Executive committee 2009

Kirsi Huttula, chairman, reporter

Art Psychotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist

Daniela Seeskari, vice – chaiman

Art Therapist, Psychologist

Marjo Karppanen, secretary

Art Psychotherapy Student, Psychologist, Psychotherapist

Liisa Hakkarainen, treasurer

Art Therapist, Bachelor of Health Care and Social Services, Psychotherapist

Mervi Mattila

Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist

Benita Salmelin

Art Psychotherapist, Social Worker, Psychotherapist

Honorary chairman

ANTTI ALANKO, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst

Honorary members

KALLE ACHTE, professor

TERTTU ARAJÄRVI, professor

TESSA DALLEY, BA(Hons), Dip.AT, Dip.Psych., RA Th

ERNST FINNILÄ, M.A.

ARTHUR ROBBINS, professor USA

JUDITH RUBIN, professor USA

JOY SCHAVERIEN, professor England

KALEVI SEPPÄLÄ, psychiatrist

HARRIET WADESON, professor USA

RAFAEL WARDI, artist

LEO MUSTONEN, artist

TOIVO PIHKANEN, professor

Aim

The aim of the Finnish Art Therapy Association is to promote the practice and research of art therapy in Finland.

Art therapy refers to the use of visual self-expression in a therapeutic relationship. Interaction in art therapy is created by visual and verbal self-expression. The goals of art therapy depend on the needs and life situation of the client.

Art therapy can facilitate means of expressing feelings and thoughts and thus promote self-understanding of the client. The aim may also be to enable the development and promote the sense of unity of one´s personality. Art therapy may open new channels for the development of creativity and give new means for facing and processing psychological crisis and traumatic situations. Art therapy methods can also be used for preventive mental health work with all age groups to promote mental health.

Activities

The main focus of the activity during the last ten years has been in training issues. The Finnish Art therapy Association has training programmes on two levels in co-operation with Helsinki University Vantaa Institute for Continuing Education. The first programme is a 3-4 years specializing programme in art therapy for professionals working at the institutes of social and health care. After finishing the programme students may apply for the title of art therapist registered by the Finnish Art Therapy Association. The second training programme is in art psychotherapy and it´s duration is 2,5 years. It is offered to psychotherapists and psychoanalysts as a continuing education. After finishing the programme these psychotherapists may also use the title art psychotherapist registeredby the Finnish Art Therapy Association. They practice as independent art psychotherapists. The theoretical framework is psychodynamic for both of the programmes. FATA arranges also a few days’ seminars and meetings for the members and follows up the development of art therapy in Finland and abroad.

Publication

Once a year FATA publishes the bulletin TAIDETERAPIA (art therapy) and also newsletters.

The website of FATA: www.suomentaideterapiayhdistys.fi

www.finnisharttherapyassociation.fi

The first text book in art psychotherapy in Finnish will be published by the Finnish Art Therapy Association and the publishing company Duodecim in 2008.

Members

The number of FATA members is about 200 and they come from different parts of Finland representing various professions like medical doctors, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists and artists.

Membership

One can apply for the membership by fulfilling a form sent by the secretary.

International

FATA is a member of AATA (The American Art Therapy Association) and BAAT (The British Association of Art

Therapists). It co-operates with other Nordic art therapy associations.

Address

Finnish Art Therapy Association

c/o Kirsi Huttula

Runeberginkatu 61 c 66

SF- 00260 Helsinki

Finland

e-mail: puheenjohtaja@suomentaideterapiayhdistys.fi