Self-test: Is the "Art Therapist with Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (Achtung: Englisch wie gleich. Dipl. HF!)" course the right one for me?

Art therapist: What does everyday working life look like?

Art therapists use artistic means to accompany and support people in cases of illness, crisis or psychological problems.

Using dance and movement, speech and drama, visual design, painting or music, or a combination of these art forms, they activate the resources and self-healing powers of their clients, promote their awareness of their bodies and abilities and stimulate processes of change. In art therapy, clients should experience their self-efficacy and feel supported in the recovery process and during changes despite any impairments.

In this way, art therapists can provide their clients with solutions to difficult situations and help improve their quality of life. Clients come to art therapy on their own initiative or on a doctor's prescription.

Art therapists work independently in their own practice, in a group practice or as part of an interdisciplinary team in rehabilitation centers, retirement homes, social or educational institutions, etc.

In addition to art therapy treatment, their tasks include planning and documenting each course of therapy and writing reports. In addition, if employed in social, educational or health institutions, there is interprofessional teamwork or, in the case of independent practitioners, administration, such as scheduling appointments. health insurance billing, etc.

Who is the "Art therapist (AFPE)" course aimed at? What qualities and skills are required?

Target group

• Professionals from the healthcare, social services or education sectors who wish to use their artistic talent for therapeutic purposes
• Artists who want to use their art for therapeutic purposes

Personal requirements

• artistic talent
• Interest in psychological issues
• Enjoy accompanying people in crisis situations and in their personal development
• Mental resilience and ability to reflect
• High social and relationship skills

Requirements for admission to training in art therapy

The OdA Artecura (the responsible body for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) in Art Therapy) has set general admission requirements for training to become a federally certified art therapist. You need the following for definitive admission to the course:

• oneDegree at continuing education and training / tertiary level(Diploma of Higher Education, Federal Diploma of Higher Education, Federal Diploma, Bachelor or Master UAS/Uni)in healthcare, education, art or social services

or

• oneCompletion of upper-secondary level(Federal VET Diploma, high school diploma, secondary school leaving certificate) and proof that you are suitable for therapeutic work. You can provide this proof at the start of your training. It takes the form of"Equivalence assessment of the requirements for a therapeutic profession" (GVB)of the OdA ARTECURA, a graded internship of at least 3 months amounting to at least 50%. The GVB must be completed in the first third of Module 4 ("Art Therapy").

and

• (at the latest before the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE)) two years of professional experience (at least 50%) in the healthcare sector or in education, art or social services

Course structure, subject areas, subject matter and content

Training in art therapy can be completed in five artistic directions:

• Movement and dance therapy
• Drama and speech therapy
• Design and painting therapy
• Intermedia therapy (i.e. different art forms combined)
• Music therapy

The training takes place in three stages:

• Level 1: relevant previous tertiary qualification (or upper-secondary level qualification and passed GVB)
• Level 2: modular training leading to a temporary certificate in art therapy
• Level 3: Gain professional experience in art therapy and case supervision, then Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE)

The training onLevel 2consists of 7 modules (all of which end with an exam; if you pass the exam, you will receive the corresponding module certificate):

• Module 1: Specialist basics I (basics of anatomy and physiology, disorders and clinical pictures in their main features, psychosomatics, hygiene, pharmacology, psychology and psychopathology I, emergencies)
• Module 2: Fundamentals II (psychology, psychopathology II, communication, learning, developmental and personality psychology, basic pedagogical attitudes and concepts, norms and values in education, biography, group work, salutogenesis and mental hygiene)
• Module 3: Artistic skills (subject and method-specific)
• Module 4: Art therapy (professional ethics, other methods, online therapy, art therapy assessment
• Module 5: Internship
• Module 6: Case study
• Module 7: Professional role (communication, organization and management, healthcare

OnLevel 3you will gain the professional experience required for admission to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) by carrying out treatments independently. You must treat at least 20 hours under supervision (known as case supervision). Then you can take the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE).

Costs

• The course fees are around CHF 30,000-42,000, depending on the specialization and provider.
• Additional costs of up to CHF 10,000 are incurred for teaching therapy, supervision hours and the federal examination.
• Some providers charge additional costs for materials, teaching aids, internal examinations and diplomas, depending on the subject area.
• With some providers, some of the training takes place in seminar hotels. There are additional costs for accommodation and meals per seminar day.

Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore receive up to 50% of the course costs paid, up to a maximum of CHF 10,500, back from the federal government upon application after taking the federal examination.

Duration and effort

TheEducationto become an art therapist (level 2) is part-time and modular. Certain time sequences must be taken into account when completing the modules. The training is based onthree to four yearsbut there is room for maneuver in terms of timing.

TheLearning effortfor the 7 modules amounts to a total of 2,930 hours, of which 1,150 are face-to-face lessons, 250 hours of supervised practical training and 1,530 hours of self-study*. Calculated over a training period of 4 years (4 years of 48 learning weeks and 4 vacation weeks each), this means a good 15 hours of learning per week. In addition, you must allow 20 hours for learning therapy.

TheTeaching daysare often organized as block seminars (e.g. Thu-Sat) or take place during off-peak times and at weekends. Face-to-face events can also be held in the form of supervised e-learning.

From theEnd of training up to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE)(level 3) you should start with abouttwo years(in which you have to collect at least 20 supervision hours). Here, too, you can take more time if you wish. However, as the module certificates lose their validity after five years, you should take the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) within five years of completing the modules.

* This information is taken from the guidelines for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) in Art Therapy. The indicatedSelf-learning timeis a guideline. How much self-learning time you actually need depends on personal factors such as your prior knowledge and learning style.

Degree, diploma and title

Once you have received all 7 module certificates, your school will issue you with the "Art therapy certificate» and the "Confirmation of module completions for the acquisition of art therapy professional practice as part of admission to the AFPE Art Therapy of the OdA Artecura". Both documents are valid for five years and make it easier for you to start your career and gain professional experience for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) (ID for employers, opportunity to register with EMR, etc.).

For admission to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) in Art Therapy you need:

• Degree at tertiary level (Federal Diploma of Higher Education, Federal Diploma, Federal Diploma, Bachelor or Master UAS/Uni) in healthcare, education, art or social services or a qualification at upper-secondary level (Federal VET Diploma, Matura, secondary school leaving certificate) and proof of passing the GVB (equivalence test for the requirements for a therapeutic profession) of the OdA Artecura
• two years of professional experience working at least 50% in the healthcare or social services sector or in the fields of art or education
• Language skills (German or French) to at least level B2
• the 7 required module certificates or certificates of equivalence
• case supervision (at least 20 hours) with supervisors recognized by the OdA Artecura

Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) in Art Therapy:
The Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) consists of 4 parts and lasts a total of 10 hours:

• Oral presentation and technical discussion on the previously completed diploma thesis (1 hour)
• Case processing in writing (6 hours)
• Practical treatment demonstration (2 hours)
• Oral treatment demonstration (1 hour)

Degree, professional title

Those who pass the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) are entitled to use the protected title of the corresponding specialization:

Art therapist with federal diploma
Specialization

• • Movement and dance therapy
  • Drama and speech therapy
  • Design and painting therapy
  • Intermedia therapy
  • Music therapy