What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of mental health treatment that helps patients' have greater control over their minds, bodies, and spirits. Art therapists let their clients choose their own art supplies and give them the liberty to express themselves through their work. Art therapy sessions are beneficial since these practitioners assist people in developing their communication skills, self-expression and self-awareness. Art therapists are beneficial since they assist those who are going through the following psychological or mental health problems:
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Substance abuse
- Eating disorders
- Stress
- High blood pressure
- Family or relationship problems
- Depression
- Fears and phobias
- Muscle tension
- Dementia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
However, art therapists from Byron Bay may be a part of the following professional bodies in the field of art therapy and counselling:
- Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)
- Professional Association for Arts Therapy in Australia and New Zealand (ANZATA)
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP)
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Australian Community Counselling Association (ACCA)
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
Should you study art therapy?
Do you want to work in a field where you may assist people in recognising signs in their lives by means of art?
If this is what you desire to do with your life, you should consider becoming an art therapist! Contrary to popular opinion, you don't need to be creative or have a talent for art in order to work in this profession. Instead, employers are looking for the following skills and traits while recruiting art therapists:
- Excellent listening abilities: working with clients requires you to have the ability to better assess their sensory, emotional, and physical condition.
- Critical thinking skills: is required to interpret and assess information and visual cues from the client's work.
- Strong organisational skills: you'll need to balance numerous responsibilities with conflicting priorities while still delivering the best service possible to all of your clients.
- Client-centric and positive attitude: you'll be in charge of the client's health and well-being, so be empathetic and knowledgeable about your duty of care to the client.
If this is in line with your professional objectives and social abilities, continue reading to learn more about the courses available in Byron Bay, New South Wales.
What are the course and study options for art therapists in Byron Bay?
In Byron Bay, a Master's degree is required for individuals looking to work as art therapists. To begin, you must enrol in an undergraduate degree program, majoring in counselling, psychology, social science, or a similar discipline. After that, you'll need to complete a postgraduate art therapy expert degree. There are several different course providers in Byron Bay that provide a variety of delivery methods to help you get the most out of your education like on-campus, online or blended learning systems.
You will learn from industry experts with years of expertise in both teaching and operating in their fields throughout your academic life. The following are some examples of art therapy courses:
- Theory
- History
- Art therapy techniques
- Creative exploration in art
Furthermore, you'll need to accumulate 750 hours of clinical experience while pursuing your Master's degree.
Are you interested in becoming the next art therapist in Byron Bay, but don't know where to begin?
At the top of this page, you'll discover more information regarding these course choices, which will help you achieve your goal of becoming an art therapist in Byron Bay. If you're still deciding which school to attend after looking at all of your options, consider contacting them personally if you have any additional questions regarding their offered course, such as:
- Entry requirements
- Tuition fees
- Delivery structure
- Curriculum
- Professional support programs
What happens after you complete your art therapy course in Byron Bay?
As an art therapy graduate, you will be eligible to join the Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA). You'll also need to fulfil the yearly criteria for art therapy in Byron Bay to keep practising through the Continuing Professional Education. You could work in a wide range of settings, such as:
- Psychiatric wards
- Crisis centres
- Domestic violence shelters
- Clinical research facilities
- Mental health agencies
- Aged care facilities
- Schools
- Assisted living facilities
If you want to have more power and control over the way you conduct your art therapy sessions, consider starting your own private practice that specialises in art therapy. At Natural Therapy Page, we'll be there for you every step of the way as you begin this exciting yet difficult process. All you have to do is register either your face-to-face art therapy services or online sessions via the practitioner listing page. This is a fantastic approach to growing your client list.
