Overview

While this Creative Arts Therapies course at Murdoch University has proven beneficial for counsellors to work with clients to express themselves, if you’re a teacher, social worker, chaplain, psychologist, or youth worker, you’ll also be able to apply the skills you learn in your current role. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapies may apply for admission to the Masters of Counselling and will be exempt from the units already completed which are common to both degrees. 

This course offers valuable benefits for counsellors in helping their clients express themselves. Teachers, social workers, chaplains, psychologists, or youth workers, can also apply the skills acquired in this course to their current role. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts can also pursue admission to the Master of Counselling program, with the advantage of exemption from the units already completed that are shared between both degrees.

Your future career

Creative arts therapies are a form of psychotherapy currently growing in acceptance and popularity in Australia and globally. Counsellors and therapists using artistic modalities such as visual arts, music, dance/movement and drama may work with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups and families to promote expression, self-awareness and insight. Work settings include schools, hospitals, aged care, crisis centres, wellness centres, detention facilities, remand facilities and addiction treatment.  Experienced professionals may also utilise art therapy in private practice.

Combined with your existing experience and qualifications, your career as a Creative Arts Therapist can begin anywhere and be used in any role where building relationships is a key component. Your skills can be applied in roles such as:

• Counsellor/advocate in a crisis centre

• Children’s therapist in a family bereavement service

• Group worker in a correctional facility

• Addictions specialist in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation service.

You may already be in your dream job and this qualification will provide a stepping-stone to enhancing your skills and increasing your potential.