Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy (51939)

Course Accreditation & Content

Government Accreditation

1. The Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling (51942) is nationally recognised and are part of the National Training Information Service (NTIS). This Diploma course is equivalent to a TAFE Diploma.

2. Phoenix Institute is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutes and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS code 02701K). The 1 year delivery format is approved for international students.

Professional Accreditation

1. The Diploma is accredited by the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT). IICT provides membership and professional indemnity insurance for practitioners. (www.iict.com.au)

2. The Diploma is accredited by the Australianian Association of Holistic and Transpersonal Counsellors (AAHTC). AAHTC provides membership and professional indemnity insurance for practitioners (www.aahtc.org.au).

Course Structure

The Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy (51939) requires the successful completion of 6 competencies.

For effective training and assessment the Diploma is delivered in 12 Modules containing aspects of each unit of competency as indicated in the table below. Students must successfully complete all 12 Modules to complete all 6 competencies. The following table indicates the location of the 6 competencies in the delivery of the 12 modules.

The Diploma is delivered in the following 12 modules:

1: Foundations of Transpersonal Studies: The Spectrum of Consciousness Content: History of transpersonal concepts, theory, research and practice from 19th century to present. Analysis of differences between the transpersonal and other major healing paradigms in psychotherapy and counselling.

Presentation of the shamanic model of practice as a foundation paradigm.
Exploration of the notion of a ‘spectrum' pf consciousness through psychobiology, religious, psycho-spiritual and philosophical systems.
Practical exploration of the spectrum of consciousness in relation to the phenomenology of experience.
Application of findings to personal life transitions utilizing transpersonal concepts.
Understanding the nature of healing [versus curing].

2. Foundations of Art Therapy: History and Core Concepts of AT 1: 

Coverage of the major approaches to AT in the 20th century. The meaning and application of transpersonal approaches. The shamanic template.

Content: History of art therapy: An overview
Major paradigms in art therapy: Psychoanalytic, psycho-spiritual [E.g., Steiner], psychiatric, humanistic and existential
Art, culture and symbols
The social and cultural contexts of art and art therapy
Body, mind and human action in art and healing
Diagnostic/interpretive versus process approaches
The shamanic paradigm and art therapy

3. Foundations of Art Therapy 2: Transpersonal Art Therapy: 

Concepts, theory and practice in transpersonal work. Existential-phenomenological factors in therapy. Health, illness, disease and curing. Self-realization, authenticity and art.

Content: Core concepts and theory in transpersonal art therapy
Existential-phenomenological factors
Art therapy as process dialogue
The nature of healing 
The shamanic imperative: Soul work
Techniques of soul work

4. The Symbolic Thread:  Exploring the structure and dynamics of the psyche in ways related to a central concern of transpersonal work: self-realization. Content: Structure and process in the human psyche Mapping the psyche through art Mask work and related archetypal work Art, image and divination Art, dreams and healing

5. Poetics of the Lifecycle: 

Exploring the lifecycle and the specific challenges associated with its developmental phases.

Content: Overview of human development phases
The lifecycle as the journey of the soul
Life transitions and life crises in art therapy
Dialogues with key attributes and persons in the life-cycle
Cycles of life and death: Ritual and myth explorations

6. Mental Health, Art and Transpersonal Experience 1: 

Mainstream approaches to mental health and human experience. Transpersonal approaches to issues concerning life, death and self- realization. Madness, creativity and the mental health. The counter-culture in contemporary professional life.

Content: Major paradigms of mental illness
DSMIV unpacked: relevance to art therapy practice
Madness and creativity: Art, genius and the symbolic world
Alternative pathways for understanding and managing madness
Exploring the work of R.D. Laing and John Weir Perry
Art as medicine for the psyche

7. Mental Health, Art and Transpersonal Experience 2: 

Transpersonal crises and emergence defined. Methods for working with these factors in art therapy. Notions of the ‘Edge’ and mapping the spaces in which transpersonal crises emerge and are resolved.

