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'Art Therapy involves the use of different art materials through which a client can express...'
'Art materials may vary and include paint, pastels, clay, crayon, collage, ink, koki's...'
'Clients may use the art materials in any way they wish provided it is safe for the...'
'Art is a universal language that transcends language barriers and cultural...'
'No, Art Therapy is not only for children!  Art Therapy is beneficial for...'
'Art Therapy is available for both individual and group settings.  Both settings...'
'Absolutely not!  Knowledge of art is NOT a prerequisite for attending Art Therapy, and...'
'The Art Therapist and client work together in exploration of what the image may mean or...'
'The 5-Day Art Therapy Training course is facilitated twice a year for 5 consecutive...'
'The Art Therapy manual can be purchased online after which the manual will be...'
'Yes, absolutely!  The cost for your manual would then be subtracted from the...'
'There is no formal recognised Art Therapy correspondence Training course.  Perhaps...'
'Yes, Art Therapy currently falls under the category of...'
'No, there is currently NO formal registered Art Therapy training in South Africa...'
'Art Therapy involves the use of different art materials through which a client can express...'
'Art Therapy was a term first used in Britain in 1942.  Two strands developed...'
'Individual Art Therapy : It is recommended that the clients attend regular Art...'
'Art Therapy has proved to be helpful for a range of clients and is suitable for...'
ART THERAPY IN SOUTH AFRICA
'Yes.  After attendance of Art Therapy sessions, one can submit claims...'
'Having completed an internationally registered Art Therapy Masters training, qualified...'
'Undergraduate degree (e.g. BA, Social Work etc)...'
'Art Therapy is a post graduate and masters training internationally which...'
 
GENERAL
Art Therapy involves the use of different art materials through which a client can express and explore
thoughts and feelings in the presence of a qualified Art Therapist. The Art Therapist offers a safe,
contained and supportive space in which to work through issues and concerns. For many clients, it is
easier to relate to the therapist through the art object, which provides a focus for discussion and analysis.
The therapist and client then work together in trying to understand the client's personal process and the
product of the session. Art Therapy can be a very powerful process, which may enable long buried
feelings to come to the surface and be acknowledged.

