Most people believe that trauma refers to unexpected natural disasters...
Read More
The Art Therapy (Community) Academy
The Art Therapy Academy (ATA) was founded with the aim of serving the community and enhancing the professionalism of art therapy in Malaysia. As a unique community academy training provider, ATA trains lay people who wish to become professional art therapy support workers without pursuing an academic path. This career path is designed to integrate adult learners’ life experiences with the unique art therapy approach to help clients achieve their therapeutic goals.
Over the past ten years, ATA has actively served the community through collaborations with governmental departments, schools, corporates, and community centers. ATA’s goal is to break through traditional verbal counseling approaches by introducing art therapy to assist the public in reconnecting with their emotional and psychological needs. Additionally, ATA aims to expand their clients’ understanding of their spiritual needs and improve their overall emotional well-being.
The objectives of the academy are to train social prescribing art therapy support workers to meet the psychological needs of children, adolescents, and adults. In 2022, ATA authorized six Dolphiner Awakening Art Centers in Kajang, Rawang, Melaka, Batu Pahat, Taiping, and Kelantan, respectively. All the instructors at these centers are trained and qualified Dolphiner Instructors equipped with professional art therapy knowledge and skills. They are closely monitored and supervised to ensure the maintenance of therapeutic services.
In 2024, owing to a shift in management direction, these centers have autonomously pursued their community service endeavors. Some may have continued steadfastly along the path of preventive art therapy, while others may have discovered their distinctive approaches. Let us not overlook their contributions, as they have offered vital support to the community and have profoundly impacted many troubled souls.
Since its inception, ATA has been passionate about serving and increasing the understanding of art therapy in Malaysia. The academy has launched numerous projects, including “School Care Project,” experiential workshops, public talks, and short courses on art therapy training. The “School Care Project” introduces art therapy strategies to provide primary school counselors with art therapy training to benefit primary school children. Another initiative is the “Violence-Free Zone,” which uses art therapy projects to prevent violence. This initiative has been promoted in school settings as well as in the academy itself.
