Art Therapy

 My Art Therapy Journey

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 6, 2015 - Classes and placement will be starting this month. I've never been so excited to practice something!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 26, 2015 - I am two weeks into school. I've been in Vancouver, BC, since July 11th. We just completed the studio portion of the Art Therapy training. My teacher was Heather Dawson. There are 9 of us in this class. I am living a dream.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 02, 2015 - I am going to VATI! July 2015 cohort! It's really happening.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 12, 2015 - Laura from VATI contacted me out of the blue to ask if I would be interested in joining the May or July 2015 cohorts! I was shocked & thrilled to hear from her. My deferral period had long passed and I assumed I would have to completely re-apply in order to be considered. I am hard at work behind the scenes trying to figure out if I can manage the fees and the commitment it will take to complete the program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 15, 2014 - Art Therapy at VATI has been cancelled and I am looking to get some local training in the area of Expressive Arts and other psychotherapies. I've already taken Cognitive Behaviour Therpay Fuundamentals through OISE. VATI was a dream that I couldn't actualize. I asked the Universe for help and it put up a wall. This tells me I am meant for a different path - possibly a different school, or no school at all. I'm sitting in the fog and being grateful every day.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

March 7, 2013 - I've had a change of plans. Due to financial reasons, I will be deferring my spot until the 2014 session. It's hard to let go, but I think it is the best decision. Onward!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 24, 2012 - I've found one of my placement spaces! It's a local bereavement agency focused on supporting children, youth and families. I will join their volunteer training in the spring of 2013.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UPDATE: OCT 16, 2012 - I completed my telephone interview with the director of the distance programs and was offered a spot in the July 2013 class! I have accepted this spot pending financing.

Some interesting information I received:

*Payment plans are offered and are flexible depending on your individual situation/needs.
*When I graduate, I will have the distinction of "Professional Art Therapist" which means I can practice right away. In order to be registered with the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA), I will need to complete 1000 direct client hours POST grad in order to apply. This "registered" distinction allows me to supervise art therapy students and teach art therapy, as well as adding another professional distinction which adds credibility.
*I will make 2 separate trips to Vancouver, one for three weeks and one for two weeks. This will allow me to learn intensively with my classmates and cover the bulk of the courses in person.
*I am able to defer my spot one year if need be.
*This program can be completed in one year, or be stretched out to two years if need be.
*Placements can be done in many different spaces, not just one.
*I will have only 11 classmates.
*I will participate in a studio course, in which I will be testing out the art therapy techniques on myself and I am told these are very therapeutic in nature. I was told to wear old clothing I don't care about because I "will get messy".

Eeeeeeeeeeeek!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UPDATE: AUG 30, 2012 - My application has been officially received!


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

I am walking on my path towards becoming a registered Art Therapist.

I am in the beginning stages of what will hopefully be a one year journey starting July 2013.

My application has been sent across the country and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Please, Universe, let there be a way to afford this!