Training in art therapy
As P.E.A.C.E Centre’s capacity in terms of staff and outreach is limited, we have to seek ways through which to increase the capacity within P.E.A.C.E itself and of partner organisations. Thus the Centre helps to develop the knowledge and skills of people, who are likely to be working with traumatised persons. In line with this aim the Centre initiated training in art therapy and psychiatry, offered by Ms Fiety Meijer-Degen and Dr. Jaap Meijer.
The idea is for the two trainers to offer a series of four workshops over a period of two years (2006 – 2007). A requirement for continued participation in workshops is that participants will practice newly acquired skills on an ongoing basis and present cases for supervision in advanced training workshops. Persons who participated in these workshops must be committed to complete the whole cycle of workshops. Art therapy trainees are expected to be engaged in outreach activities in marginalised communities and preferably must have input in, for example, supervision and training in their respective organisations in order to reduplicate skills learned.
In this way the workshop series should enable a number of Namibians to be sufficiently capable to pass their knowledge on to others in the country.
During 2006 two workshops were offered in the first half the year and another two in the second half. The majority of participants are professional persons – social workers and psychologists – who work for different government ministries e.g. Health & Social Services, Education and for the Namibian Police or who do pro bono work for the PEACE Centre. Lay counsellors from NGO’s also took part as did senior students from the Psychology department of the University of Namibia.
As ours is a professional domain dominated by women as service providers, the majority of art-therapy trainees are women. Of thirty-six participants, thirty-three were women. Form the large pool of people who completed the basic/introductory workshop eighteen went on to do the advanced workshop in the second half of 2006.
The vast majority of the participants are very keen indeed to continue with the training in 2007 and are finding many opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills they have learnt. They have attested to the effectiveness of the method and techniques especially in cases where previously it was impossible to overcome barriers and make therapeutic breakthroughs.
The participants, either individually or as members of their organisations, are expected to pay a fee for each workshop to help cover costs, however, those who do not have the means to pay, but who fit the criteria, are not excluded.
Art therapy as a vehicle towards healing and empowerment
The benefits of art therapy are numerous and as a method can address a number of the above issues:
· Art therapy can be used with individuals, couples, families & groups
· It is less threatening than words and is an accessible form of communication for individuals with learning difficulties and in situations where therapist and client are not fluent in a common language
· Arts are languages that all people speak and these cut across, cultural social, educational and economic boundaries
· Through art therapy, supportive environments of sharing can be created and these may enhance healing in contexts where conflicts have created divisions among community members
· Art therapy enhances cultural appreciation and awareness and can be especially meaningful in situations where the self-worth and dignity of whole communities are in question
· Art is a means for developing relationships as well as for integrating experiences that may be difficult to understand
· Reflective ways of self expression lead clients into new ways of seeing themselves
· Art allows a person to participate on his/her own level of ability, increases the quality of their lives by engaging them emotionally, cognitively and spiritually
· It increases awareness of self and others, helps cope with stress, reduces anxiety and increases self esteem, therefore, enhances a sense of well being
· It has potential for providing hope and nurturing in situations dominated by a feeling of hopelessness.
Envisaged activities for 2007
Four training workshops in Art Therapy methods and techniques will to be conducted during 2007, provided that the necessary funds can be raised. Training will target the personnel in organisations and agencies active as service providers to marginalised and vulnerable communities and groupings in communities, especially women and children who themselves are either care givers of orphans or vulnerable children, are vulnerable themselves, or who were victims of violence and other trauma.
Training modules will include one introductory and three advanced sessions and each training workshop will be conducted over a period of four days.
Outcomes anticipated for this activity will be;
· The training of at least 36 persons (the majority of whom will be women – as persons with trust within client communities) who on a professional and daily basis are engaged in the counselling and/or psychotherapy of vulnerable, traumatised or responsible for care or such persons.
· Training at least 25 Namibians to an advanced level of art therapy level, which will enable them to train and supervise others.
· The entrenchment of art therapy practices within our practice with clients.
· The strengthening of networks of cooperation and referrals of clients within partner organisations.