Exploring Art Psychotherapy

Meena Bazaar 2017.

I saw Meena Bazaar at Summerhall Arts. A collaborative painting by nine women living in a homeless shelter in Delhi market.

They were given art materials in and encouraged to use their imagination inspired by their surroundings. The project supported by Art Reach India. This motivated me to investigate art therapy.

I have one year to complete in Graphic Design and Communication.

Art psychotherapy helps anyone of any age without any necessity for the patient to have artistic skills. Practitioners must have an MSc in Art Psychotherapy.

Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh offers one of the few courses in the UK. Find details here.

The admission process is rigorous. A suitable degree, a digital portfolio of twelve images in different media. One thousand hours work experience. Good communication skills. Personal experience of therapy, a short course in psychotherapy and the recommended reading list.

I attended the open day. Graphic Design is relevant; the tutor believed my veterinary degree brings valuable perspectives

The British Association of Art Therapists website is very informative. The psychotherapist and patient use art to articulate, talking is optional. An opportunity to express thoughts hard to put into words.

The Artworks repository is being built in Edinburgh for art overflowing from the National Galleries. Regenerating the area, with community spaces, allowing people to engage with the collections.

The Art Works Edinburgh

My ambition would be to qualify then volunteer for organisations like Artworks and Artreach India.

Example trainee art therapists work

This plan excites me. It gives me purpose. I have an unusual perspective to offer. Despite the growing need, jobs may be difficult to find. Charity work is excellent to gain experience. Many schools employ art psychotherapists to assist children's mental health. I miss the caring, healing aspect of veterinary medicine and would embrace this challenge.

My friend John enjoying exploring my drawing and colouring tools, now in his eighties, he hasn't done this since he was five.