Arts Therapy in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore 1.

Arts Therapy in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore 1

Arts Therapyin Australia, New Zealand and Singapore


Modalities in Arts Therapy• Visual Art

(eg painting, sculpture, drawing, collage, etc)• Drama • Music• Dance/Movement In this Presentation we will focus on the Visual Art Modality and refer to it as Art Therapy.


What is Arts Therapy? • Arts therapy is a treatment method that uses the

creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being.

• Arts Therapy is suitable for all ages and can be practiced with individuals as well as groups.


What is Arts Therapy?• Arts Therapy provides an avenue to express,

explore, and externalise experiences, thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

• The visual end result of the art work can facilitate reflection.


Advantages of Arts Therapy

• Increase self-esteem and confidence• Develop interpersonal skills• Manage behaviour and difficult emotions• Reduce stress • Resolve conflicts • Achieve insight• Develop coping skills


How Does Arts Therapy Work?• The Client, the Art and the Therapist in a

therapeutic alliance• The artwork can reveal (sub) conscious changes• A process with clearly-defined boundaries and

client goals • Improves personal growth and insight• Emphasis is on the process rather than the product


How Does Arts Therapy Work?• Contributes to changes in the client's inner world • A more integrated sense of self • Providing opportunity to process traumatic

experiences • Resolve of inner conflicts• Increases self-awareness and acceptance


Where is Arts Therapy found?Art therapy takes place in a wide variety of settings,

including:• Private practice• Disability Services• Hospitals • Mental health facilities• Child protection systems (government and non-

government) • Domestic violence shelters and refuges• Community programs in indigenous communities• Schools (including special needs schools)• Community centres• Prisons and juvenile justice facilities• Residential and nursing homes • Hospices• Drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities• Open studios for special communities (New Zealand)


Goals for Arts TherapyExamples include, but are not limited to, the following:• Improvement of self-esteem and strengthening of self confidence• Improved recognition and expression of emotions• Behavioural improvements – eg anger management;

Resolving the origin of maladaptive behaviour by enhancing the emotional range

• Improved conflict resolution outcomes and strategies• Learning to accept boundaries, both from self and others• Increased social functioning/social interaction• Better management of anxieties and fears• Enhanced coping abilities • Achieving greater self-awareness and self–acceptance


History of Arts Therapy in Australasia

To date Art Therapy remains an unregulated profession• 1940s Birth of Art Therapy in Europe, UK and USA • 1987 Start of ANATA (Australian National Art Therapy Association) • 2006 ANATA became ANZATA (including New Zealand) and

Art Therapy became recognised as an occupation in Australia

• 2007 Secured salary award in NSW • 2009 Pan Pacific Network established with the inclusion of Singapore• 2011 The name was changed to Australian and New Zealand Arts

Therapy Assoc to reflecting that membership has extended to

those utilising many creative arts modalities

The only registration of Arts Therapists is currently through ANZATA


Training Standards• ANZATA only recognises training for Arts Therapists from approved

courses offered by Universities and Colleges in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, which are referred to as ‘Professional Membership’ on the ANZATA website.

• Training comprises of a minimum two year Masters Degree with a component of 750 supervised clinical hours placement under qualified supervision.

• Graduates of these programmes are eligible for professional registration with ANZATA, entitling them to use use AThR (registered art therapist) after their name.

• Reciprocal registration rights are then extended to ANZATA members from UK, and USA Art Therapy organisations, as these practitioners meet internationally recognised standards.

A directory of registered Arts Therapists is available at http://www.anzata.org/therapist-directory/


The Evidence BaseArts Therapy is an evidence-based therapy

Adults:• Several outcome studies demonstrate effectiveness of short-term group and

individual Arts Therapy. • Decrease in anxiety, depression and symptoms of PTSD, improvements in self-

esteem.

Children and Adolescents:• Outcome studies and Randomised Control Trials (RCT) demonstrated positive

outcomes in educational and mental health settings with the use of various arts therapy approaches.

• Increased ability to symbolise, reduction in severity and frequency of symptoms, alleviation of stress, facilitation of communication and interaction.



Autistic Spectrum Disorders:• Outcome studies demonstrate long term and individual Art Therapy is effective

in promoting cognitive and emotional development. • Enabling relationships, lessening destructive behaviours and improvements in

self- esteem.

Learning and Behavioural Difficulties:• Outcome studies show that long term group and individual work improve

behaviour difficulties and decrease feelings of helplessness; Improved capacity for symbol formation and ability to complete developmental tasks.

• Reduction in depression, improved attentiveness, sociability.



Eating Disorders:• Outcome studies show Arts Therapy is a suitable form of treatment enabling

negotiation and management of emotional and psychological issues.

Offenders:• Outcome studies show Arts Therapy can address the antecedents to crime,

improve communication, increase insight, change crimiogenic behaviours and decrease the likelihood of recidivism.



Dementia and Palliative Care:• Outcome studies and RCT have shown a reduction in depression, improved

attentiveness, sociability, mental acuity, physical competence and calmness.

Depression, Personality Disorders and Psychosis:• RCT and outcome studies show improved ability to enter and maintain

relationships, enable symbolisation and develop mature defences (psychosis).• Increased self-esteem and improved relationships (depression).• Studies show that Arts Therapy can improve the management of highly charged

emotional experiences, ameliorating destructive tendencies (personality disorders). (Gilroy, 2006)


More InformationAustralian & New Zealand Arts Therapy Association www.anzata.org

This provides information about therapists, ethics, standards, research, training, and upcoming events for the Australian/New Zealand/Singapore

regions.

The following URLs provide information about ethics, standards, research, histories, and practice of

art therapy around the world

American Art Therapy Association www.arttherapy.org

British Association of Art Therapists www.baat.org

There are journals associated with each of these organisations.

http://www.anzata.org/

http://www.arttherapy.org/

http://www.baat.org/

Arts Therapy in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore 1.

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