Overview
Arts therapy in perinatal and infant mental health is an emerging field of specialist practice with a burgeoning body of research evidencing the many different benefits in pre- and postnatal depression and anxiety, trauma healing, parent-infant attachment, and social isolation. The psychological and relational health of new parents and young children is recognised as a priority area in mental health, with arts therapy being incorporated more readily into prevention and early intervention programs and services. Whilst this is wonderful to see, working with this cohort requires a specific set of therapeutic skills and demonstrable knowledge that is not readily available in Australia or overseas.

In a world first, Dr Ariel Moy and Dr Emma van Daal will focus on a different area of arts therapy or therapeutic arts with new parents/caregivers and infants (0-3years) that will introduce participants to the underpinning theory, the scholarship including sharing their own research, and real case examples to foster a sense of confidence and enhance practice skills. Although this series highlights arts therapy, professionals from a range of disciplinary backgrounds who support the inclusion of arts therapy/therapeutic arts in mental health services for this cohort are invited to join. By learning more about the benefits of perinatal and infant arts therapy, the hope is to promote advocacy efforts to include arts therapy in the mental health care of parents and young children.

Masterclass series

June 6, 2024
Week 1: Arts therapeutic approach to developing healthy m/paternal and infant holding relationships.

A brief history of “mothering” advice & theories, including implications for parenting.
An overview of perinatal mental health & the radical experience of matrescence.
Innovative holding research and therapeutic experiences with the relational mother/child ‘us’.
The benefits of art therapy with a relational lens including examples of creative invitations for exploration, awareness, and support.

June 13, 2024
Week 2: Art from the start: Arts Therapy in perinatal and infant mental health

Outline the fundamental theories, ethical considerations, techniques, and underpinning values of arts therapy with parent-infant dyads.
Look at the key findings of contemporary research about what is helpful, healing, and supports the lived experiencing of infant and parent clients.
But babies can’t draw! Contemplating what “art-making” and “play” looks like for young children in “doing” arts therapy with young infants and parents: examples from practice to explain how, why, what, and when.
Invite attendees to ask more in-depth questions that aims to support their own practice in a meaningful way.

June 20, 2024
Week 3: Arts therapy groups with parent-infant dyads

Foundations of arts therapy groups and group-work with infants and parents
The basics of planning multimodal groups—key elements, therapeutic process, cultural safety, and evaluation.
Real-life examples from the presenter’s practice and research to illustrate key points and lessons learned.
Privileging the infant’s voice and being family-led—reflecting on what infants and parents have taught/shown us

*The masterclass will be recorded with the recording available for 30 days after the event. We kindly ask you do not share this with others out of courtesy to the presenters and respect for your fellow attendees.

The series is endorsed by ANZACATA.
Discounted rate for ANZACATA and PACFA members. Please note, the fee includes GST.