Overview
The terms art therapy and play therapy are used by different professions and occupations to mean different things. This can cause confusion for counselling clinicians when choosing quality postgraduate training in art and play therapy that is suitable for a counselling context and grounded in core principles associated with therapeutic safety and clinical rigour.
This workshop introduces the Academy’s unique and comprehensive clinical art and play therapy training program which has been designed specifically for qualified counselling clinicians who want to gain knowledge and skills in applying art and play mediums, methods, and modalities to enhance therapeutic outcomes with clients of all ages.
Aims
The aim of this introductory workshop is to introduce the core theoretical, conceptual, and practical components involved in clinical art and play therapy practice. It focuses on understanding the importance of safely and effectively facilitating symbolic, metaphoric, and multisensory modes of communication to assess and address a wide range of psychological issues and needs.
The workshop also provides you with an opportunity to take part in practical exercises involving several art and play therapy mediums, methods, and modalities used in the initial stages of the therapeutic process. These include directive art and play therapy activities used in building the therapeutic relationship, conducting an intake assessment, and engaging in case formulation using a whole person approach. The activities include:
· family play aquariums
· family play genograms
· image cards and image card-making
· mandala-making
· playdoh, clay, plasticine, paint, charcoal, pastels
· projective drawing techniques
· puppets
· sandplay figurines and symbols
· sensory processing techniques
· somatic awareness techniques
· storytelling and story-making
Case examples of child, adolescent, and adult clients are presented to illustrate the theoretical, conceptual, and practical applications outlined in the workshop. The workshop also includes interviews with Registered Clinical Art & Play Therapists (ClinAPTs)™ who share their experiences and insights about applying the theoretical frameworks and practical activities outlined in this workshop.
Why this workshop?
Art and play therapy is not simply about engaging clients in fun activities — it involves evidence-informed therapeutic modalities that access symbolic, emotional, and sensory dimensions of experience, offering profound avenues for communication when verbal expression is limited or inaccessible. This hands-on workshop will:
· Provide you with essential theory and practical skills to safely and confidently apply art and play therapy in your clinical work.
· Introduce you to effective techniques for building the therapeutic relationship, conducting assessments, and formulating cases with children, adolescents, and adults.
· Equip you with practical exercises you can begin applying immediately in your practice.
Delivery and support
· This workshop is delivered online and is self-paced so you will be able to view the materials and complete the workshop activities in your own time.
· You will receive a Welcome Starter Pack in the mail with the art and play materials required to participate in the art and play therapy activities covered in the workshop.
· You have the option of interacting with the presenter by asking questions or leaving comments via the online discussion tab or via email (whichever you prefer). We also provide you with the option of using video emails if you prefer a more visual interface with the presenter.
Start date
Anytime
Finish date
You will have 4 months to complete the workshop activities from the time you receive your Welcome Starter Pack and login details.
What’s included
· A Welcome Starter Pack with art and play therapy resources sent to you via mail (postal tracking number provided).
· Exclusive access to the Academy’s online Learning Management System (LMS). · Self-paced access to workshop presentation.
· Digital copy of presentation handouts which can be downloaded and printed.
· Online Q&A with the presenter.
· Resource list to assist you prepare to setup your clinical art and play therapy space.
· Reading list of key art and play therapy texts, articles, and research papers.
Learning Outcomes
· Define clinical art and play therapy and distinguish it from related fields of practice.
· Identify the key developmental stages of play and how they relate to physical, emotional, and social development across the lifespan.
· Outline the fundamental neurodevelopmental and neurosequential principles that guide art and play therapy practice.
· Identify the influence of the “image of the child” on clinical practice.
· Identify the key features of a whole person approach to case conceptualisation.
· Summarise the main components of directive and non-directive (child-centred) art and play therapy approaches.
· Identify the unique therapeutic and expressive powers of art and play and how they are used in clinical practice.
· Identify the benefits of art and play therapy with different age groups and different needs.
· Identify key historical figures and developments in art and play therapy practice.
· Depict the basic components and features of the Academy’s theoretical and conceptual framework to guide clinical art and play therapy practice.
· Describe the basic principles of emotional safety when using art and play therapy.
· Identify relevant art and play therapy activities to engage clients based on their age and individual preferences.
· Identify different art and play therapy techniques and activities used in case formulation and the intake assessment process.
· Identify key considerations when using art and play therapy with 3 different age groups – children, young people, and adults.
· Outline the main principles and steps involved in introducing and unpacking art and play therapy products with clients when using a directive approach.
· Identify the main resources and considerations required when setting up a directive playroom and/or a mobile art and play therapy kit.
· Locate relevant art and play therapy literature, research, resources, and support.
· Respond to common misconceptions about using art and play therapy in clinical counselling contexts.
· Summarise key evidence-based practice principles and how they are applied to clinical art and play therapy practice.
· Summarise the main ethical and legal considerations when assessing and documenting art and play therapy sessions.
Presenter(s)
Dr Rosa Bologna
About the presenter(s)
Dr. Rosa Bologna is the founder and director of the Academy of Art & Play Therapy. She is a registered psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA), a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS), and a member of the American Psychological Association (APA). She is also an accredited clinical supervisor and is on the British Psychological Society’s Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors (RAPPS).
Rosa is a qualified and experienced trainer, assessor, and curriculum developer in the Australian Vocational Education Training (VET) sector and holds full membership with the British Psychological Society's Division of Academics, Researchers, and Teachers in Psychology (DARTP). She currently holds an honorary appointment as an Adjunct Fellow at the Transdisciplinary (TD) School at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she provides Higher Degree by Research (HDR) supervision to students undertaking a Master’s by Research or PhD.
Rosa is committed to advancing clinical art and play therapy and has been instrumental in developing postgraduate education in this area. Her expertise spans curriculum development, clinical supervision, and innovative teaching methodologies that bridge psychology, creative therapies, and transdisciplinary research. Through her leadership at the Academy, she is dedicated to guiding and supervising counselling clinicians enhance their skills and deepen their expertise in clinical art and play therapy.
Notes
Please contact the Academy at
[email protected] for a copy of our Student Handbook, which includes workshop details and the application form.
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NB: This workshop is the first in our introductory workshop series. The Academy offers a full training program, including pathways to Masters and PhD qualifications through our partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
For more information please visit our website: https://www.artandplay.com.au