Art therapy uses creativity for healing, self-expression, and personal growth. It's an inclusive, versatile therapy, aiding people of all abilities, often beneficial for those with communication difficulties or various mental health issues.
First Art Therapy qualification in South Africa since 2023. Up until 2020 when the honours course was launched, the only training available was overseas and returning graduates had to complete 1000 hours of community service and write an exam in order to get a registration from the Health Professions Council of South Africa. In 2022 the first masters cohort started their journey. Without the dedication and hard work of our course lecturers, students and administrators this would not be possible. The journey took approximately 20 years and we are proud that we could be part of the history of this development. This charge was led by Prof Kim Berman and Dr Hayley Berman - they were supported by Dr Nataly Woollett and the goodwill of multiple generous partners.
The BA Honours in Art Therapy and MA in Art Therapy (coursework) are postgraduate-level programmes.
The Honours programme will equip students with an intermediate knowledge of Art Therapy theories, and research methodologies, as they relate to eventual practice as an Art Therapist on completion of a Masters in Art Therapy, as well as an ability to think competently, safely, and ethically in a range of observed clinical settings. Selection is based on academic merit of the candidate's art portfolio, psychological maturity, and capacity to engage creatively with their internal world and external worlds.
The Masters programme will equip students with advanced knowledge of Art Therapy theories, research methodologies and outputs, and professional therapeutic and clinical skills. Applications are approved by the Departmental Committee comprising a panel of assessors from the Visual Art Departmental Committee and Art Psychotherapy specialist lecturers. Candidates will be interviewed and their portfolios assessed by Visual Art Department's Selection Committee panel.
The University of Johannesburg currently offers a BA Honours and MA in Art Therapy. Click the links below to find out about the admission requirements:
BA Honours in Art Therapy admission requirements (https://www.uj.ac.za/university-courses/ba-honours-in-art-therapy/)
MA in Art Therapy admission requirements (https://www.uj.ac.za/university-courses/ma-in-art-therapy-coursework/)
These admission requirements ensure that prospective students possess the necessary foundation, skills, and commitment to excel in the rewarding discipline of art therapy.
Click below to view the most frequently asked questions about the UJ Art Therapy Programme
The Art Therapy programme has a core professional team and also draws from a very rich resource of outstanding professional guests in the fields of psychology, social work, leadership, children’s rights, GBV, drama, art and expressive therapies, and creative leadership, both locally and internationally.
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Visual Art Department staff: Gordon Froud, Prof David Paton, Prof Allison Kearney, Dr Ruth Sacks, Shonisani Netshia, Dr Irene Bronner, Dr Landi Raubenheimer
International and South African Guest lecturers includes: Phil Speiser, Vivien Marcow Speiser, Dr Juliet King, Samantha Chilvers, Catherine Hyland Moon, Megan Tjasink, Rebecca Perriman, Hollis Dixon, Rebecca Searle, Sara Jane Asman, Tamara Gordon-Roberts, Merran Roy, Samantha Davis, Vasintha Pather, Claudine Ribeiro.
It is a requirement that art therapy students and professionals are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). This is to ensure regulated and ethical practice within the arts therapies. Membership of the South African National Arts Therapies Association (SANATA) is also important, as this is a supportive, collaborative association aimed at the empowerment of arts therapists in South Africa.
HPCSA Registration
The HPCSA is a statutory body, with a formal regulatory framework based on the founding act, the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974. The HPCSA defines the scope of practice for art therapists in South Africa. The aim of the arts therapies, as stated on the HPCSA website, is “the intentional and systemic use of the arts to achieve the therapeutic goal of symptom relief, emotional, cognitive and physical integration and personal growth.”(HPCSA 2023).
SANATA
SANATA provides information and support around professional development, training and research for student art therapists and professionals. They engage in advocacy and lobbying and promote collaborative and network opportunities that aid in the strengthening and development of the arts therapies in South Africa.
