Art Therapy Course - Centre of Excellence Online

Art Therapy is a growing field, which began by treating children and adults, who were emotionally scarred and/or physically disabled, with art and its creative process. In addition to its many benefits, many different types of people have been using Art Therapy for years. Some examples of where an Art Therapist might work are:

• Hospitals
• Community Mental Health Centers
• Child Life programmes
• Shelters
• Prisons
• Nursing Homes
• Special Schools

What is Art Therapy?

Therapy is the deliberate use of art-making to address psychological and emotional needs. Art Therapy uses art media and the creative process to help in areas such as, self-expression, coping skills, stress management , and strengthen sense of identity. Art Therapy has provided mental health treatment for clients who have experienced trauma, grief & loss, depression, chronic illness, substance abuse, and more.

To work as an Art Therapist

To work as an Art Therapist you will need to complete a postgraduate course approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can also gain further qualifications from the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) although this is not mandatory. You will also need paid or voluntary experience gained from working in areas such as mental health, education, special needs, or social services.

Certificate of completion

Digital certificate - Included

Course SyllabusIntroductionModule 1 - Introduction to Psychology & Neuroscience

• What is Psychology?
• Behaviourism
• Psychodynamic Psychology
• Humanistic Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Biological and Evolutional Psychology
• The Development of Mental Health Treatment
• Mental Health Treatment Today
• The Human Givens Approach
• Neuroscience
• Medication and Therapy
• The Brain
• Synapses
• Neurotransmitters
• Module 1 Assessment

Module 2 – Introduction to Basic Principles of Art Therapy

• How did Art Therapy Develop?
• The Rorschach Inkblot Test
• The Basic Concepts of Art Therapy
• How is Art Therapy Practiced?
• Module 2 Assessment

Module 3 - Creative Therapy Art Therapy: Two Main Approaches

• Conditions Treated
• Principles of Art Therapy
• Types of Creative Therapy
• Art
• The Family Portrait
• Photography
• Clay
• Dance Therapy
• Dramatherapy
• Music
• Expressive Arts Therapy
• Useful contacts
• Module 3 Assessment

Module 4 - Mindful Creativity

• Colouring
• Stress and Mindfulness
• Mindful Living
• Mindful Practices
• Becoming Mindful
• Meditation
• Mindfulness Based Art Therapy
• Mandala 1
• Mandala 2
• Module 4 Assessment

Module 5 - Colour and Creation

• How Does It Work?
• Art
• Colour Therapy
• Colour Psychology
• What Is Colour?
• Latest Colour Research
• Module 5 Assessment

Module 6 - Art Therapy for Children

• How Art Therapy with Children Developed
• Children and Colour
• Helping Kids to Cope
• Child Brain Development
• Brain Development Stages
• Exercises
• Interpretation by Therapists
• How Art Therapy Can Help
• Phenomenological Approach
• Talking in an Art Therapy Session
• Art Therapy vs Play Therapy
• Art Therapy as Treatment
• Module 6 Assessment

Module 7 - Illness and Art

• Specific Mental Health Problems
• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Case Study
• Schizophrenia
• Dementia
• Grief
• PTSD
• How Art Therapy in Psychiatric Services has Developed
• Necessary Conditions for Therapists
• Authenticity
• Creativity
• Recovery
• In a Clinical Setting
• Module 7 Assessment

Module 8 – Art Therapy with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
• How Art Therapy Can Help
• Therapeutic Mechanisms
• Reconsolidation of memories
• Progressive exposure
• Externalization
• Reduction of arousal
• Reactivation of positive emotion
• Enhancement of emotional self-efficacy
• Improved self-esteem
• Therapy Methods
• Module 8 Assessmen

Module 9 – Art Therapy with Older Clients

• Changes Related to Aging
• Physical–Biological
• Psychosocial Losses and Crises
• How Art Therapy Can Help
• Module 9 Assessment

Module 10 - Playtime! Equipment

• Planning Art Time
• Get Scribbling
• Rhoda Kellogg
• Journaling
• Happiness
• Gratitude
• Self-Awareness
• Final Assessment
• References and Further Reading
• Books
• Websites

Who is this course for?

If you are a social worker, coach, teacher, therapist, counsellor, psychologist, or anyone with a desire to learn and understand a new discipline and form of communication, then an Art Therapy education can help.

This course is ideal for those that are either complete beginners to the field of Art Therapy and are considering making a career change to become a Art Therapist, with the aim of getting an insight and understanding of Art Therapist, or existing Art Therapists, psychologists, therapists, teachers, coaches or parents looking to reinforce their knowledge or to pick up some new skills. This course is also ideal if you are interested in a career in Art Therapy, though are unsure if you want to commit yourself financially and time-wise to a full Art Therapy qualification.

The Art Therapy Course will take you up to 150 hours to complete working from home. There is no time limit for completing this course, it can be studied in your own time at your own pace. The course comes with a course assessment in the form of quizzes, written questions and short essays, once you have completed your course assessment please email or post it back to us for marking, you will then receive your feedback and certificates.

This course is accredited by the CMA (Complementary Medical Association)

To work as an Art Therapist you will need to complete a postgraduate course approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can also gain further qualifications from the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) although this is not mandatory.

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