Artists have been using art to express themselves for centuries – Vincent Van Gogh famously used his art to cope with mental illness throughout his life, and Edvard Munch is widely regarded to have inspired a whole movement of expressionism in art connecting to mood and internal emotional life.

Modern science and psychology has helped to uncover the benefits of creative arts in promoting positive mental health outcomes.  There is growing evidence about the power the artistic process has to help us connect with emotions and experiences, and by doing so face life’s dilemmas.

Learn how expression through the arts can be used to enhance the therapeutic process by using a person-centred framework. You’ll learn the newly-emerging theory in this area of counselling, combined with hands-on experience that will build your counselling skills.

While this course has proven beneficial for counsellors to work with clients to express themselves, if you’re a teacher, social worker, chaplain, psychologist, or youth worker, you’ll also be able to apply the skills you learn in your current role.

9 reasons to study a Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapies at Murdoch

• Learn in a highly experiential environment at our purpose-built creative arts therapies spaces at our Mandurah Campus.
• Have the option to complete most units at either the Perth or Mandurah campus.
• Study the only university Creative Arts Therapies course in Western Australia.
• Study on your own terms – we offer flexible study arrangements allowing you to study full-time or part-time.
• Take advantage of our scholarships such as the Murdoch University Academic Excellence Award.
• Specialise your degree depending on your career goals, through a choice of electives.
• Understand the breadth and depth working with the creative arts brings to the therapeutic relationship.
• Develop your current qualifications and training to take part in an international community of Creative Arts Therapy professionals that is expanding and strengthening nationally and globally.
• Experience a deepening connection and understanding of your creative and expressive processes that will enhance your skills as a therapist in any professional practice.

Develop your skills

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:

• using creative arts therapies practices in your therapeutic work
• engaging creatively with children and adolescents seeking mental health support
• exploring your professional strengths and motivations through the use of creative arts materials and methods
• engaging in creative arts therapy interventions experientially through small group work
• reading and talking about contemporary research, theory and professional practice of Creative Arts Therapists internationally.

Creative arts therapies are a form of psychotherapy currently growing in acceptance and popularity in Australia and globally. Counsellors and therapists using artistic modalities such as visual arts, music, dance/movement and drama may work with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups and families to promote expression, self-awareness and insight. Work settings include schools, hospitals, aged care, crisis centres, wellness centres, detention facilities, remand facilities and addiction treatment.  Experienced professionals may also utilise art therapy in private practice.

Combined with your existing experience and qualifications, your career as a Creative Arts Therapist can begin anywhere and be used in any role where building relationships is a key component. Your skills can be applied in roles such as:

• Counsellor/Advocate in a crisis centre
• Children’s Therapist in a family bereavement service
• Group Worker in a correctional facility
• Addictions Specialist in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation service.

You may already be in your dream job and this qualification will provide a stepping-stone to enhancing your skills and increasing your potential.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australia Counselling Association, and is recognised by the Australian New Zealand Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) for Tier 3 Level membership.