INTRODUCTION

Art therapy and art psychotherapy are unique forms of psychotherapy in which art and image-making play central roles within therapeutic relationships. Art psychotherapy theory and practice are taught through a combination of training groups, lectures, presentations, student led presentations and seminars, placements and psychotherapeutic supervision.  The course reflects advanced international models of practice and offers intensive preparation and training in an innovative setting for Australian and international students intending to practise as art psychotherapists.  Highly experienced art therapists and staff from related disciplines teach the new program.  The course is an integral part of the School of Contemporary Arts and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, giving students many opportunities to explore a wide range of arts based aspects of art psychotherapy in depth.

The program is arranged sequentially in two closely related areas:

Experiential and practical learning - including placements, supervision, training groups, students own creative work, and personal therapy undertaken externally.

Theoretical learning - including lectures by teaching staff and invited speakers, seminars, written assignments, reading and research.

This is not however a strict division; students learn how theory and practice intertwine.  For example, the written case study concerns placement practice and includes images, lectures deal with practice issues as well as theory, students' placement experiences are related to theory in supervision, while art psychotherapy training groups together with students' own creative work and therapeutic practice inform intellectual learning and are themselves forms of research.  Placements are arranged in widely ranging urban and rural settings, some of the latter in remote locations, and overseas if necessary for international students.

COURSE LOCATION AND MODE OF STUDY

Completing the Master of Arts takes two years for full-time students and three years for part-time students.  It is awarded to students passing their coursework and demonstrating they are equipped to practise independently as art psychotherapists.  The Master of Arts is run within the School of Contemporary Arts and located on the Mount Lawley campus of Edith Cowan University.  Placements take place in suitable locations external to the university.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The course is intended for those holding a relevant degree, preferably in fine art, the visual arts, or in another related discipline.  Sufficient pre-course experience is also required, this might include work in health, education, the community or social services.  Direct experience of art therapy, art psychotherapy, psychotherapy or counselling is an advantage.  Applicants must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to practice in the visual arts.  Bridging units or additional experience may be required.  Admission is based on a written application form, references, two short pieces of writing, and photographs of the applicant's art work.  Those short-listed on the basis of this application will be interviewed.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course comprises six semester long Modules, each consisting of several areas of training and study.  Full-time students complete four Modules in the first year (Part 1) and two Modules are taken in the second year (Part 2).  Part-time students complete four Modules over the first two years (Part 1) and two modules in the third year (Part 2).  Deferred Modules, or parts of Modules, can only be retaken in the semester where they are next time-tabled. Students are expected to be in their own personal therapy throughout their training.