This 30 hour programme consists of five one-day workshops, each of 6 hours duration.

Day 1: Introduction to Art Therapy through Visual Journaling: Liz Rackard

Sometimes words are not enough for individuals to communicate what needs to be expressed. Art can be a creative way to connect to deeper, hidden, playful and creative parts of the self. Visual journaling introduces this exploration through drawing, painting, collage and using words in a journal. Through using both directive and non-directive art therapy based exercises the first day of this course will look at: 

• Origins of art therapy
• Materials and methods
• The role of imagination, creativity and play in a therapeutic context
• Looking at images within a therapeutic relationship
• The use of metaphor
• Feedback and appropriate interpretation
• Art therapy in self-care

While we will look at some of the theoretical perspectives underpinning art therapy, learning will be essentially participative and experiential. The focus is on creativity, freedom and getting in touch with the spontaneous childlike part of oneself. No previous experience of art is necessary.

The visual journal will provide a link throughout the five days and be used to record thoughts, impressions and learning as students progress through the course. The visual journal is an essential part of Integration Day where the focus will be on students integration of personal and professional learning.

Learning Outcomes:

Learners will become aware of how to create their own visual journal, gain confidence in using art materials and processes and recognize the role of journaling and art therapy in client work and self-care.

Day 2: Working with personal symbols in a group context: Pauline Macey

Building on day one, day two will provide participants with an opportunity to extend and deepen their experience and learning from visual journaling through a structured approach to exploring personal symbols in a group setting. This will be facilitated through guided visualization leading into a group image making exercise. The contributions and benefits of art therapy within a group process will also be explored. Group art therapy has many advantages and is considered to be a potentially powerful therapeutic experience and process that is strongly supported by a growing body of research. The day will be highly experiential.

Outline of Content

1. Introduction to different types of Group Art Therapy

• Closed/Open groups
• Art Therapy for different client groups
• Structured Groups/ Non-structured groups

2. Familiarise learners with some of the main theoretical concepts and dynamics underlying all therapeutic groups

• Transference/Counter-transference
• Power/Domination
• Projection
• Scapegoating

3. The roles and responsibilities of the art therapist and the participants in group art therapy

• The feedback process in group art therapy
• The group process dynamic in art therapy.
• Boundaries and ground rules in group art therapy

Learning Outcomes:

Learners will become aware of different group dynamics based on their own experience and will be able to recognise the value of group art therapy in different client settings. 

Day 3: Introduction to Drama Therapy: Pauline Sweeney

This one day course aims to introduce participants to the theory and practice of drama therapy as a therapeutic tool with groups and individuals within a variety of settings including mental health, education, prisons and community / family-based services. It will explore play, dramatic projection, role, movement, symbol and metaphor, storytelling and poetry as tools of this therapeutic approach. It is a method of working and playing using drama tools to facilitate creativity, imagination, learning, insight, and growth

The day will be part experiential and will also give participants the opportunity to integrate theory into practice.

The emphasis is not on performance but on the experience and creative process of the group or individual.

Outline of Content

• Origins of  Dramatherapy - 
• Theoretical and conceptual perspectives
• Working from a humanistic experiential approach using theatre /drama skills – movement, improvisation, role, story-making, poetry and games to access creativity, imagination and personal expression.
• Case study - benefits of drama in aiding holistic development
• Reflective discussion on insights experienced from the journey of the individual in a group setting

Learning outcomes

Participants will gain an insight into drama therapy through an experiential and playful process.  Dramatherapy lends itself well to group work but can also be used with individuals. The relevance of both will be explored through the use of case studies.

Day 4: Introduction to Music Therapy and Music as a Resource: Rory Adams

Music therapy and the therapeutic use of music is strongly supported by a growing body of evidence examples of which will be provided in relation to each area of the music module.

There is a strong experiential and discursive aspect to this day, each element of the day will include discussion and practical exercises and it is intended that participants will feel encouraged and empowered to use music in their own self-care and in their work. 

It is also intended that participants will have a greater understanding and regard for music therapy as an allied health profession and will be in a position to consider when a referral to music therapy might be appropriate.

