ABOUT US |
What is ACATA? | |
Our Committee |
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A Brief History of ACATA | |
Membership |
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Our Vision, Goals and Principles | |
Code of Ethics |
About ACATA
About the Creative Arts Therapies
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Frequently Asked Questions | |
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Training | |
What is ACATA?
The Australian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ACATA) is the peak body for the Creative Arts Therapies in Australia. ACATA is dedicated to best serving the Creative Arts Therapies community in Australia and provides a range of services for members including: professional networking, peer support, communication through our website and publications, professional representation, professional standards, promotion and advocacy, professional directory and referral service and professional development opportunities.
A Brief History of ACATA
The network association for Arts Therapists was established in 1998. The first wave of students nearing completion of the RMIT Master of Creative Arts Therapy (Melbourne) were eager to promote recognition of the creative therapies, and to form an "association of practitioners" aimed at developing the practice. ACATA was incorporated on the 28th of September 2000.
In 2009, ACATA made an inclusive shift from supporting only those qualified in the creative arts therapy disipline to all qualified therapists working with the arts. ACATA's name also changed to the Australian Creative Arts Therapies Association. These changes aim to celebrate and embrace the diveristy within our growing profession.
Vision
A world of opportunity in research, practice and networking for the creative arts therapies community.
Goals
- To be visionary in our approach
- Promote the diverse principles and practice of the Creative Arts Therapies
- Build and Disseminate knowledge
- Provide leadership
- Promote training and development
- Advocate
- Work with the community to expand understandings of Creative Arts Therapies
Principles
ACATA’s goals are underpinned by the following values:
- Respect, dignity and responsibility
- Generosity
- Perseverance
- Honesty and Integrity
- Community, a sense of belonging
- Professional diversity
- The encouragement of creativity, ideas and innovation
- Holistic health
ACATA Code Of Ethics
The committee of the Australian Creative Arts Therapies Association Inc. (ACATA) endorsed this Code of Ethics (Code) at its committee meeting in June 2005 to take effect from that date. This Code now replaces all previously endorsed Code of Ethics versions.
Click on the link below to view the Adobe PDF document version:
ACATA Committee
| President | Jan Allen |
| Vice President | Julie McDonald |
| Secretary | Nyrelle Bade |
| Acting Treasurer | Anna-Sun Crooks |
| Public Officer | Carla van Laar |
| Ordinary Members | Dianne Mentis |
| Pam Hellema | |
| Belinda Cody | |
| Helen Sawyer | |
| Peter Batten | |
| Non-Voting Member | Kathryn McGoldrick |
| CAT's in Conversation Co-ordinator |
Helen Sawyer |
Membership
The Australian Creative Arts Therapies Association provides clear criterion to show the varied pathways that can be taken to becoming a professional arts therapist. Nationally and internationally ACATA's growing member base connects and networks with practitioners, researchers, eductors and students to share knowledge and exchange opportunities. Becoming an ACATA member ensures professional recognition of your status within the Arts Therapies profession and in the broader community.
Through online networking, ACATA members have access to employment opportunities as they arise, as well as advice in setting fee structures, and clear guidelines for professional ethics and conduct. In a profession that is only recently gaining wide recognition in education and allied health, it is invaluable to be part of an association of one's peers and to benefit from the strength of co-operative support.
ACATA Membership Benefits
Please click on the link below:
ACATA Membership Categories, Fees and Application Form
Please click on the links below:
ACATA Membership Categories
ACATA Membership Application Form
Please contact us if you would like to know more about becoming a member of ACATA
Frequently Asked Questions
Arts therapists use creative, arts-based processes as part of their therapeutic work with clients, to facilitate self expression, communication, self awareness and personal development. Arts Therapists work within the mental health, allied health and human services professions.
The experience of expressing oneself through creative activity has been found to assist in the promotion of physical, emotional, cognitive and social integration and functioning. The consequent insights and personal understandings can be instrumental in facilitating change.Creative modalites used by therapists may include visual art, claywork, dance/movement, music, narrative, drama/psychodrama, creative writing/poetry and sandplay therapies.
Where do arts therapists work?
- Adult day treatment centres
- Businesses
- Community mental health centres
- Community residences and halfway houses
- Correctional and forensic facilities
- Drug and alcohol programs
- Early intervention programs
- General hospitals
- Hospices
- Nursing homes
- Outpatient clinics
- Psychiatric units and hospitals
- Rehabilitative facilities
- Senior centres
- Schools, educational institutions
- Wellness centres
- Private practice
What can the creative arts therapies assist with?
- Addiction & substance abuse
- Brain injury rehabilitation
- Chronic illness
- Dementia
- Depression and anxiety
- Family relationships
- Grief and Loss
- Infant and child development
- Intellectual disability
- Learning difficulties
- Mental illness
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Prison Rehabilitation
- Sexual abuse trauma
- Social and relationship problems
Can I study dramatherapy in Australia?
Dramatherapy itself is not currently offered as a course of study in Australia. However, dramatherapy is integrated within the masters program offered at the Melbourne Institute for Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy (MIECAT). Psychodrama is somewhat related to dramatherapy. Please contact the Australian and New Zealand Psychodrama Association (ANZPA) for more information.