
(Oxford) Diploma : Art Therapy for Grief, Healing & Recovery
Requirements
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Age Requirement: Participants must be at least 18 years old. This course delves into personal emotional experiences related to grief, necessitating a level of emotional maturity that is generally associated with adulthood.
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Willingness to Engage: An open mindset is crucial for participants. You will be encouraged to explore and express your emotions through artistic practices, which requires vulnerability and the willingness to engage in deep personal reflection. This engagement is primarily in the Q/A
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Support System: Having a support system, such as friends, family, or a therapist, is recommended. This network will be crucial for discussing and processing any emotions that may surface during the course. It’s great to share in the Q/A and discuss but you may need people close to you, who know you.
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Self-Awareness: It is important for participants to have a fundamental understanding of their own grief and emotional state before beginning the course. The activities may evoke strong emotions and memories, and being aware of one’s own mental health is vital. Just as you will not be judging others, so others will not be judging you.
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Course Duration: To think that it takes (for example) 12 minutes to watch a lecture, is the wrong approach. You need to watch, fully focused and then reflect. Then carry out the exercise. Then share. Budget time for this.
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Art Supplies Needed: Participants are required to procure basic art supplies, which include: • Sketchbook or drawing paper • Pencils and erasers • Coloured pencils, markers, or watercolour paints • Optional: Acrylic or oil paints • Brushes and palette (if using paints) • Scissors, glue, and collage materials such as magazines and printed images • Also a room where you will not be disturbed • A mindset open to ideas and exploration
Description
This course Art Therapy, Grief and Healing is to enable you to learn how Art Therapy can be used to help yourself – and to help others – cope with grief and thus aid the healing process.
The course is divided into four main sections:
1. Overall Introduction
2. Knowing what to expect
3. Helping others grieve
4. Talking about death, grief but DOING Art
This is very much a ‘doing’ course. The lectures have many art therapy exercises in them – you are encouraged to do them in order to help yourself. You are also encouraged to share them in the Q/A so others may see the product – but not the process. By sharing, by discussion, there will be a further lessening of grief. You will also be able to see the work of others.
In the ‘cartoon’ section BOTH Instructors create work in response to the art therapy exercise. Again, it is all about process, process, process.
Who this course is for:
- All who are interested in lessening the impact of grief