Content: Transpersonal approaches to understanding ‘trouble with living’
The notions of spiritual emergence 
The notion of spiritual crisis
Madness in the context of the journey of the soul
Shamanic perspectives on madness and its apotheosis
The limits to art therapy in mental health arenas: Practical and ethical boundaries

8: Counselling and Communication Skills in Art Therapy Practice 1.  Content: Art as self- expression and communication Art: moving beyond the spoken word and the gesture Symbolism in interpersonal relations Fundamentals of effective communication in counselling practice Basic counselling techniques The phenomenology of human experience

Transpersonal counselling: self-realization as primary outcome
State-specific techniques in counselling
Extended empathy and encounter in transpersonal work
Transpersonal resources and exchange

9: Counselling and Communication Skills in Art Therapy Practice 2. 

Continued from module 8. content: Art as self- expression and communication
Art: moving beyond the spoken word and the gesture
Symbolism in interpersonal relations
Fundamentals of effective communication in counselling practice
Basic counselling techniques
The phenomenology of human experience
Transpersonal counselling: self-realization as primary outcome
State-specific techniques in counselling
Extended empathy and encounter in transpersonal work
Transpersonal resources and exchange

10. Transpersonal Art Therapy Practice. 

Presentation and evaluation of major practice paradigms in art therapy. Developing a personal practice style. Individual and group modalities. Community art therapy. Re-affirming the transpersonal and especially the shamanic template. Case studies and practical work.

Content: Major concepts and theories concerning art therapy practice
Working with individuals, groups and communities
Transpersonal models in art therapy practice.
Role playing and simulations
Demonstrations of healing techniques
Healing strategies

11. Professional Practice Issues.

Content: Art therapy practice as an option in Australia
Professional and academic responses to transpersonal art therapy
Relationships with other professions and professionals
Networking
Duty of care legislation
Ethical parameters of practice
Professional indemnity, public liability and other legal issues

12: Practicum

Content: Placement in an appropriate agency for acquisition of experience and skills concerned with agency structure, service delivery protocols, legislative framework [where relevant]

Experience in direct service delivery to individuals and/or groups and/or communities
Supervision by appropriate agency personnel
Analysis of agency work in terms of a written report
Specific and separate report on case work

Art Therapy Module Outcomes
In every case, for both courses, a required outcome is as follows:
Students must:
• Show competence in knowledge of the core concepts, theory and research in the module
• Show competence in utilising materials and skills taught in the module
• Be able to demonstrate initiative and flexibility in the application of knowledge and skills
• Understand the conditions under which skills and strategies are applied; limits and boundary conditions
• Be able to express their competences both practically and in verbal and written forms
• Pursue self-development in the use and mastery of relevant transpersonal techniques

Requirements to achieve a qualification
In order to qualify for the diploma in transpersonal art therapy, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• Attendance at all lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. Where attendance is not possible through circumstances beyond the student’s control, then suitable makeup work must be completed according to a set schedule. Minimum attendance, allowing for valid excuses [e.g., medical certificates] is 90% of all class sessions.
• Completion of all written assignments.
• Completion of all case studies relate to both work with individuals, clinically, and work with groups.
• Completion of agency placement [practicum: 50 hours]
• Demonstration of appropriate appropriate interpersonal skills and mental health status in class and clinical sessions, which allow competent professional practice.

There are no age, gender or ethnicity restrictions.

Assessment 
The process of assessment throughout the course is continuous and addresses students’ performance in the following ways:

• Through evaluation of written assignments which address the concepts, theory and practice of transpersonal work and which are required for very module throughout the course.
• Through evaluation of written case studies which are required for practice-oriented modules.
• Through observations and ratings of interpersonal skills and development of professional counselling skills in role playing and clinical practice sessions.
• Through observations and ratings of students’ performance in tutorials in written and verbal modalities.
• Through observation and assessment of students’ performance in workplace environments …for example, relevant agencies.
• Through written and oral examinations at the end of the course.

RPL (Prior learning)
This is conducted on a case-by-case basis in which the content of prior learning, whether it is formal academic or other industry training, is assessed and can be translated into course credit. This based on detailed transcripts, curriculum statements, course notes and readings and job descriptions as well as examples of workplace reports produced.

Students must complete an RPL Application Form

Transpersonal study is a self development course as well as a professional training.  IKON aims to produce new kinds of practitioners who not only deliver superior services but also offer leadership in social change, community building and creating bridges between cultures within Australia and internationally.

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