Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy
I have long had an interest in the therapeutic benefits of art and design. My art has been absolutely essential in helping me heal from the past relationship, separation and ongoing chronic health issues I have had since the pandemic. The last few years have really emphasised what I really like and don't like about the work I have been doing. I realised that I want to use my creativity to help people heal through the arts and allow them the space to express who they are without shame or discrimination.
My year in the PGDipCAT programme at Whitecliffe has been the best education experience I've ever had. I have never felt more supported, encouraged and accepted in an educational environment both by the staff and my classmates who I have formed strong relationships with. Each assignment has been fascinating and challenging. I have learnt so much, particularly about myself, but also feel I have barely scratched the surface of the world of Creative Arts Therapy. With a background in visual arts and design, stepping back into the academic world and having to express myself more with words has been a big learning curve. During the year my confidence in writing, articulating my thoughts in class and participating in modalities outside my comfort zone has grown exponentially.
This year at Māpura Studios I have moved from being a volunteer working with artists affected by stroke to a paid art tutor working with artists who have a wide range of disabilities. The next step is to become a registered clinical arts therapist by doing another two years of study to get my Masters in Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical). Adding postgraduate study alongside freelance work and single parenting has not been without its challenges. But it feels like such a natural segue for my career to take. My creativity has experienced a new kind of freedom with lots of experimentation and I am excited to see where it takes me.
Below are some images from my arts therapy creative journal and other creative exercises done in seminar. Because arts therapy can be deeply personal I have erased some areas of writing and am just letting the imagery speak for itself.
