1. KEY TERMS & DEFINITIONS
The terms “art therapy” and “play therapy” are used by different professions to mean different things. The Academy defines clinical art and play therapy as the systematic use of any art or play medium or modality by a qualified counselling clinician to achieve specific client treatment goals.
In relation to art therapy, the Academy does not place an emphasis on being skilled in fine arts. As outlined in the above definition, the Academy’s emphasis is on being a counselling clinician rather than being an artist. Although the Academy’s courses do involve some technical training in the use of various art mediums, the training is tailored especially for “non-artists” and conducted in a non-threatening, relaxed atmosphere. In relation to play therapy, both directive and non-directive (child-centred) play therapy modalities are included in the definition. The Academy places techniques such as sandplay therapy, image cards, symbols and transient object work under the broad definition of “directive play therapy.”
2. COURSE OVERVIEW
The Academy offers two courses – a 1 year Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Art & Play Therapy and a 1.5 year Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Art & Play Therapy.
3. WHO THE COURSES ARE DESIGNED FOR
The Academy’s courses are designed for psychologists, clinical social workers, psycotherapists and counsellors who wish to acquire specialist skills and knowledge in the clinical applications of art and play therapy. The courses cover both directive clinical art and play therapy and non-directive (child-centred play therapy) approaches. Regarding directive approaches, some of the meidums and techniques include:
- Sandplay therapy
- Image cards
- Symbol work
- Art (paints, inks, pastels, charcoal, clay, playdoh, plasticine, ceramics)
- Mandalas
- Therapeutic story telling
- + many more
The training aims to provide counselling clinicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively use a range of clinical art and play therapy modalities and techniques with children, adolescents and adults presenting with a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, addictive behaviour, compulsive behaviour, grief and attachment related issues.
4. ENTRY CRITERIA
There are 3 main entry criteria for the Academy’s courses:
- Membership or registration with relevant clinical board/association (PBA, AASW, PACFA or ACA)
- Counselling employment
- Attendance at compulsory introductory workshop
* Full details of the core and elective subjects, structure of the courses, entry criteria, cost, and delivery modes are outlined in the Academy's course information documents. Please contact the Academy for a copy.