"It is the capacity of art to be a bridge between the inner world and outer reality which gives the image
the role as mediator. The image mediates between unconscious and conscious, present and future
aspects of a client." (The Handbook of Art Therapy: Caroline Case and Tessa Dalley, p 97).
Art materials may vary and include paint, pastels, clay, crayon, collage, ink, koki's, sand, charcoal,
different paper, board, objects, containers etc. Each art material and process may evoke different feeling
states and the work created often reflects the unconscious forces and experiences that shape a
person's life.
Clients may use the art materials in any way they wish provided it is safe for the client, the studio and
the therapist. There is not a specific structure or format to an individual Art Therapy session as each
session is determined by both the style of the therapist and the personality and of the client, or where the
client is at in their life. For example one client may enter the Art Therapy room and want to make art imme-
diately whereas another client may struggle to get started with the art. A client may prefer to talk before
browsing the art materials or talk simultaneously whilst creating an image. A child may want the therapist
to make art with him/her. A client may even talk the entire session and not venture toward the art materials.
What is important is the way in which a client uses the space as this is useful material to explore in
relation to the clients inner world.
Absolutely not! Knowledge of art is NOT a prerequisite for attending Art Therapy, and no judgments are
made on the quality of the work produced. Everyone can make art and use it to explore their thoughts and
feelings. Art Therapy can even be used with clients who do not have the coordinating capacity to hold a
crayon or brush. For such clients the emphasis is placed on activities using water, sand, or other materials
that provide an avenue for communication. It is unlikely that the client will use every available moment in the
session for the making of art. The moments of not-doing are equally important in Art Therapy sessions,
and may be equivalent to the silences within verbal therapy sessions.
The Art Therapist and client work together in exploration of what the image may mean or represent for
the client. It is important to work with the client in order to not jump to conclusions around what the image
may mean for the therapist. Within the relationship between the therapist and client, the images may elicit
fears, associations, desires, fantasies, hopes, dreams and memories. The role of the Art Therapist is to
create a safe space in which the voice of the image can be heard and understood. This enables reflection
and understanding and the working through of issues and concerns.
No, Art Therapy is not only for children! Art Therapy is beneficial for all people of all ages and provides
an opportunity for adults and children to get in touch with their inherent creativity, a quality that everyone
has.
Art Therapy is available for both individual and group settings. Both settings elicit different experiences
and dynamics and are useful depending on what the client's need is.
I personally usually work non-directive for individual sessions in that I allow and encourage clients to
work at their own pace on their own ideas and themes. Group sessions are often more directive and
theme-based, but this ultimately depends on the client group and type of workshop it is, and therapist's
style and preference.
•  Art is a universal language that transcends language barriers and cultural differences
•  Communication is a key aspect of therapy. Using art as a means of communication and self expression
   is less threatening than using only words and talking. Self expression is an essential ingredient in
   psycho-emotional development
•  Using art may be an easier way to express emotions
•  Provides an opportunity for adults to play; a freedom that is often lost
•  Provides an opportunity for children to play; something that may be difficult especially if there is anxiety
   or haven taken on adult responsibilities too early in life
•  Re-engagement with an individual's creative abilities - a process that encourages exploration and
   emotional growth
•  Relaxation and spontaneity in being creative
•  Active participation for absolutely everyone including physically disabled
•  Confidence building, self-validation, realization of one's potential
•  Freedom to make decisions and experiment/test out ideas creatively
•  Insight, self-awareness, self reflection
•  Ordering of experiences visually (creatively) and verbally
•  Creative problem solving especially when something turns out 'wrong'
Art Therapy has proved to be helpful for a range of clients and is suitable for adults and children of all
ages. Various client groups that I have worked with include people with Anxiety, Depression, Emotional
and Behaviour problems, Autism, ADHD, Indigo and Crystal children, Developmental Delay, Refugees,
Trauma victims, HIV Aids and orphans, Educators, learning difficulties, Department of Education, Correc-
tional Services and Psychiatry.       
Art Therapists may work in a variety of different settings both with individual clients and groups. Settings
may include private practice, family settings, psychiatry, hospitals, special and mainstream education,
learning difficulties, clinics or day centers, social services and prisons. In fact Art Therapy is so versatile
that I have even developed workshops for corporates for teambuilding! (See www.art-cafe.co.za)
Individual Art Therapy: It is recommended that clients attend regular Art Therapy sessions at a consistent
time each week. The duration of the sessions are 45-50 minutes per session for children and adults
respectfully. (50 minutes = a traditional Freudian hour)
Group sessions: range depending on the number of clients and the type of group/workshop.
Art Therapy was a term first used in Britain in 1942. Two strands developed - one was a sensitive form
of art teaching, the other as an aspect of psychotherapy through art. Throughout the 1940's, many artists
became interested in using their skills with patients in hospitals and clinics. The development of post-
graduate training in Art Therapy then began in the 1970's, which further induced greater professional
credibility.
A huge difference! Art Therapy is an engagement in a process of art making in the presence of a trained
Art Therapist who provides a safe and nurturing non-judgemental space. The focus is on the process of
art making instead of only the art image.
Art lessons involve learning and development of art techniques such as painting and drawing. The focus
is on the end product in terms of its aesthetic value. There may be judgments or expectations around the
art product in wanting it to be 'good' or 'right'.
ART THERAPY IN SOUTH AFRICA
No, there is currently NO formal registered Art Therapy training in South Africa. Due to the strong interest
and demand for Art Therapy in this country - an Art Therapy 5 day Intensve course has been developed
which aims at introducing you to the internationally developed Art Therapy practice.
The course is targeted at adults (professionals, mental health practitioners, therapists, social workers,
educators, students and artists) who are interested in and want to learn more about Art Therapy.
The skills and experiences gained by participants can be adapted to and incorporated in many work
spheres, as well as in one's personal capacity.
The 5-Day Art Therapy Training course is facilitated twice a year for 5 consecutive days so that people
who don't live in Jhb can fly up and attend. This is the first choice. However if you cannot travel and or
take off work, the 2nd choice is to buy the Art Therapy Training manual that is worked through over the
5-day course. please note that I say this is 2nd choice as the experiential component of the Art Therapy
process is irreplaceable in terms of the learning experience gained!
The Art Therapy manual can be purchased online and can either be fetched (if in JHB) or posted.
The cost of the manual is 75% of the current course fee. The manual includes both art therapy and
psychodynamic theory, extra reading material and daily worksheets, as well as a book list and glossary
of all art therapy (and related) terms. The experiential art making exercises are not included in the manual
as at a later stage you can still attend the course and benefit first hand from the experiential. Please email
sami@arttherapy.co.za to place your order.
Yes absolutely. The cost of your manual would then be subtracted from the current course fee at time
of actual attendance of the course, so you would only pay the difference in cost. Also, if the manual
has been updated since you purchased it, you can upgrade your manual upon commencement of the
course at a minimal extra charge.
There is no formal recognized Art Therapy correspondence Training course. Perhaps an important
hindrance is that human interaction is a vital component in the Art Therapy process. Making art in the
presence of a qualified Art Therapist is essential in the process of working through and making sense of
one's images. When training to be an Art Therapist, the hands on experience of making art in the presence
of an Art Therapist cannot be replicated through correspondence.
Yes. Art Therapy currently falls under the category of 'Single medium therapy' with the HPCSA.
Yes. After attendance of Art Therapy sessions, one can submit claims and get reimbursed by medical aid.
Having completed an internationally registered Art Therapy Masters training, qualified Arts Therapists
need to undergo a registration process with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa)
which include some of or all of the following in order to call oneself an ART THERAPIST:
•  Case studies: written and video presentations
•  Written and oral exams
•  Clinical work for the board with specific client groups
•  Adequate clinical hours of Art Therapy experience
ART THERAPY INTERNATIONALLY
•  Undergraduate degree (E.g. BA, Social Work etc)
•  Art experience and art portfolio
•  Psychology related background
•  Experience in working with people (professional or community work)
•  Personal therapy
Art Therapy is a post graduate and masters training internationally which can either be completed over a
2-year full time or 3-year part-time period. Art Therapy is available in many different overseas countries
including America, Australia, London, Ireland, Israel, and New Zealand.