Music is a very versatile resource which is utilised in many different health, social and community contexts. This course day looks at the use of music, both as a personal, and as a therapeutic resource in health and wellbeing contexts, and explores various aspects of using music including: 

• Music making in health, community and social contexts
• Introducing music therapy in mental health, intellectual disability and other  contexts
• Theoretical perspectives including music centred/behavioural/ psychodynamic/ guided imagery
• Music as a (personal/professional) resource
  • Singing known songs
  • Listening to significant music/ discussing lyrics
  • Songwriting
  • Drumming/rhythming
  • Improvising
  • Relaxation/Mindfulness using music
  • Music and community; Performance/Recording
•  Using rhythm & circle drumming, introducing elements of music
• Using singing/ lyrics/ songwriting/ listening
• Using instruments; improvisation & structured activities

Music therapy and the therapeutic use of music is strongly supported by a growing body of evidence examples of which will be provided  in relation to each area of the music module.

There is a strong experiential and discursive aspect to this day, each element of the day will include discussion and practical exercises and it is intended that participants will feel encouraged and empowered to use music in their own self-care and in their work. 

It is also intended that participants will have a greater understanding and regard for music therapy as an allied health profession and will be in a position to consider when a referral to music therapy might be appropriate.

Day 5: Integration/Assessment Day: Pauline Macey & Liz Rackard

The Integration Day gives learners the opportunity to reflect on their experience from the four previous days using creative arts as part of this processing. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experience and learning in the form of a brief presentation to the group in visual or creative form. Specific topics covered will include:

• Application of art therapy to a range of case work
• Integration of personal experience of working with different modalities
• Brief presentation to the group of experiential learning in visual or creative form
• Resources to support ongoing practice and development of working with creative arts therapies
• Incorporating arts therapies into self care

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Assessment: 2,500 word essay

Requirements due Before attending Integration Day:

• Record of 15 hours supervised client work, working with creative arts therapies
• Record of 3 hours supervision
• Reflective visual journal (to be signed off by course leaders, Liz and Pauline on Integration day)

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

On completion of this Certificate, participants will have relevant knowledge about the unique role of the creatve arts and their place in the therapeutic process.

Skills
On completion of this Certificate, participants will be familiar with the use of a range of creative interventions from the disciplines of art, drama and music and posess an understanding of their use and limitations.

Module Aims

• to provide each student with an opportunity to engage with and experience the creative modalities of art, music and drama therapy
• to give students a ‘hands-on’ experience of each disicipline
• to provide an introduction to the fundamental theoretical concepts of  these arts therapies
• to explore the unique contributions, qualities and features of different creative modalities
• to consider the ways in which these can complement each other enhancing and transforming the therapeutic process. 

Programme Leaders

Pauline Macey 

M.Sc. (Family Couns) Dip. Couns. Comp., Dip. Colour Therapy, Dip. A.D.T., Dip. Massage., M.I.A.C.P., M.N.A.P.C.P.

Pauline has been a facilitator for Art as Therapy since 1992 and holds a number of qualifications in Family & Group Counselling, Mediation Counselling, Spirituality, Colour Therapy, Anatomy and Physiology and Body Massage

Liz Rackard 

BSc. (Hons) Couns./Psych., Prof. Cert. in CBT, CSME, MIACP.

Liz Rackard is an art therapist and practicing artist who is passionate about creativity and the therapeutic benefit of art making. A graduate of the National College of Art & Design she worked as an artist and designer before training as an art therapist at CIT Crawford in Cork. As an art therapist her main interest is in child, adolescent and adult mental health. She has facilitated creative art making in many different settings and continues to explore different approaches, techniques and exercises.  Liz has exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions and carried out a number of commissioned works.  She currently works with vulnerable children in educational settings while continuing her own art practice and running workshops in visual journaling.

Fees:

Days 1 & 2: €260

Days 3, 4 & 5: €520

Full Price:  €730 (Save €50 by booking in full)

Fees are non-refundable in all personal circumstances. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort. A full refund will be given to all applicants in the event that the class does not proceed.

Eligibility: 

Qualification in Counselling, Psychotherapy or other helping professionals with therapeutic experience and students currently in professional training (BSc Degree Year 2 onwards). Entry is by application form.

Additional Requirements (Before Integration Day)

Recored of 15 hours client work, working with creative arts therapies

Record of 3 hours supervision

2,500 word essay

Reflective visual journal (to be signed off by course leaders Liz and Pauline on Integration Day)