What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a mental health modality that guides clients to gain more control over their mind, body and spirit. Art therapists give their clients the choice of art materials and allow them to create pieces that represent their ideas, emotions and experiences. Clients can improve their communication skills, self-expression, and self-awareness in art therapy. These all contribute to positive personal development in the long term for the clients. This modality serves to help those who suffer from the following psychological and mental health problems:
- Anxiety
- Fears and phobias
- Eating disorders
- Grief
- Substance abuse
- Muscle tension
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- High blood pressure
- Dementia
- Stress
- Family or relationship problems
- Depression
Darwin art therapists may join the following professional organisations 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 Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
- Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP)
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Australian Community Counselling Association (ACCA)
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Should you study art therapy?
Do you want to work in a profession where you can use the power of art to improve people's lives and help them find meaning in their lives?
If this is what you want to do with your life, a career as an art therapist is ideal for you! Contrary to popular opinion, you don't need artistic talent to be an art therapist. Instead, employers are looking for the following abilities and characteristics in art therapists:
- Excellent listening skills: to correctly assess a client's tactile, emotional, or physical condition, it's critical to have good emotional intelligence throughout the session.
- Strong analytical skills: this involves interpreting and assessing information and visual cues from the client's work.
- Excellent organisational abilities: to handle a variety of responsibilities with varying priorities while yet keeping good service for all of your clients.
- High levels of confidentiality: because the client will need to disclose highly sensitive personal and medical information.
If you see a match between your interpersonal skills and career aspirations with those mentioned above, continue reading to learn more about the art therapy course and career options available to you in Darwin.
What are the course and study options for art therapists in Darwin?
If you want to work as an art therapist, you'll need to earn both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The first step is to enrol in an undergraduate degree program studying either counselling, psychology, nursing, social science or another related discipline. Then, after you've completed a bachelor's degree in art therapy, you'll need to finish a master's degree in art therapy. There are several different art therapy course providers in Darwin that provide various delivery methods, according to your learning pace and schedule like on-campus, online or blended learning systems.
During your academic career, you'll study art therapy specialists with years of expertise in both teaching and practising this profession. The following are some examples of things that you will explore in your art therapy degree:
- Theory
- History
- Counselling
- Mental health
- Art therapy techniques
- Creative exploration in art
- Communicating with clients
Furthermore, while obtaining your Master's degree, you'll have to complete 750 clinical hours either observing or directly interacting with a professionally qualified art therapist.
Do you want to become an art therapist in Darwin but aren't sure where to begin?
At the top of this page, you'll discover more details regarding these course alternatives, which will help you achieve your aim of becoming an art therapist in Darwin. If you're still undecided about which college to attend after considering all of your possibilities, contact them personally if you have any further questions about their program, such as:
- Entry requirements
- Delivery structure
- Curriculum
- Tuition fees
- Professional support programs
What happens after you complete your art therapy course in Darwin?
Before you may enter the job market as an art therapy graduate in Darwin, you'll need to join the Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA). To practice as an art therapist in Darwin, you must fulfil the yearly educational requirements through the Continuing Professional Education. This is vital in maintaining your professional credentials. There are a number of occupations that hire art therapists, including:
- Mental health agencies
- Aged care facilities
- Psychiatric wards
- Crisis centres
- Assisted living facilities
- Domestic violence shelters
- Clinical research facilities
- Schools
If you want more control over the way you do your art therapy sessions in the future, consider establishing your own business that specialises in art therapy. This is a great option down the track when you start to feel more confident in your abilities to conduct an art therapy session. Natural Therapy Page will be there for you every step of the way as you start your own private practice as an art therapy practitioner. All you have to do is list either your in-person art therapy services or online sessions on the website. This is a fantastic approach to get more people to know about your services and grow your client list.
