Art Therapy MA

Module content will include:

1. Research and professional practice: evidence-based practice, being a critical consumer of research, practice development and research.
2. Key concepts and issues in social research: research topics and research questions, answering questions with data, validity and reliability of data, qualitative and quantitative data, description, exploration, finding connections, formulating and testing hypotheses, populations and sampling, interpretivism and positivism.
3. Research traditions and designs: ethnography, survey, experiment, mixed method, research process.
4. Gathering and analysing data: Observation, questionnaires, interviews. Data analysis and  drawing conclusions.
5. Literature review: searching, locating, reading and summarising, reviewing and critiquing, organising, synthesising, and using the literature.
6. Preparing the research proposal: Identifying research questions or hypothesis for chosen topic. Designing a study to address the question(s). Data gathering and recording, data analysis. Considering alternative approaches: critical analysis of alternative methods of research to the chosen approach.  Knowledge transfer and strategies for dissemination.
7. Ethical frameworks, constraints, data protection, confidentiality and human rights.
8. Preparing an application for ethical approval.

The aims of the module include:

1. To provide a comprehensive introduction to social research with regard to key concepts, approaches, and techniques.
2. To facilitate the preparation of a research proposal for the dissertation.
3. To enable students to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to their research topic.

Module content will include:

1. Contemporary and original research exploring a range of psychodynamic theories and their relevance to art therapy
2. Historical and contemporary perspectives on art psychotherapy; theorists; models of art therapy; psychotherapeutic interventions; symbolic imagery.
3. The role of the image and its application in practice.
4. Experiential learning; different approaches to the use of visual art; practice and process of image-making; group dynamics in action.

The aims of the module are:

1. To enable students to gain a historical and contemporary understanding of theoretical perspectives of art therapy.
2. To develop students’ skills in being able to engage in, analyse and evaluate the art-making process and its value in art therapy.
3. To enable students to experience art-making processes and explore aspects in relation to art therapy theories.

Module content will include:

1. Utilising experiential learning; working to the HCPC Standards of Proficiency; understanding of how therapeutic frame is applied with particular client group/setting and more widely vulnerable clients; observation and practice of professional standards and values.  Articulating Art Therapy.
2. Working within a team; understanding of organisational policies and local implementation of government drivers; understanding of professional limits and referral procedures; maintenance of a safe environment.  Engagement with assessment, care planning and evaluation; record keeping; experience of supervision.
3. The role of supervision; giving and receiving feedback; establishing boundaries; beginnings, middles and endings; recording supervision.

The aims of the module are:

1. To enable students to practise the skills of art therapy within a professional setting: identify the skills to work within a multi-disciplinary team, articulating art therapy to both service users and other professionals.
2. To develop students’ skills in being able to analyse and evaluate appropriate image-making techniques, for use with clients, in order to achieve a therapeutic outcome.
3. To enable students to develop the skills to understand supervisory and reflective processes in practice.

Module content will include:

1. Emerging issues in current Art Therapy theory and practice.
2. Creative expression of theory & practice
3. Searching of databases and other sources, literature review, reading, critiquing, organisation of found materials.
4. Methodologies appropriate to Art Therapy; research design; data collection. Ethical frameworks; ethical approval process; protection of data.

The aims of the module are:

1. To enable students to demonstrate their understanding of the principles and practice of Art Therapy by exploring an issue relevant to the students' professional Art Therapy practice.
2. To enable students to gather data and use evidence to develop practice and to contribute to the developing body of knowledge of Art Therapy and Art Therapy practice.
3. To enable students to explore and develop visual methodologies and encourage use of innovative creative methods.