What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of therapeutic treatment in which patients use visual art to address mental health problems, better understand developmental conditions and even allow for early intervention. Art therapy is often used to help people better express their emotions, expand their creativity, build positive coping methods and enhance motor skills. They provide a much-needed and long-lasting therapy to individuals dealing with:
- Depression
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Muscle tension
- Eating disorders
- Fears and phobias
- Family or relationship problems
- High blood pressure
- Substance abuse
- Grief
- Dementia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Art therapists in Hornsby can join the following art therapy and counselling professional organisations:
- Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)
- Professional Association for Arts Therapy in Australia and New Zealand (ANZATA)
- Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP)
- Australian Community Counselling Association (ACCA)
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
Should you study art therapy?
Are you enthusiastic about using art to improve the quality of life and the emotional well-being of others?
If this is what you want to do with your life, becoming an art therapist may be the best fit for you! Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be creative or have a flair for art in order to practice as an art therapist. Instead, you'll need the following abilities and qualities, which is also what hiring managers search for when looking for art therapists:
- High levels of confidentiality: since the client will need to disclose highly sensitive personal and medical information.
- Strong listening skills: it's critical to have good emotional intelligence throughout the client session in order to more accurately assess their sensory, emotional, or physical state.
- Strong problem-solving skills: to interpret and evaluate the effectiveness of the ​​artistic and therapeutic interactions from the client's work in order to identify opportunities and potential problems.
- Client-centric approach: you will need to prioritise the health and welfare of your clients.
- Quick learner: with a sound knowledge of different art tools in addition to a passion for continual learning in order to gain a better understanding of human behaviour.
Continue reading to learn more about the art therapy educational programs available in Hornsby, NSW if this matches your professional goals and interpersonal abilities.
What are the course and study options for art therapists in Hornsby?
In Hornsby, a Master's degree is the bare minimum educational requirement for potential art therapists. Initially, you must pursue an undergraduate degree in counselling, psychology, social science or another related discipline. After that, you'll need to get a Master in Art Therapy. There are several different course providers in Hornsby that can assist you in choosing the most appropriate learning methods for your schedule and preferred learning styles such as on-campus, online or blended learning systems.
You'll acquire from experienced practitioners with years of expertise in both teaching and practice in their fields. The following are some examples of art therapy units that you will get to explore during your studies:
- Theory
- History
- Mental health
- Art therapy techniques
- Creative exploration in art
- Communicating with clients
Furthermore, you'll need to complete 750 clinical hours with a properly certified art therapist while pursuing your Master's degree.
Do you want to learn more about becoming the next art therapist in Hornsby but aren't sure where to begin?
Here you will discover a whole lot more regarding the courses of study that may help you realise your goal of becoming an art therapist in Hornsby. Once you've decided on a few options, contact each one of them directly and ask any more questions about their program, which will help narrow down your options, and pick the school best suited to your current needs and future career goals. Some of the things you should enquire about before enrolling include:
- Curriculum
- Delivery structure
- Assessment tasks
- Tuition fees
- Entry requirements
- Graduate support
What happens after you complete your art therapy course in Hornsby?
As an art therapy student, you will be eligible to join the Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA). Maintaining your status as an art therapist in Hornsby requires you to meet the yearly requirements of the Continuing Professional Education. As an art therapist with professional credentials, you may find employment in a variety of workplaces:
- Assisted living facilities
- Psychiatric wards
- Crisis centres
- Hospitals
- Domestic violence shelters
- Mental health agencies
- Clinical research facilities
- Schools
- Aged care facilities
Also, you should consider establishing your own business specialising in art therapy if you want greater control over your business management and how you run your art therapy sessions. This is an excellent choice for art therapists who feel competent and capable of interacting with their clients. Natural Therapy Pages will be there to help you with the exciting yet difficult process of founding your own private practice. All you have to do is register to list your in-person art therapy consultation or online sessions via the website. This is a fantastic technique to increase the traffic of your services and even grow your client base.
