Credit Points 20

Legacy Code 102527

Coordinator Joy Paton Opens in new window

Description This unit introduces art therapy students to an understanding of art psychotherapy theory through the lens of contemporary art and the translation of foundational psychotherapy knowledge and skills into art therapy practice. This unit builds on the micro skills of counselling and psychotherapy learned in Counselling Skills for the Allied Professions, through the scaffolded introduction and practice of art therapy clinical skills during intensive group work supported by staff. The unit also offers an opportunity for students to demonstrate their emerging understandings of art therapy by producing and exhibiting an artwork on a chosen aspect of the relationship between art and psychotherapy.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Creative Arts, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 20cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) CART 7005 AND
WELF 7032 AND
WELF 7029

Equivalent Subjects WELF 7005 - Counselling 2

Incompatible Subjects WELF 7010 - Foundations of Psychotherapy and Counselling 2 CART 7011 - Integrating Arts and Therapy

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 4595 Master of Art Therapy.

Assumed Knowledge

Concurrent or previous study of foundational subjects in counselling and art therapy.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Practice beginning skills in art therapy effectively with a range of client groups and issues.
2. Demonstrate art therapy skills in practice sessions in ways that will enhance the therapeutic relationship and the progress of therapy
3. Reflect constructively on their art therapy practice from multiple positions
4. Analyse significant critical connections between the theoretical frameworks of contemporary art and art psychotherapy
5. Analyse the significance of studio art practice for the practicing art therapist
6. Curate own or client artwork around a therapeutic issue or theme

Subject Content

1. In-class practice of art therapy clinical skills to address a range of client issues.
2. Reflection on the experience of art therapy practice from the positions of trainee practitioner, participant and observer, including close analysis of video recordings of practice sessions.
3. Exploration of the connections and tensions between the theories and practices of art psychotherapy and those of contemporary art.
4. Planning, documenting progress toward and exhibiting an artwork that researches an aspect of the relationship between art and psychotherapy.
5. Critical consideration of the role of the exhibition in art therapy, including the intersections of art therapy with arts-based mental health recovery and the ?earts in health?f movement.