Director's Message

The arts have been one of the greatest healing resources throughout history playing a key role deeply engrained within health traditions cross culturally: dancing for healing and rites of passage, painting for contemplation and insight, drama for communication and enactment, music for relaxation and connection, or poetry for expression.

Ever since the introduction of arts making in therapy, the arts have re-established their role in prevention and treatment, as well as, in achieving wholeness and balance. Whether skilled with a brush or new to playing a drum, everyone has a latent capacity to create; and in this process the arts serve as vessels to transform life experiences and shape/create a new way of being, which is central to the therapeutic process of expressive arts therapy.

Thirty years after the introduction of expressive arts to Hong Kong, we are proud to offer an exciting, innovative and creative training programme, the Master of Expressive Arts Therapy. As the first-of-its-kind programme in Hong Kong and Asia, we will train professionals as expressive arts therapy professionals in healthcare, education and community settings. With increased interest in the arts for health, wellness and growth, now is the perfect time for this newest addition to the family of our Department of Social Work and Social Administration.

Professor Rainbow Ho
Programme Director

Objectives

The programme provides multi-modality (multiple arts forms) training in expressive arts therapy in the fields of healthcare, education, and community development. It aims to cultivate competent clinical and educational specialists ready to lead the development of the field of expressive arts therapy in Hong Kong and Asia.

The objectives of the programme are:

  • to advance expressive arts therapy knowledge exchange and training development in Hong Kong;
  • to ensure that students are grounded in evidence-based expressive arts therapy practice and contributing to research development; and
  • to serve as the hub for international collaboration and local inter-disciplinary training in expressive arts therapy

Learning Outcomes

After the completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  1. Critical intellectual enquiry and acquiring up-to-date knowledge and research skills in expressive arts therapy;
  2. Application of knowledge and research skills to practice or theoretical exploration in expressive arts therapy, demonstrating originality and creativity;
  3. Tackling novel situations and ill-defined problems with expressive arts therapy;
  4. Collaboration and communication of expressive arts therapy knowledge to specialists and the general public;
  5. Awareness of cultural context and adherence to personal and professional ethics in expressive arts therapy; and
  6. Enhancement of leadership and advocacy skills in expressive arts therapy.

Who will benefit from the programme

Healthcare and social service professionals as well as artists and arts educators who wish to become adept in implementing various forms of expressive arts and apply the transformative process of creativity to enable a process of change benefiting clients to complement their clinical and educational practices. This programme will be beneficial for those who may aspire to work in hospitals, schools, social service centres, and agencies serving the needs for children, youth, adult and the elderly with disabilities, emotional/ or learning challenges, chronic illness, psychiatric disorders and personal issues.

What makes the programme special?

International Recognition
International Recognition

Graduates are eligible for professional registration as an Arts Therapist with the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) upon completion of 750 supervised practicum hours.

They are also eligible to seek qualification as a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) with the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) after fulfilling 1,000 supervised practice hours, to be counted after graduation.

Details for registration requirements are contained in the following links:

The curriculum is also aligned with the regulations stipulated by the Health Professions Council of the United Kingdom, but generally UK professional registration is only granted to graduates from UK institutions.

Cultural Values and Holistic Health
Cultural Values and Holistic Health

The programme provides students with the academic and practical experience necessary to be adept practitioners and engage in effective cross-disciplinary practice. In addition to the international standards, there are two key principles that guide the design of the programme:

  • Cultural Values
    The first principle strives to integrate East-West learning. Accordingly, it pays special attention to the application of expressive arts therapy within local culture and with reference to Chinese arts.
  • Holistic Health
    The second principle strives to demonstrate the utility of expressive arts therapy, not only in the prevention of illness, but also in the promotion of holistic health and community development.
Multi-disciplinary Application

Multi-disciplinary Application

As expressive arts therapy can be integrated into a range of clinical, educational and community settings, the programme is designed for a broad spectrum of students:

  • Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, counsellors and pastoral counsellors, rehabilitation and occupational therapists who wish to acquire expressive arts therapy skills to complement their clinical practice;
  • Teachers such as art, music, dance, drama and physical education teachers, as well as, special education teachers; and
  • Professional artists of all disciplines who wish to apply their creative arts in clinical and educational settings.
Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning enables students to critically evaluate their client populations to determine the best ways to serve them through the intentional use of expressive arts therapy. Students will develop an appreciation and respect for how personally engaging in the creative process can lead to opportunities for critical reflection and professional development. They will also have the opportunity to learn from educators from around the world, while at the same time serving as ambassadors for expressive arts therapy that is unique to Asian values and culture. Students will become confident in traditional expressive arts therapy from the West and leaders in a unique Asian-based manner of practice.

International Exposure

International Exposure

The programme is uniquely situated as a gateway to research collaboration and educational exchange of expressive arts therapy in Hong Kong, Asia and the world. Given the status of The University of Hong Kong and a growing interest in expressive arts therapy, the programme is well suited to engage with government agencies, community organizations and our international peers to contribute to the general body of research in expressive arts therapy. For example, current research projects in the US, such as the effects of expressive arts therapy on trauma, neurobiology, and the elderly, can be enhanced by international participation. By cooperating on such projects, we increase knowledge gain, while being mindful of regional and cultural considerations. As an English language curriculum in a major educational institution, we are able to be involved in international exchanges for classroom learning and practicum experience.

Madam Lo Ng Kiu Ying Anita Memorial Prize

The prize is established to honour students with outstanding performance in the practicum.

Career Prospects

The field of expressive arts therapies is relatively new in Hong Kong although there is a growing interest. This programme is geared towards preparing students to work in healthcare, education and community arts sectors. To work in specific post, it may require additional education or credentials beyond what this programme can provide. Applicants are encouraged to research what requirements are necessary for their desired career path.

After completion of this programme, you may use the title Expressive Arts Therapist. You may want to seek additional qualifications by applying for professional membership in the relevant international associations such as International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) and Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA). Please look for more information from the section of International Recognition.