RECRUITING A CREATIVE OR EXPERIENTIAL THERAPIST TO YOUR TEAM?

Dear Employer, Team Leader, or Manager,

Introducing PACFA’s College of Creative and Experiential Therapies

I am pleased to inform you of the establishment of the College of Creative and Experiential Therapies (C.CET) within the self-regulatory framework provided by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

This article provides important information that will help you to update your policies regarding the qualifications and registration requirements of Creative Arts and Experiential Therapy employees.

As you may know, PACFA is the peak body for tertiary qualified Psychotherapists and Counsellors in Australia. This includes our registrants who meet the requirements for membership of C.CET, who have been duly vetted and registered as safe and effective therapeutic practitioners specialising in Creative Arts and Experiential Therapy.

Tertiary qualified Creative Arts and Experiential Therapists, such Art Therapists, Drama Therapists, Dance/Movement Therapists, Music Therapists, Play Therapists and Equine Therapists, are choosing PACFA as their professional registering body, for a number of excellent reasons.

1. PACFA is a full member of the Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), and has rigorous National professional standards.

2. PACFA registrants work within our code of ethical conduct and are registered providers of therapeutic services.

3. All our members listed in the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP).

4. PACFA has strong community partnerships, and

5. PACFA registration is a criterion for employment in many respected government and non-government organisations.

In addition to PACFA’s training standards for the minimum professional level of qualification of Certified Clinical Counsellor, applicants for C.CET membership must also be accredited against the C.CET membership criteria.

As PACFA College, C.CET has clearly defined professional standards that provide guidance for professional members, employers and service users. C.CET’s goals include enriching the profession through community building, professional development, advocacy, and visibility for the diverse Creative and Experiential Therapies within the ecosystem of Australia’s mental health service system.

Employers and training institutions are invited to add “Professional Registration with PACFA” to their selection criteria for Creative Arts and Experiential Therapist roles within their organisation.

Creative Arts and Experiential Therapists registered with PACFA refer to themselves by their qualifications, such as Master of Art Therapy, and use the professional registration details “Certified Practicing” (Post nominals: PACFA Cert Prac or CPC) or “Clinical Registrant” (Post nominals: PACFA Clin Reg or RCC). See signature footer below by way of an example.

We encourage you to alter your position descriptions, policies and practices so that they reflect the appropriate qualification level (eg AQF 7, 8, 9 or 10 / Bachelor, Grad Dip, Masters or Doctorate) and the need for professional registration of candidates for employment and placement opportunities. We ask you to list PACFA as an appropriate registering body for professional Art Therapists and Creative Arts Therapists.

The Victorian Government recently set a precedent by formally recognising PACFA-registered Creative Arts Therapists as suitable candidates to deliver mental health services in Victorian schools. Please see the letter in Appendix a) confirming this Government recognition.

As the Convenor of C.CET, I am happy to talk further with you to answer any queries you may have about PACFA registered Creative Arts and Experiential Therapists.

On behalf of PACFA, I ask that you consider PACFA’s suitably qualified members for any current and future Creative Arts Therapy and/or Experiential Therapy roles within your organisation

Best regards,

Dr Carla van Laar MCAT DThAP 

Convenor, PACFA College of Creative and Experiential Therapies

PACFA Clinical Registrant 27769 and Accredited Supervisor

0410 403 270

carlavanlaar@gmail.com