Art Therapy-based Formulation

Formulation of reasons for and goals of therapy enables co-production of an intervention plan tailored to the individual's needs. Despite formulation becoming a mainstream component of psychological therapy, many practitioners have received little training. As service users may not find verbal approaches the most accessible this course demonstrates the potential of an art therapy approach to formulation with children and adults.

**This course is open to qualified Art Therapists and other qualified Creative Therapists and Health Professionals from around the world**

The course will outline the basics of formulation, with examples of formulations drawn from mainstream psychological therapies. It will give careful consideration to the needs of those who use art therapy services and then to how existing art therapy practices can be added to formulation in order to strengthen it as a basis for treatment.

On completion of this course you will be able to:

• Understand how formulation is used in psychological therapy

• Define what makes effective formulation

• Use existing art therapy skills to enhance the formulation approach

Dr. Neil Springham was a course leader at Goldsmiths College, co-founded the Art Therapy Practice Research Network and was twice elected chair of BAAT. He is a NHS borough lead for psychological therapies, has a PhD in Psychology and practices as a consultant art therapist in the NHS working with people diagnosed with personality disorder.

Alex McDonald has been an Art Therapist working with children since 2005. Alex has an MRes in Clinical Research, coordinates the Art Therapy Practice Research Network, and is Co-Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Art Therapy: Inscape. She is currently an Officer and Tutor at the British Association of Art Therapists.

Convenors: Neil Springham & Alex McDonald