Certificate of Art and Creative Therapies

Explore the transformative power of art and creative therapies. If you are involved in counselling, community service, health, or education, this course will empower you to promote healing and personal development through various creative outlets.

The Certificate of Art and Creative Therapies is a professional development course that examines the therapeutic process, encompassing music, writing, dance, reminiscence, visual arts, and crafts, to facilitate emotional expression, healing, and personal growth.

In this creative arts therapy course, you’ll learn about art’s role in trauma recovery, building self-awareness, and enhancing resilience through creative engagement. You’ll also learn about writing, music and movement as tools for well-being, emphasising techniques like journalling, poetry, sound healing, music and movement-based therapies for emotional release.

You will also learn to plan and conduct group sessions, adapt therapies to meet diverse cultural and emotional needs and maintain professional boundaries while practising inclusivity and respect.

On completion of this course, you will feel confident to design creative therapy programs, evaluate their impact, and develop tools for professional growth.

Printed learning materials may be available free to print for this course. Requests can be made by contacting us.

Course Structure

Unit 1 – Introduction to Art and Creative Therapies

Introduction to art and creative therapies
Principles of art and creative therapies
Benefits of art and creative therapies
Applications of art and creative therapies
Emotional expression and regulation
History of art therapy
Cultural influences on art therapy

Unit 2 – Creativity and Emotional Expression

Creativity and emotions
Processing emotions
Emotional regulation
Self-awareness through creativity
Creativity as a tool for resilience
Therapeutic process
Engaging the mind and the body
Art and trauma
Engaging the brain for healing
Processing and releasing emotions
Reframing through creativity
Building resilience and coping skills

Unit 3 – Visual Arts and Crafts

Visual arts as therapy
Drawing therapy
Painting therapy
Papercraft therapy
Scrapbooking therapy
Collage therapy
Self-expression through visual arts
Visual art therapy in action

Unit 4 – Writing for Wellbeing

Journaling therapy
Writing and emotional release
Writing and self-awareness
Gratitude journaling
Poetry therapy
Creative emotional expression
Reframing experiences
Building connection
Mindfulness and flow
Storytelling and personal growth
Understanding personal narratives
Reframing challenges
Self-awareness and identity
Guided writing exercises

Unit 5 – Music and Sound in Creative Therapy

Introduction to music therapy
Applications of music therapy
Why music therapy works
Sound healing
Sound healing techniques
Applications and benefits of sound healing
The power of rhythm
The emotional power of song
Soundscapes for emotional immersion
Practical activities in music therapy

Unit 6 – Movement-Based Creative Therapies

Introduction to dance and movement therapy
Benefits of dance and movement therapy
Body awareness
How emotions manifest in the body
Using movement for emotional expression
Non-verbal communication through movement
Releasing stored emotions
Trauma and movement
Techniques for emotional expression

Unit 7 – Group Facilitation in Creative Therapies

Planning group sessions
Conducting group sessions
Closing the session
Encouraging participation
Managing group dynamics
Adapting activities to diverse needs

Unit 8 – Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity

Cultural awareness and sensitivity
Understanding cultural influences
Culture and creativity
The role of culture in therapy
Adapting creative and therapeutic approaches
Culturally informed approaches
Understanding diversity in needs
Adapting for emotional needs
Respectful and inclusive practices
Creating a respectful environment
Practising inclusivity
Collaboration and connection
Addressing challenges respectfully

Unit 9 – Ethics and Professional Boundaries

Ethical principles in creative therapies
Client consent
Client confidentiality
Practical strategies
Self-care and boundaries
Emotional transference

Unit 10 – Application and Reflection

Designing a creative therapy program
Personal reflection
Professional growth
Tools and techniques for reflection
Evaluating creative therapy sessions
Improving evaluation practices

Estimated Duration

50 hours

Course Delivery and Start

Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online

Assessment

Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

Approval and Recognition

Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.

Printed Materials – Free to Print

Course materials for this program are available to print at no extra cost.

Career Outcomes

Professional Development for:

Counsellors
Teachers
Creative Therapists
Art Therapists
Therapists
Parents

It was an amazing experience overall.