FYI for the Internet Trolls
FYI for the Internet Trolls out there who try to spread negativity in the art therapy community:
Every now and then over the last couple of years I have had some nameless internet trolls try to challenge my credentials without knowing all the facts. So here they are for those who are interested:
Trolling is when someone posts or comments online to ‘bait’ people, which means deliberately provoking an argument or emotional reaction. They may not agree with the views of another person or group online, so they try to discredit, humiliate or punish them. Trolling | What does trolling mean? | eSafety Commissioner
An Art Therapist is a mental health professional who is trained to use creative methods in their work and under the NDIS are classed as an Allied Health Provider. This is very different to an art teacher and there are significant risks in seeing a practitioner who does not have adequate training and supervision of their work.
To clarify, NDIS providers can be divided into two groups: registered and unregistered. Registered NDIS providers are those who have been approved by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) as meeting certain standards of quality, experience, qualifications, or competencies, which is a very lengthy and costly process. Unregistered NDIS providers are not required to meet these standards but may still do so (source).
Art Therapists working as NDIS “registered” providers should meet the qualification standards required for professional membership of the Australia, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA).
However, it must be noted that “in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong, creative arts therapy is a self-regulating profession so there is no title protection. This means there is no restriction on who can call themselves an art therapist or creative art therapist and ANZACATA has no authority to stop this from occurring” *Source: https://www.anzacata.org>faqs - 2022
Thus, there are other accredited private training providers that offer Art Therapist courses to assist those interested in becoming an Art Therapist without having to spend a lot of time and money for a similar result.
Art Therapists working as NDIS “unregistered” providers can choose to register or gain memberships instead with Counselling Associations or other Health Associations. Through any of these memberships, participants have assurance and oversight of the quality of their practice and their work is represented by that Allied Health Professional Association (source).
An art therapist is entitled to charge in accordance with the current NDIS Price Guide and can be charged under the following:
Assessment, Recommendation, Therapy and/or Training – Art Therapist (for Art Therapists that hold certification & paid membership with ANZACATA)
Assessment, Recommendation, Therapy and/or Training (including Assistive Technology) – Other Professional
Capacity Building Supports for Early Childhood Interventions – Other Therapy
Hope that helps clarify things.
Jo
