Introduction to art therapy for therapists

Who is this course for?

The course is open for therapists who would like to facilitate emotional well-being for their clients through:

• integrating art making into their therapeutic practice
• understanding the emotional process included in the art-making and coursework learning

Course content

Insight into the basic theories and practice of art therapy is offered in the course by means of lectures, reading, written text, discussions and workshops, whereby participants take part in the creative process and experience the opportunities facilitated. Knowledge of one’s own art making increases self-awareness and gives participants understanding of the art making process of their clients. A number of ways to create artwork will be introduced in the course, with the aim of increasing creativity, strengthening identity, fostering communication, memorising, and facilitating both self-awareness and emotional well-being. Prior knowledge or experience of art is not required for participation.

The aims of the course are to:

• Introduce the basic methods and theories of art therapy
• Present ways of creating images that facilitate expression of emotions and thoughts, memorisation, creativity, social skills and well-being
• Increase understanding about the way in which problems, emotions, thoughts and contexts can be expressed through art making
• Offer participants a means to learn about themselves through their own imagery
• Explain the function and potential included in application of memory drawing
• Provide the knowledge that memory drawing is generally an effective long-term memory aid for coursework learning as well as for processing emotional material related to stress and/or trauma

Module 1 – 1st week

15:00 – 18:00

An insight into the field of art therapy will be provided, including an introduction to its basic theories and practice in relation to art making.

Module 2 – 2nd week

15:00 – 18:00

Introduction to memory drawing and the basic theories and methods in relation to its application.

Module 3 – 3rd week

15:00 – 18:00

Integrating art making and memory drawing within therapy.

Testimonials

Sonný Hilma Þorbjörnsdóttir, teacher and artist:

"What you offered to us who participated in the course was an opportunity to stop, look, review and rethink. Your presence allowed us a certain freedom to be, just be present there and then in the moment, which can only be created through respect for the individual and belief in the individual's abilities. You gave us a framework and I think we all adjusted to it without fear of being judged. What we learned about art therapy and the insight you provided into that world was immeasurably valuable for me. Giving keys to that world to someone who is ready to open up will increase our possibilities to work on and support ourselves and others. You are a great teacher, Unnur, and hopefully I will get the chance of meeting you again soon and experience and learn more and more and more."