Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy [hicat] Practitioner Training Course

This course will connect your students with the best part of themselves - Many graduates say it has changed their lives. 

Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art-making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages.

This evidence-based therapy trains graduates to use a variety of creative modalities including art-making, dance, sculpture, drama, music, sound therapy, storytelling, meditation, and holistic counselling skills to guide clients in recognizing and overcoming trauma and limiting beliefs in an empowering, respectful and highly effective way.
 

The blend of science and hands-on creativity makes this course extremely popular with a wide target audience and attracts people who want to develop a heart-centred career with a respected qualification and an effective set of modalities in a fast-growing industry. 

If you are looking for a user-friendly, industry-recognised course you can study at times that work for you, completely online, you are in the right place!

• Internationally industry-approved training

• Study online with high support

• 10 hours of home study per week (200 hours total)

• 12-month course with 12 weeks of study breaks (no school holiday classes) Recognised certification:   Holistic Integrated Creative   Arts Therapist Graduates can use the letters: HICAT Practitioner 

Who should do this course?

• Suitable for all ages over 18 years, including mature-age students.

• Are you a Psychology Graduate, Counsellor, Therapist, School Teacher, Special Educator, Healer, Health Professional, NGO Mentor, or Mental Health Organization? Then this one is for you.

• No previous experience or qualifications are required.

• Start a new career as a qualified Holistic Therapist, or add a new dimension to your existing career. 

• No artistic ability is necessary. 

Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapies can be used in a wide variety of settings and with an assortment of different clients.

• HICAT will provide you with valuable skills to help children express and process emotions, develop confidence, focus and concentration. HICAT is also extremely beneficial to children on the autism spectrum and their families.

• HICAT can also make an impact in aged care, completely changing the quality of life for many older people by assisting in treating loneliness and loss of purpose often experienced in this age group.

• HICAT skills are also in high demand in the corporate arena where they can contribute to positive work environments, reducing workplace stress and workplace bullying. HICAT can also help to improve creativity, leadership skills, productivity, and profitability, making it a popular team-building program for corporate managers. 

This course combines a multitude of exciting and inspiring creative modalities.

Each of your classes will be divided into theory and practice sessions.

A great deal of time will be spent exploring and participating in the creative arts and a wide variety of meditation styles, including movement meditation, mantra meditation, chakra meditation, guided creative visualisation, mindfulness, and Zen Meditation. Online students will spend around 10 hours per week studying for one year. Studies will include reading, watching videos, completing art projects, writing essays, and answering quizzes.

There are some fieldwork components where you will need to involve a friend or family member or visit a professional practice, business, or center but we will guide and assist you with this.

You will need to be able to take photos and videos and upload them onto your coursework submission forms. This is not difficult, and we can assist you to learn how to do this if you need us to.

 Practical topics covered in this course include:

• Art Therapy (paint, watercolor pencils, charcoal & oil pastels)
• Tactile Therapy (sculpture, clay, construction, Sandplay & environmental art-making)
• Music, Tribal Rhythms, Medicine Drums & Sound Therapy
• Dance & Movement Therapy
• Role Play, Storytelling, creative writing & Drama Therapy 

 Theory topics covered in this course include: 

• The cause & effects of stress
• The mind/body connection
• Physiology of the brain
• Unconscious beliefs and mental patterns
• Exploring emotions
• History of art therapy
• Creative therapies & health
• Why creative art therapies are effective
• Creative art therapies as emotional healing
• Creative art therapies for recovery & rehabilitation
• Art & developing intuition
• Drawing from within
• Colour & emotions
• Sound, vibration & the body’s cells
• The creative process
• Art appreciation Interpretation & diagnosis
• Compassion & non-judgment
• Learning Styles & personality types
• Managing groups
• Supporting clients
• Working with PTSD
• Working with anxiety disorders
• Working with grief & loss
• Working with children
• Working with depression
• Working in medical settings
• Developing community arts projects
• Meditation for every day
• Meditation in action through art
• Meditation with music and movement
• Gratitude & art journaling
• Holistic counseling skills for creative arts therapists
• Networking & referring
• Ethics, safety & professionalism
• Setting up your own practice
• Creating a specialised practice
• Resources, materials & equipment
• Marketing for creative arts therapists
• Legalities, insurance and, joining associations 

 Course Outcomes 

• Graduates receive the Certificate in Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy Practitioner.

• You will graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to set up your own Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy Practice; run workshops, work with groups and see individual clients, in either general practice or specialising in specific areas of interest, if you wish. You may also be able to seek employment within some organizations that value holistic and complementary therapies.

• Graduates can join the International Institute of Complementary Therapists, the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, and the Complementary Medical Association and get professional insurance.

• You will also be provided with a full 1 year of free membership to the Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapists Association and the International Meditation Teachers and Therapists Association after graduation.

• This course is also suitable for personal development. HICAT enhances physical, mental, and emotional functioning and well-being. Holistic therapists work with the whole person and assist people in becoming self-empowered through supporting them on a journey of self-exploration and personal growth, incorporating the body, mind, emotions, and spirit.

• Graduates of the HICAT Course are not Art Therapists, they are Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy (HICAT) practitioners.

 FAQs 

What materials and equipment do I need to complete the course?

• You will need to be able to read and write in English.
• Access to a computer with a PDF internet connection.
• Email access.
• A moderate level of computer literacy (send emails, internet, upload documents, and photos).
• Ability to take photos and videos (your phone is perfect for this).
• Ability to watch and listen to videos on YouTube.
• You will be provided with a materials list that will cost no more than 5000/- This will include all the art materials and resources you will need throughout your course. You do not have to purchase all the items at once.
• Time management skills - You need to set aside 10 hours of study time each week to complete your course on time.

Will I be able to get support when I need it?

Absolutely!

Our teaching team is very available. You will be able to contact your teacher directly via email. You can make appointments to have your teacher telephone you.

Our exclusive students Facebook page is very active and you will be able to connect with your teachers and other students. You will be able to join our weekly Zoom meetings to ask questions and get support or, if you can’t attend, you can watch the recording later.

You will also be assigned a “study buddy”. You can connect with your study buddy to give and receive support, practice counseling and coaching skills and do activities that require a partner.