Inherent requirements for Master of Art Therapy

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Compliance with the codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all

Exemplars:

»Demonstrate ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour
» Understanding and practising appropriate professional boundaries including confidentiality and duty of care in work with clients in placement settings

Justification of inherent requirement:

»Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in diverse and changing environments. Students will be exposed to situations which are challenging and unpredictable, and will be required to have the behavioural stability to manage these events

Exemplars:

» Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback
» Managing own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with individuals both in classroom and placement settings

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Knowledge, understanding and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to placements in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others
» Compliance with these professional regulations and the Australian law in the placement setting ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice

Exemplars:

» Complying with legal requirements regarding all aspects of Art Therapy practice
» Complying with professional peer regulation

Student demonstrates:
» Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences
» The ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately, and in a timely manner
» Consistent and appropriate awareness of own verbal communication style
» The ability to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
» Timely clear feedback and reporting

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships
» Communication may be restricted to verbal because of physical limitations of the individual (e.g. injury, disease or congenital conditions)
» Speed and accuracy of communication may be critical for individual safety or treatment
» Close listening and accurate and empathic reflection of what is heard are fundamental to the establishment and conduct of an effective therapeutic relationship in Art Therapy

Exemplars:

» Responding verbally in an interview with clients in the field placement setting
» Participating in tutorial and clinical discussions
» Ability to listen with empathy to clients and accurately reflect back to them

Student demonstrates:
» The capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to visual representations and cues
» Consistent and appropriate awareness of own visual communication style
» Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Art Therapy uses art media as a primary form of communication between client and art therapist. It employs visual art equipment such as clay, paper, paints, and other artistic materials to create visual forms of personal expression that the art therapist assists the client to understand and explore

Exemplars:

» The ability to recognise both literal and symbolic content and communication in the clients' art-making processes and in finished client artwork

Justification of inherent requirement:

» The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships
» Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships
» Being sensitive to individual and /or cultural differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships
» The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for safe and effective observation of clients' symptoms and reactions as part of their assessment and treatment.

Exemplars:

» Recognising a postural change that could indicate the emotional state of a client
» Respecting the client's physical boundaries, rather than assuming that any client in distress needs an uninvited hug from the therapist

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Construction of written text based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter for professional practice standards
» Accurate written communication for a range of purposes and audiences is vital to provide consistent client care

Exemplars:

» Constructing an essay to required academic standards
» Preparing Art Therapy reports which are appropriate to the purpose and audience, and completed in a timely manner

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Safe and effective Art Therapy practice is based on knowledge that must be sourced, understood and applied appropriately

Exemplars:

» Appropriately applying knowledge to practice during field placements, for example through making assessments, developing treatment plans and then conducting individual and group sessions for clients

Justification of inherent requirement:

» The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure safe and effective assessment, treatment and delivery of Art Therapy services
» The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for safe and effective professional support in field placements
» The ability to use writing for the purposes of close observation and reflection is a primary form of learning and self-monitoring in Art Therapy

Exemplars:

» Conveying a spoken message accurately and effectively in a field placement setting
» Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with the appropriate academic and/or professional practice conventions
» Producing accurate, concise and clear documentation while on placement in the clinical setting which meets legal and professional requirements

Student demonstrates:
» Familiarity with and ability to safely and effectively support the use of a range of traditional and/or contemporary visual art modalities, media, techniques and practices in the execution of Art Therapy practice.
» Capacity to develop and maintain one's own arts practice within a chosen medium, style and/or or context

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Art Therapy uses a range of visual arts processes and media within a therapeutic framework to improve and inform physical, mental and emotional well-being

Exemplars:

» Ability to assist clients in identifying the appropriate, choice of art media and techniques to use
» Ability to identify and modify a therapy when not effective for a client or group

Student demonstrates:
» The ability to establish and maintain rapport with both individuals and teams in both academic and field placement environments
» The ability to utilise creative Art Therapy in a variety of settings that enhances professional interpersonal relationships
» The ability to engage and relate appropriately in individual and group clinical supervision and experiential learning groups

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Highly developed relational skills are a cornerstone of effective therapeutic relationships that facilitate effective engagement, assessment, intervention and closure.
» Highly developed relational skills are necessary to engage effectively in individual and group supervision of client work and experiential training activities

Exemplars:

» Effectively using relational and interpersonal skills to initiate and develop a therapeutic relationship with clients.
» Effectively managing difficulties arising in the therapeutic relationship while on placement
» Relating effectively, openly and sensitively to academic staff, supervisors and peers

Student demonstrates:
» The ability to reflect constructively on their professional performance
» Awareness of own responses to hearing or viewing distressing client communications

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Art Therapy training which requires well developed understanding of oneself in order to appropriately engage with clinical supervision of and feedback on work with clients
» Working with clients while on placement and understanding and responding to them requires the ability to notice, understand and effectively manage one's reactions to situations that may arise

Exemplars:

» Identifying when a clinical issue is outside one's scope or expertise
» Reflecting in clinical supervision on how one's own responses may impede or enhance work with particular clients on placement

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Sufficient physical and mental endurance is an essential requirement needed to perform tasks in an assigned period to provide safe and effective support

Exemplars:

» Participating in tutorials and lectures
» Remaining focussed and providing consistent responses over a negotiated time frame during placement