and evaluate information and visual cues from the client's work is essential.
- Strong organisational skills: as you'll need to balance numerous duties with conflicting priorities while still providing the greatest possible service to all of your clients.
- Caring attitude: you will be in charge of the client's health and well-being, so showing empathy and having a thorough knowledge of your duty of care towards the client.
If this is in line with your career goals and interpersonal skills, read on to learn more about the courses available in Sunbury, VIC.
What are the course and study options for art therapists in Sunbury?
In Sunbury, the required minimum education level for aspiring art therapists is a Master's degree. To begin, you must enrol in an undergraduate degree program majoring in counselling, psychology, social science, or another linked field. After that, you'll need to finish a postgraduate art therapy specialist degree. There are many different course providers in Sunbury that provide a range of delivery options to match your desired learning pace such as on-campus, online or blended learning systems.
Throughout your educational career, you will be taught by industry professionals with years of expertise in both teaching and operating in their fields. Some of the art therapy units include but are not limited to:
- Theory
- History
- Art therapy techniques
- Creative exploration in art
Furthermore, you'll need to complete 750 hours of clinical experience while earning your Master's degree.
Are you ready to become the next art therapist in Sunbury, but don't know where to start?
At the top of this page, you'll find more information about these course choices, which will assist you in achieving your goal of becoming an art therapist in Sunbury. Once you shortlist your preferred course options, you can reach out to them personally if you have any additional enquiries about their:
- Entry requirements
- Tuition fees
- Delivery structure
- Curriculum
- Professional support programs
What happens after you complete your art therapy course in Sunbury?
You will be eligible to join the Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) as an art therapy graduate. To continue practising as an art therapist in Sunbury, you'll also need to fulfil the yearly criteria of the Continuing Professional Education. You may work in a variety of places, such as:
- Psychiatric wards
- Mental health agencies
- Clinical research facilities
- Schools
- Aged care facilities
- Crisis centres
- Domestic violence shelters
- Assisted living facilities
If you want to gain more control and a greater say in the way you run your art therapy sessions, consider establishing your own business specialising in art therapy. Natural Therapy Pages will be there to help you throughout the exciting yet difficult process of starting your own private practice. All you have to do is register to list your face-to-face art therapy services or online sessions via the practitioner listing page. This is an excellent method to get more visitors to your services and even develop your customer base.
