What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses visual art to help patients with mental and emotional health problems gain more control over their lives. By using their creativity, art therapists help their clients express their thoughts and emotions that have been bottled up for too long. Art therapy can help with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, trauma, fears and phobias, high blood pressure, insomnia, and a whole host of other health issues.
Art therapists in Ocean Shores are eligible for membership in the following professional bodies that represent the art therapy profession, leading to personal and professional development:
- Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)
- Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA)
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
- Australian Community Counselling Association (ACCA)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP)
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
Should you study art therapy?
If you have a penchant for helping others improve their emotional wellbeing and the quality of their lives, studying art therapy could be the ticket to your dream job. Besides honing your artistic skills, an art therapy course provides an opportunity to cultivate the admirable traits of successful art therapists, such as:
- Analytical thinking skills will help you decipher the meaning behind a client's artwork.
- Excellent management skills are required because you will need to balance multiple responsibilities while still providing the best service possible to all of your clients.
- Active listening skills will allow you to get to the root of a client's problem and assess their psychological, emotional and physical states.
- Empathetic and compassionate as you'll be in charge of the client's health and wellbeing and must be able to see things from their perspective.
- Strong problem-solving skills will enable you to assess the effectiveness of each art medium or supply in addressing a specific problem.
If this matches your professional goals and personal values, keep reading to learn more about the art therapy courses available in Ocean Shores.
What are the course and study options for art therapy in Ocean Shores?
There are several course providers in Ocean Shores who can help you choose the best learning path for your schedule and desired qualifications. Their programs are delivered on campus, online, or through blended learning methods.
You can start with a certificate training course to learn how art therapy can assist you on your personal journey to healing. After this, you can decide whether or not to pursue a practitioner training program.
The first step towards becoming an art therapist is to complete a three-year undergraduate degree in art therapy, counselling, psychology, social work, or another related field.
After that, you must complete a Master of Art Therapy program and satisfy the required number of clinical training hours before graduating and earning your qualification.
A list of art therapy courses and schools in Ocean Shores can be found at the top of this page. You may contact your preferred school to find out more about their admissions requirements, tuition fees, delivery options and curriculum.
What happens after you complete your art therapy course in Ocean Shores?
As a qualified art therapist, you can find work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, counselling offices, retreat centres, schools, mental health facilities and energy healing centres.
Consider starting your own private practice if you want more autonomy over how you conduct your art therapy sessions. Natural Therapy Pages can help you quickly expand your client base. Simply add your in-person or online art therapy services to the practitioner listing page.
To continue practising and maintaining your membership, you must meet your organisation's mandatory continuing professional education requirements. Courses in the following areas are highly recommended:
