yen chua

About the Art Therapist

 

Yen Chua is a certified art therapist and one of the founding members of the Art Therapists' Association of Singapore (ATAS). She graduated with a Master of Arts (Art Therapy) in 2007 from LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore; a Master of Arts (Research) in 2002 from the National Institute of Education, Singapore. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1993 from the San Francisco Art Institute, USA.

 

Yen has worked in a wide range of settings with individuals and groups from different age, race, language and social background. She has worked with people who have social-emotional issues, addiction, rehabilitation, behavioural problems, trauma and other mental health issues.

 

About Art Therapy

 

Art therapy ‘uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages’. It uses the creative process involved in artistic self-expression to help people ‘resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behaviour, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight’. Art therapy ‘integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counselling and psychotherapy’.

 

It can be used to assess and treat mental, emotional, physical, cognitive, neurological and psychosocial problems. It can be used with people of all ages and can be found in a number of settings including hospitals, public and community agencies, wellness centres, educational institutions, businesses as well as private practices. 

 

Qualifications

 

Art therapists are Master’s Level professional degree holder in Art Therapy or a related field. Educational requirements include: theories of art therapy, counselling, and psychotherapy; ethics and standards of practice; assessment and evaluation; individual, group, and family techniques; human and creative development; multicultural issues; research methods; and practicum experiences in clinical, community, and/or other settings. 

 

Art therapists also need to be skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media) for assessment and treatment.  

       

(Source: American Art Therapy Association )