I completed my training in London at the University of Hertfordshire. The 3 main modules of the training
included: Theory, Experiential work and Clinical Placement, which included the following:

1. Theory:
Lectures and peer presentations.
Dissertation and Papers on various topics each year.
Some of my favourite theorist who have contributed to the study of Art Therapy include Melanie Klein,
Donald Winnicott, Wilfred Bion and Joy Schaverian

2. Experiential Workshops including:
•  Short term workshops: Art, Clay and Drama therapy
•  Training Group: 2-year weekly psychodynamic Art Therapy group
•  Peer-led Art Therapy workshops
•  Psychodynamic based weekly large Art Therapy group with both full time and part-time students

   Studio Practice: Once a week, 2 Art Therapy studio's and art materials were available for self-directed
   art work.

   Art exhibition: Students put together and displayed their images and description of one's image making
   process over the course of the 2-year training

3. Clinical placement/Internship (differs per student)

   1st Year: I worked at a mainstream primary School, individually with 7 boys aged 7 and 8 years. The boys
    were diagnosed with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD).

   2nd Year: I worked at a psychiatric adult mental health hospital for adults with psychosis. I facilitated
   both individual and group sessions with adults with acute and chronic psychosis.

Supervision included:
•  Individual: Weekly supervision on clinical placement
•  Group: Clinical supervision at university
•  Supervisor visits at clinical placements.

Personal Therapy:
An essential requirement of the Art Therapy training is to attend personal weekly therapy. One needs to
simultaneously be working through one's own experiences and personal process within a professionally
safe facilitated space on an ongoing basis.
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