Mind Body Education
Award-Winning Training For Holistic Therapists
Master Practitioner of Holistic Art Therapy Training Pathway - Course Content
This comprehensive, holistic training course has a strong emphasis on nurturing the overall wellbeing, harmony and balance of the whole person – body, mind and spirit.
Holistic Art Therapy emphasizes the importance of the mind-body connection and recognizes that creativity can be a powerful tool for self-expression and exploration. Through various art mediums and techniques, clients are encouraged to tap into their inner wisdom and unlock their innate healing potential. By engaging in the creative process, individuals can gain insights, release emotions, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
Holistic Art Therapy is about providing tools, skills, resources, information, inspiration and support in safe therapeutic environments as a catalyst to self-empowerment and self-healing.
Rather than analysing, interpreting, advising or prescribing, the Holistic Art Therapist is an educator. The desired outcome is that the client becomes aware of the issues that are limiting them from being happy and healthy and equipped with the understanding, skills and confidence to make positive changes in their life.
Holistic Art Therapy emphasizes the importance of the mind-body connection and recognizes that creativity can be a powerful tool for self-expression and exploration. Through various art mediums and techniques, clients are encouraged to tap into their inner wisdom and unlock their innate healing potential. By engaging in the creative process, individuals can gain insights, release emotions, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
The Holistic Art Therapist creates a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without the fear of being judged or misunderstood. Instead of imposing solutions, the therapist guides the client in discovering their own solutions and empowering them to take ownership of their healing journey.
By fostering self-awareness and self-compassion, Holistic Art Therapy enables clients to break free from limiting beliefs and patterns, leading to a greater sense of fulfilment and well-being. The process of creating art becomes a form of meditation, allowing the mind to quieten and the soul to speak its truth. As clients gain confidence in their creative expression, they also gain confidence in facing life's challenges, making positive changes, and embracing their authentic selves.
In the journey of Holistic Art Therapy, clients not only find healing but also a renewed sense of purpose and joy. Through self-discovery and creative exploration, they learn to harness their inner strengths and resources to live more authentically and harmoniously. The ultimate goal is to empower individuals to live their lives with intention, resilience, and a deep sense of connection to themselves and the world around them.
Course Duration: 400 hours
(40 modules x 10 hours each Plus 10 hours of clinical practice.
Every Module includes a theoretical session to explore ideas, evidence-based research and theories, as well as a practical session to experience and develop art therapy techniques. Practical sessions include hands-on practice in the medium, exploration of the therapeutic benefits and discussions on ways to assist the client in interpreting the creative experience and the end result. Holistic counselling skills are developed throughout the course.
(40 modules x 10 hours each Plus 10 hours of clinical practice.
Every Module includes a theoretical session to explore ideas, evidence-based research and theories, as well as a practical session to experience and develop art therapy techniques. Practical sessions include hands-on practice in the medium, exploration of the therapeutic benefits and discussions on ways to assist the client in interpreting the creative experience and the end result. Holistic counselling skills are developed throughout the course.
By the end of this course, graduates will be well-equipped, confident and qualified to practice as professional Holistic Art Therapists in Australia and New Zealand. They will have created resources and made plans that will assist them in setting up their own private practice. They will also be able to join professional organizations and associations, get insurance, and use the title Holistic Art Therapist and Art Therapist and the letters MBEArtTherp.
Course Content
Module 1: Principles of Art Therapy
Practical: Drawing (Coloured Pencils)
Practical: Drawing (Coloured Pencils)
Module 2: Stress and the Fight or Flight Response
Practical: Mixed Media Collage
Practical: Mixed Media Collage
Module 3: Anatomy of a Brain
Practical: Sculpture (Clay)
Practical: Sculpture (Clay)
Module 4: Assessment and Diagnosis in Holistic Art Therapy
Practical: Painting (Acrylics)
Practical: Painting (Acrylics)
Module 5: Colour Therapy
Practical: Painting (Finger Painting)
Practical: Painting (Finger Painting)
Module 6: Principles of Positive Psychology
Practical: Drawing (Charcoal)
Practical: Drawing (Charcoal)
Module 7: Working with Offenders, Abusers and Aggressors
Practical: Sculpture (Mixed Media Assemblage)
Practical: Sculpture (Mixed Media Assemblage)
Module 8: Working with Self-Harm and Eating Disorders
Practical: Body Art
Practical: Body Art
Module 9: The Mind-Body Connection
Practical: Mask Making
Practical: Mask Making
Module 10: Art and the Development of Intuition
Practical: Painting on canvas (Acrylics)
Practical: Painting on canvas (Acrylics)
Module 11: Mindfulness
Practical: Painting (watercolours)
Practical: Painting (watercolours)
Module 12: Holistic Counselling Skills for Art Therapists (Part One)
Practical: Photography and digital art project
Practical: Photography and digital art project
Module 13: Visualisation & Vision Boards
Practical: Mixed Media Collage – Vision Boards
Practical: Mixed Media Collage – Vision Boards
Module 14: Holistic Counselling Skills for Art Therapists (Part Two)
