master of psychotherapy and spirituality
(art therapy specialization)
Degree Requirements | Admission Requirements
Application Deadline | Application Package
What is Art Therapy?
Experiencing an Art Therapy Studio Course (CATA Newsletter Article, March 2009)
Call for Submissions| Art Therapy Links
Credentialling Bodies
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The MPS Art Therapy Specialization program develops professional art therapists and counsellors who are well grounded in the integration of art therapy practice, counselling theory, and theological reflection as a holistic foundation for effective therapeutic practice. This program is open to people from any faith tradition.
Students complete the core MPS program in addition to seven art therapy courses and three studio art pre/co-requisites.
The MPS (Art Therapy Specialization) program is an approved art therapy training program with The Canadian Art Therapy Association and graduates are able to apply their degree towards the process of registration as an art therapist. This requires additional supervised post-graduation hours. Graduates may also have the option of registering with other professional counselling bodies in addition to CATA. It is the student’s responsibility to consult directly with their preferred registering association(s) and to plan their course of study accordingly.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
MPS (Art Therapy Specialization)
(66 Program Credits; 9 Pre/Co-Req Credits)
Equivalent to two and a half years of full-time study. Work should be completed within seven years.
COURSES (36 credits)
SS071V Academic Writing (0cr graduate online course taken in first year)
PPPSYC581 Intro to Pastoral Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care (3cr)
PPSYC585 Counselling Skills (3cr)
PPSYC583 Professional Ethics for Pastoral Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care (3cr)
SSC571V Research Methods (online) (3cr)
PPSYC584 Theories Couns/Psychotherapy(online) (3cr)
PPSYC5869 Counselling Skills-Systems Interventions (3cr)
SSC582 Pastoral Theology and Counselling (3cr)
SSC589 Theological Reflection in Professional Practice (3cr)
PPSYC587 Life Span Psychology (3cr)
PPSYC5812 Abnormal Psychology (3cr)
PPSYC5878*Counselling Practicum (Art Therapy) (6cr)
*Practicum course will consist of 350 hours of direct client contact with supervision by a Registered Art Therapist, over two practicum placements. Practica should be arranged so as to meet the student's desired Professional Association requirements.
ART THERAPY COURSES (21 credits)
PPSYC5841 Introduction to Art Therapy (3cr)
PPSYC5830 Theories/Art Therapy Training Grp I (3cr)
PPSYC5828 Theories/Art Therapy Training Grp II (3cr)
PPSYC5845 Child and Adolescent Art Therapy (3cr)
PPSYC5879 Issues of Professional Practice/Interventions in Art Therapy I (3cr)
PPSYC5880 Issues of Professional Practice/Interventions in Art Therapy II (3cr)
PPSYC5881 Art Therapy History/Theoretical Foundations (3cr)
THESIS (9 credits)
The Thesis is a formally written 100-150 page document based upon the student’s research of a stated question. The Thesis integrates an introduction, a thorough literature review, explication of methodology, data presentation and analysis, and a summary of findings, conclusions, and synthesis. Research must be within the field of art therapy. The Thesis Proposal Collegium (0-credit) is a required component of the thesis process.
THERAPY (0 credit, co-requisite)
40 hours of personal therapy with a certified counsellor is considered a minimum during training in order to provide an opportunity for students to address personal issues as they relate to their professional development as a counselor and art therapist. A letter from the therapist is required, stating dates the therapy took place.
PRE/CO-REQUISITE ART COURSES (9 credits)
Courses in studio art/art therapy studio allow the learner to gain experience in working with art materials and processes. These courses may be taken at St Stephen’s College, or at other institutions with Art Therapy Associate Chair’s approval.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
-
Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree in psychology or substantially equivalent study (examples may include pastoral theology, the humanities and human sciences, and nursing) from a recognized university or college (Grade Average minimum 72% - see Admissions Policy)
-
Academic background in counselling and/or some experience in a helping role are desirable
-
A readiness to integrate spiritually informed training into professional practice.
-
Upon successful admission to the Program, students will be required to produce a Security Clearance Check.
MPS (Art Therapy Specialization) Additional Admission Requirement:
-
Background in studio art and/or some experience with the artistic creative process are desirable.
Annual Application Deadline: February 1
When admission to a degree program has been denied, a student may make appeal to the Dean, whose decision is considered final.
Admission Interview Day: February 24, 2012
Orientation Day for new students: Apri 28, 2012
Application Package: Click here (PDF)
WHAT IS ART THERAPY?
Art therapists are trained to facilitate the unfolding of the artistic, creative process in the service of therapeutic growth. Art materials and expressive media allow the individual to concretize and give form to his or her lived experience. Through artmaking, the individual can shape a meaningful response to his/her challenges, explore possibilities, and strengthen inner resources. At the same time, intentional creative work allows for a transcendence of the personality, increasing the possibility of meaningful relationship and awakened engagement with the world. Current research demonstrates art therapy’s efficacy in engaging the whole expressive person - the psychomotoric, sensory, cognitive, imaginal, emotive, and the spiritual/transcendent. Art therapy can be applied to therapeutic work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families; as well, it is effective in group and community applications.
Art therapy was introduced to Canada in the forties and fifties; since then, it has developed into a dynamic and rapidly evolving profession. Art therapists work in a wide range of settings including private practice, agencies, hospitals, schools, social programs, day programs, spiritual direction, community studios, consulting, and program development. The field of art therapy is broad and diverse, encompassing a spectrum of practice and theoretical approaches.
EXPERIENCING AN ART THERAPY STUDIO WORKSHOP
(CATA NEWSLETTER ARTICLE,
MARCH 2009)
Participants in a St. Stephen's College studio workshop titled 'Art Therapy Studio: The Aesthetics of Devotion–Art as Prayer', co-authored an article that appeared in the March 2009 edition of the CATA Newsletter.
View Article
View complete CATA Newsletter (March 2009)
ART THERAPY LINKS
Canadian Art Therapy Association
American Art Therapy Association
CREDENTIALLING BODIES
Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA)
http://associates.cpca-rpc.ca/stephens.html.
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
http://www.ccacc.ca/en/forstudents/
British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
http://bc-counsellors.org/apply-for-membership
The Canadian Association for Spiritual Care / Association canadienne de soins Spirituels
http://www.cappe.org/Manual/index.html#CH1
Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA)
MPS Art Therapy Specialization students only
www.catainfo.ca
