Bangalore, for the creatively inclined

The creative arts have always been credited to be a soothing balm for the soul. But most often, it remains limited to people who are directly involved with it or practice it. But a soon-to-be launched course in the city will see that changing, as it will train professionals from the fields of music, artwork and dance coupled with training in counselling, to extend therapies to kids, young adults and to individuals to bring about a positive change in their lives. The foundation course in creative arts therapies has been designed in tandem with city-based dance expert and therapist Brinda Jacob, NGO Parivarthan Counselling, dance therapist and choreographer Tripura Kashyap, art therapist Susan Bullough Khare, drama therapist Maitri Gopalakrishna and a host of well-renowned experts.

The course, which will span over a year, is a combination of counselling training at Parivarthan and theoretical and practical lessons, which will equip participants to conduct therapy sessions in any one art form of their choice.

“Right now, there is a dearth of trained professionals who are aptly equipped to work in the creative art therapy segment and that’s what led us to designing this course,” offers Brinda, adding that to be a part of this course, one has to have worked or been closely involved with any one form of art in the recent past to be able to understand the discipline. Brinda who runs the Studio for Movement Arts and Therapies (SMART) and has worked in the segment says that creative arts can play a huge role to help an individual express themselves through the medium. “Creative arts are an empowering medium of expression for individuals with learning, physical or mental disabilities and work very well, when one doesn’t respond to verbal counselling. The course will help design sessions based on individual needs,” explains Brinda.