What is Arts Therapy / Arts Psychotherapy?

Arts therapy or arts psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative modalities, including visual art-making, drama, and dance/movement to improve and inform physical, mental and emotional well-being. Most arts therapists in ANZATA utilise the visual arts and often use the title art therapist or art psychotherapist. This profession has been recognised and regulated around the world by organisations such as the British Association of Art Therapists and the Health Professions Council and in USA by the American Art Therapy Association. Arts therapists working with movement or dance or drama in their work are also recognised and regulated in other parts of the world by separate professional bodies, and may use titles such as dance/movement therapist, or dramatherapist. Increasingly other countries are recognising the need for regulating principles for the many creative therapies within one professional overseeing body such as ANZATA.

All arts therapies are traditionally based on psychoanalytic or psychodynamic principles, and most arts therapists utilise varied evidence based theoretical frameworks in their work. These traditions include depth analytic, humanistic, behavioural, systemic, and integrative approaches. Arts psychotherapy can be employed both a therapeutic and diagnostic tool. The therapist and client/s develop a dynamic interpersonal relationship, with clear boundaries and goals. It differs from traditional art-making or performance in that the emphasis is on the process of creating and meaning-making, rather than on the end product. Arts therapy can be practiced with individuals as well as groups. An ANZATA registered arts therapist has completed a two-year masters level programme and focuses on developing a therapeutic relationship with clear boundaries and goals. In Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, ANZATA is the professional body overseeing professional membership, registration and course approval and the various categories of Associate, Professional and Affiliate memberships. The standards adhered to by ANZATA are deliberately defined to align with international associations' membership requirements in UK, USA, Canada and Israel.

How does Arts Therapy / Arts Psychotherapy Work?

Arts therapy is based on the belief that the process of engaging creatively in drama, movement or art-making, within a therapeutic relationship, supports changes in the client’s inner world, and helps them to develop a more integrated sense of self, with increased self awareness and acceptance. It assists with improving the client’s personal growth and insight, processing of traumatic experiences, and resolving of inner conflicts. Arts therapy provides a unique opportunity for the use of non-verbal communication, allowing clients to express feelings safely so that they can cope better with stress, improve their judgment and have healthy relationships.

The artwork or creative response in each session is a confidential record showing patterns of feelings, thoughts and behaviours. The arts therapist and client work together to understand the creative product of each session, and this product is seen as a reflection of the meaning for that person, through their own discovery. The arts therapist provides a safe, non-threatening space and invites the individual (or group) to explore their issues by using whatever variety of media he or she feels is appropriate and comfortable during the session. Arts therapists have specialised training that reflects their interdisciplinary practice and prepares them to provide such a space.

Advantages of Arts Therapy / Arts Psychotherapy

Arts therapy can help people to resolve conflicts, develop interpersonal skills, manage behaviour, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and achieve insight. Arts therapy can encourage clients to:
• express feelings that may be difficult to verbalise
• explore their imagination and creativity
• develop healthy coping skills and focus
• improve self-esteem and confidence
• identify and clarify issues and concerns
• increase communication skills
• share in a safe nurturing environment
• improve motor skills and physical co-ordination
• identify blocks to emotional expression and personal growth.

How to Find an Arts Therapist / Arts Psychotherapist

Professionally qualified arts therapists are registered with the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA). If you would like to locate registered arts therapists in your region for yourself or for someone else, you will find an arts therapist directory listing therapists by region, state and country on the ANZATA website. Please go to our Therapist Directory

Professional Requirements of Registered Arts Therapists / Arts Psychotherapists

ANZATA recognises training for arts therapists from approved courses offered by Universities and Colleges in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. These can be found on the ‘Professional Membership’ page on the ANZATA website. This training comprises of a minimum two-year Masters Degree with a component of 750 supervised clinical hours placement under qualified supervision. A professional member of ANZATA works under a code of ethics that addresses issues of safe practice for their clients which is mandatory in most employment situations. Graduates of these programmes are eligible for professional registration with ANZATA, entitling them to use the recognised post nominal title AThR (registered arts therapist) after their name.

History of arts therapy in Australasia and South East Asia

1940s The birth of art therapy as a profession in Europe, the UK and the USA.     
1987  Australian National Art Therapy Association (ANATA) was established.
2006  ANATA became ANZATA (Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association) 
2007  The Australian government wage award was granted to the profession.
2009  ANZATA membership opened to graduates of LASALLE College in Singapore,
creating a pan-Pacific network in our region
2011  An ‘s’ was added to ‘art’ in ANZATA’s title to reflect the many creative modalities
that members utilise.

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