Members specialising in creative arts and experiential therapies will have a new professional home within PACFA - the College of Creative and Experiential Therapies (C.CET).
PACFA’s colleges offer members the opportunity to network with others who share their professional interests, as well as host events, conduct research, and advocate for the profession.
In a ballot that closed on 15 May, PACFA Council delegates voted unanimously in favour of creating C.CET, after Convenor Dr Carla van Laar and Deputy Convenor Dr Alisoun Neville presented to delegates at the Council Information Session on 11 May.
In their application to Council, Dr van Laar and Dr Neville outlined the strong evidence base for the effectiveness of ‘more than verbal’ therapies, including research from the World Health Organisation (2019), relevant literature reviews and bibliographies, expert opinion, and the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (2021).
C.CET are now inviting applications from provisional and clinical PACFA member practitioners who specialise in creative and experiential therapies to join their inaugural Leadership Group as an ordinary member, with applications due by midday Monday 20 June.
Volunteering on a PACFA Leadership Group is an excellent way to contribute to advancing the profession, and provides valuable professional experience.
The Leadership Group will begin developing the criteria for membership of C.CET. Once finalised, PACFA will inform members about the criteria and how they can join the College. This process should be completed by the end of 2022.
PACFA thanks Dr van Laar, Dr Neville, and all of the members of the C.CET working group for their valuable contributions to the successful application.
Read the member profile about the College’s inaugural Convenor, Dr Carla van Laar.
Read the bios of C.CET’s inaugural Convenor and Deputy Convenor.
Watch PACFA member, artist, and psychotherapist Noula Diamantopoulos take comedian Celia Pacquola through an art therapy activity to help with anxious thoughts.