This part time Art Therapy Foundation course is running again, for it�s 10th year, in Exeter this October. The course is usually heavily oversubscribed. No particular qualifications are required to apply except for an open minded attitude and an interest in art making. The course introduces participants to key factors in working with visual art in a wide variety of mental health contexts. It is not an Art Therapy training, but is a grounding in Art Therapy principles.

Students benefit by taking on a small amount of written work but this is not obligatory.

A Completion Certificate with confirmation of the taught hours Continuing Professional Development is awarded at the end of course.

Learning is through a series of talks, visual presentations, written materials and participatory groups. The amount of reading undertaken is entirely down to personal choice.

An optional EXIT interview is available at the end of the course for students to discuss further choices or issues raised.

�Thanks for opening my eyes to lots of new ways of looking at art & people & the relationships between them both. It kept me interested all the way through�.
Student feedback.

�The balance between learning how art therapy works in practice, thinking about ideas and personal experience was good. I�m sorry the course has finished!�

Student feedback.

�The essay was a huge challenge but I�m really glad I chose to do it. It felt a very positive and affirming process. This course very well run and it was fun! Student feedback

If you would like to discuss applying to this course we are happy to talk with you.

Our office hours are erratic. Phone 01392 677258, - you may get a person- if not leave a message indicating good times to speak with you, slowly and clearly leaving your phone number and we will get back to you in a day or two.

Alternatively email: insiderart@blueyonder.co.uk to set up an appointment time to speak.

Term Dates: dates for this year 2006- 07
The course will run on Tuesday evenings 7:00pm - 9:30pm.
The Saturday workshops are from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Term 1: Begins 10th October 2006 for eight weeks. There is NO half term.
Term 2: Begins 30th January 2007 for eight weeks. There is NO half term.
Saturday workshops: 14th October, and dates to be confirmed in early November & early March.

Tea, coffee, fruit & herb teas and biscuits are provided for all sessions.

For the Saturday workshops we invite students to bring food to share at lunchtime.

The Small Print:
We charge a �10:00 fee for each invoice issued.

We reserve the right to levy an additional �50:00 administration and interest charge to organisations who have not paid course fees within 60 days of the invoice date.

Cancellations:
If, having formally accepted a place, you withdraw from the course before 30th September we will charge a �25 administration fee and will try to fill your place, returning the balance to you, but cannot guarantee to do so. If we are unable to fill your place we will refund half your fee. The earlier a cancellation is made the more likely we are to be able to fill it.

We are unable to refund course fees after 1st October.

If you opt to pay the course fees in two instalments and withdraw from the course before paying the full balance by 14th November you are still liable for payment of the whole of the balance on the course fees.

Course fees for 2006/07:
Employer funded: �480:00
Self funded: �415:00.
A limited number of Concessionary places are available at �360:00. Priority is given to students and unemployed applicants but other low waged applicants are considered.
We cannot offer concessionary places to organisations.

We will assist applicants where we can to obtain funding from their employers, charitable sources or grant aid but have no funding or bursaries of our own. Some part funding /grant support is available to students applying to this course from The Self Heal Association. Please write to The Self Heal Association (Registered Charity) 1A Ferndale Road, Exeter, EX2 9BW enclosing an SAE if you would like further information about this.

Payment is required in full by 22nd September at the latest. In exceptional circumstances it is possible to negotiate payment in two instalments, with half the fee paid by 22nd September at the latest and the balance by 14th November.

All images are student work
Topics include;

* Creativity, self esteem and mental health *
* Images, narratives and meaning *
* Therapeutic relationships *
* Working with groups *

* Images as a language *
* Empowerment and disempowerment through art *

Learning is through a series of talks, visual presentations, written materials and participatory groups. The amount of reading undertaken is entirely a matter of personal choice.

The course has an extremely high attendance rate averaging at over 85%.

Getting to know fellow students, sharing diverse experiences and skills is an important aspect of the course.