Practical: Drawing (Pastels / Crayons)
Practical: Drawing (Pastels / Crayons)
Module 15: Holistic Counselling Skills for Art Therapists (Part Three)
Practical: Papercraft Book Binding / Journal Making
Module 16: Menopause
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 17: Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
Module 18: Working with Adolescents
Practical: Mixed Media Collage
Module 19: The Art of Nature
Practical: Mandala Making (Natural and Found Materials)
Module 20: Holistic Counselling Skills for Art Therapists (Part Four)
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 21: Self-Healing Through Art
Practical: Drawing (Pastels)
Module 22: ADHD and the Autism Spectrum
Practical: Sculpture (Mixed Media Assemblage)
Module 23: Depression
Practical: Fiber Arts (Textile Collage)
Module 24: Gender Identities
Practical: Painting (Oil Paints)
Module 25: Exploring Spirituality in Art Therapy
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
Module 26: Sexuality
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 27: Emotion Work
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 28: Substance Abuse and Addiction
Practical: Painting (Finger Painting)
Module 29: Working with Victims of Abuse
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
Module 30: Grief and Loss
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 31: Anxiety
Practical: Sculpture (Mixed Media Assemblage)
Module 32: Working with Senior Adults
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 33: Art Therapy for Children
Practical: Painting (Finger Painting)
Module 34: Family Therapy
Practical: Sculpture (Clay)
Module 35: Educational, Medical and Corporate Settings
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
Module 36: Art Therapy for Mental Illness
Practical: Mask Making
Module 37: Chronic Illness and Pain
Practical:Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 38: Working with groups
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 39: Working with individuals
Practical: Drawing (Charcoal)
Module 40: Setting up Your Own Holistic Art Therapy Practice
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
Required Reading Books
1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
2. The Art Therapy Source Book by Cathy Malchiodi
3. Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Art Therapy Approach to Bilateral Body Mapping by Cornelia Elbrecht
4. Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen, Ivy Ross
5. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
6. The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
6. The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
Clinical Practice
Duration: 10 hours
In this module, students will have the opportunity to apply their holistic art therapy skills in a clinical setting.
Through a 10-hour clinical practice, participants will gain hands-on experience working with clients under the guidance of experienced practitioners.
A placement will be provided to ensure a structured and supportive learning environment. This practical component allows students to integrate their theoretical knowledge with real-world scenarios, honing their abilities to facilitate healing and growth through holistic art therapy. Students will have the chance to observe, interact, and engage with clients, putting their skills to the test and gaining invaluable insights into the dynamics of holistic art therapy in a clinical context.
In this module, students will have the opportunity to apply their holistic art therapy skills in a clinical setting.
Through a 10-hour clinical practice, participants will gain hands-on experience working with clients under the guidance of experienced practitioners.
A placement will be provided to ensure a structured and supportive learning environment. This practical component allows students to integrate their theoretical knowledge with real-world scenarios, honing their abilities to facilitate healing and growth through holistic art therapy. Students will have the chance to observe, interact, and engage with clients, putting their skills to the test and gaining invaluable insights into the dynamics of holistic art therapy in a clinical context.
Course Materials List
You will be provided with a materials list to make ordering from Officeworks easy.
However, you can purchase your materials wherever you choose.
If you shop at Office Works, the following list of required materials will cost in the vicinity of $300
You will use these materials in class and at home.
You will need:
However, you can purchase your materials wherever you choose.
If you shop at Office Works, the following list of required materials will cost in the vicinity of $300
You will use these materials in class and at home.
You will need:
Apron or art smock to protect your clothes (not included on your materials list)
A4 notebook (for making notes in class)
A3 sketchbook
A4 sketch pad
A3 Canvas pad
A4 Watercolour pad (cold-pressed or hot-pressed)
Charcoal pencils (soft, medium, and hard)
Vine charcoal sticks Kneaded eraser
Fixative spray (to set the charcoal)
Set of coloured pencils (high-quality artist-grade)
Pencil sharpener Eraser (white plastic eraser or kneaded eraser)
Soft pastels (a set of assorted colours)
Soft cloth or blending tools (tortillons or blending stumps)
Crayons (wax-based or oil pastel crayons)
Acrylic paint (assorted colours)
Paintbrushes (assorted sizes and shapes: flat, round, and detail brushes)
Canvas or acrylic paper pad
Palette (reusable)
Palette knife (for mixing colours)
Water container for cleaning brushes
Watercolour paint (artist-grade or student-grade)
Watercolour brushes (assorted sizes: round and flat)
Water container
Masking tape (for creating clean edges and borders)
Oil paint (assorted colours)
Oil painting brushes (synthetic brushes)
Linseed oil or painting medium (for thinning paint and creating glazes)
Odorless mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
2 x Das Air Hardening Modelling Clay