(983817-W)

Online Social Prescribing Professional Art Therapy Program ®

ATA has been offering a non-accredited professional art therapy program in Malaysia for the past 15 years. As a registered art therapist, Bee who graduated from the West, she is dedicated to introducing a practical art therapy approach to Malaysia. The program is designed based on her self-inquiry, self-innovation, and personal-proven approach, and the theories have been tested with different populations to validate their practicality in the real world. The program is comprehensive, highly reflective, and creates awareness among participants who embark on this journey.

The journey was long, with the first five years dedicated to an experimental teaching method. Then, it took another five years to confirm the course structure to make it both “academic” and “practical” sounding. As it was not a government-approved program, it was named a Preventive Professional Art Therapy Program, and it was not intended to apply to clients struggling with mental health issues. In 2022, the program was restructured into a Social Prescribing Professional Art Therapy Program, which is an approach to healthcare that involves using art therapy as a non-medical intervention to address social, emotional, and psychological needs.

 

Social prescribing art therapy involves collaborating with clients to identify their unique needs and goals, and then creating a customized plan of care that incorporates art-based interventions. Extensive research has demonstrated that social prescribing art therapy is an effective treatment for a broad spectrum of health issues, such as depression and anxiety (Crawford et al., 2018), chronic pain (Kaimal et al., 2016), and dementia (Windle et al., 2018). This approach is particularly valuable in promoting social inclusion and mitigating feelings of isolation among marginalized populations (Stickley & Wright, 2011). Our program’s primary focus is on marginalized populations, with the goal of improving their emotional well-being through preventive art-based strategies to alleviate mental health consequences. 

The program covers both the theoretical foundations and practical aspects of art therapy and requires a full commitment of 1.5 to 2 years to complete. It consists of four-day sessions each month, with one month off for revision, reading, and assignments. In addition, students are required to complete 100 hours of community placement in settings such as schools, nursing homes, or community centers.

Theoretical foundations of art therapy typically involve coursework in a range of areas related to human development, counselling, and group dynamics. Some specific topics that may be covered in art therapy training programs include:

  • Art therapy theory and practice, which provides an overview of the history and evolution of art therapy as a field, as well as an exploration of different theoretical approaches to art therapy practice.
  • Human development, which involves an examination of the stages of human development across the lifespan, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.
  • Counselling, which involves an exploration of different counseling theories and techniques, as well as practical skills such as active listening and empathy.
  • Group dynamics, which includes an examination of the dynamics that occur within groups, including issues related to power, communication, conflict resolution, and leadership.
  • Ethics and professional standards, which involves an exploration of ethical issues related to art therapy practice, including issues related to confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries.

The practical aspects of the field of art therapy involve the application of art-based interventions to promote healing, growth, and well-being among clients. Some specific practical aspects of the field include:

Using a variety of assessment tools to gather information about clients’ needs, strengths, and challenges.

Developing individualized treatment plans tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals, based on the results of the assessment process.

Variety of art-based interventions to help clients explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

Working with clients in group settings, providing opportunities for social support and peer feedback

Maintaining accurate records of work with clients, including progress notes, treatment plans, and other documentation required by regulatory body.

Art therapy support workers engage in ongoing professional development activities such as attending conferences, workshops, and seminars, participating in supervision or consultation groups, and pursuing advanced degrees or certifications. These activities help art therapy support worker stay up-to-date with the latest research and trends in the field, develop new skills and techniques, and maintain professional competencies.

Art therapy support worker are encouraged to engage in personal therapy sessions and keep personal reflective journals to gain a deeper understanding of their personal values, beliefs, and biases. Personal therapy can help art therapists identify and work through their own emotional and psychological issues, develop self-awareness, and gain insights into their clients’ experiences. Reflective journaling can also help art therapists track their personal and professional growth over time and identify areas for further development.

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