ABOUT ARTS BASED THERAPY
Arts-Based Therapy (ABT) is the evidence-based use of art forms to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship.
The basis of ABT lies in Indian Psychology and Ethics, Studies of Human Development, and Cognitive Neurosciences. Since ancient times, art forms have been used in well-being and health. The dynamic combination of traditional and modern artistic material, with an interdisciplinary basis of Indian Psychology, Philosophy, and Modern Science makes ABT a viable and meaningful therapeutic practice.
In ABT there is a concurrence of art forms (drama, music, and visual arts). This enables a practitioner to acquire a generic vocabulary of stories, songs, roles, rhythms, drawings, and colours, and use appropriate combinations to address specific client needs. ABT is not a new concept. Many wise beings of the past have shared about art and healing. ABT is, thus, a small part of the wisdom offered by all teachers of the past, shamans of innumerable tribes, great masters of the Eastern spiritual traditions, and scientists/elegant minds of the West.
The ABT course offered by Mind and Arts Institute aims to collaborate with therapists and NGOs to implement ABT in areas of mental health, psychosocial and neuro-physiological rehabilitation, special education, and development disabilities.
COURSE RATIONALE
In the West, therapies that are based on various individual art forms mostly started from the 1930s, consolidating as drama, music, and art therapy by 1950s/60s. In the brief span from then till now, there are universities offering training, journals, research material, teachers, and various certification bodies.
On the other hand, India’s unique and multifarious culture embodies a culmination of these individual art forms, along with its strong roots in philosophy and longstanding traditions of the arts in healing. However, this has not been systematically and consistently developed into an indigenous practice in the contemporary times.
ABT bridges that gap. It brings the much needed artistic language into therapy, while retaining a firm basis in well-researched and scientific understanding of mind and reality. ABT integrates the use of art forms as therapeutic modalities with a deep-seated insight into the Indian study of mind. This combination offers a more holistic approach to healing as compared to the individualistic approach of the West.
AIMS & LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student is certified as an ABT Practitioner when s/he is able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding and specific practice in the area of the arts and healing,
2. Design and implement ABT with a specific population group,
3. Expand consciousness through realizing capabilities of self, meaningful relationships, and purposeful living, and
4. Utilize the holistic approach of ABT to understand clients as human beings separate from the ‘problem’, and empower them to discover their inner resources for self-healing and growth.
TEACHING-LEARNING METHODS
- In person Workshop Seminars on ABT Theory and Laboratory work with ABT Skills
- Individual Assignments (Practice of Theory and Skills)
- Practical work on ABT through Action Research Projects
-Intermittent online sessions and classes
In the West, therapies that are based on various individual art forms mostly started from the 1930s, consolidating as drama, music, and art therapy by 1950s/60s. In the brief span from then till now, there are universities offering training, journals, research material, teachers, and various certification bodies.
On the other hand, India’s unique and multifarious culture embodies a culmination of these individual art forms, along with its strong roots in philosophy and longstanding traditions of the arts in healing. However, this has not been systematically and consistently developed into an indigenous practice in the contemporary times.
ABT bridges that gap. It brings the much needed artistic language into therapy, while retaining a firm basis in well-researched and scientific understanding of mind and reality. ABT integrates the use of art forms as therapeutic modalities with a deep-seated insight into the Indian study of mind. This combination offers a more holistic approach to healing as compared to the individualistic approach of the West.
AIMS & LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student is certified as an ABT Practitioner when s/he is able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding and specific practice in the area of the arts and healing,
2. Design and implement ABT with a specific population group,
3. Expand consciousness through realizing capabilities of self, meaningful relationships, and purposeful living, and
4. Utilize the holistic approach of ABT to understand clients as human beings separate from the ‘problem’, and empower them to discover their inner resources for self-healing and growth.
TEACHING-LEARNING METHODS
- In person Workshop Seminars on ABT Theory and Laboratory work with ABT Skills
- Individual Assignments (Practice of Theory and Skills)
- Practical work on ABT through Action Research Projects
-Intermittent online sessions and classes