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The Arts in Community, Philosophy and Psychotherapy is a proposed stand alone certificate course and an introduction to study at the PA. 

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​Participants may be completely new to psychotherapy and the arts, or they may already have undertaken psychological or psychotherapeutic training and wish to deepen their interest and practice within the ethos of the Philadelphia Association.

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Participants may also be creative practitioners interested in working alongside others through collaborative and group-based processes. No prior experience of the arts or psychotherapy is required, only a commitment to participating in an engaged and arts-orientated group.

 

Course Overview

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The course will take place over twelve Saturdays, from 10.30am–5pm, beginning January 2027 at Marty’s Yard in Hampstead, North London.

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The course will consist of a morning seminar followed by an experiential afternoon session where 'making' and ‘thinking about making’ form a key part of the process. Participants will be invited to work on their own art pieces and to share ‘works in progress'.

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​Curiosity about experiences of making and relating will be explored across the twelve weeks.

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A space will be provided at the end of the course for work to be shared, potentially with an invited audience. Participants may choose their own artistic form or medium, including film, music, photography, movement, drama, drawing, writing, poetry or performance.

 

Requirements

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The PA has never prioritised academic qualifications over other forms of skill and experience. It is inevitable that participation in groups, and the creative process itself, can stir strong feelings. Therefore, in addition to a willingness to make space for these experiences, we encourage participants to remain open to, and make use of, the art- making process itself.

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Being a student at the PA affords access to our small library, invitations to regular PA events, and opportunities to contribute to the PA newsletter.

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​This course is experimental at its heart, reflecting a central concern with creativity, and takes a philosophical and critically engaged approach to the arts in community and psychotherapy.

 

Sessions are facilitated by Arts Therapists, Psychotherapists and Arts Practitioners, most of whom are Philadelphia Association members.

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Applications and Fees

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Application is by interview.

Course cost: £890 (basic arts materials supplied).

There are a limited number of bursaries available for students on low incomes.

Interviews for the course begin in September 2027

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If you are interested in applying for this course email

Amy Ison at amyappagroup@gmail.com or Andrew Royle at royley9@yahoo.co.uk for further details.

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PROGRAMME

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10.30am – 1pm

The visiting facilitator structures the morning session around a modality from the arts therapies or from their own arts practice.

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1pm – 1.45pm

Lunch Break

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1.45pm – 3.30pm

Facilitated each week by Amy Ison and Andrew Royle

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Warm-up Activity

​Discussion with participants regarding connections between the morning’s activities

and impulses towards 'making something'

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3.30pm – 3.45pm

Break

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3.45pm – 4.30pm

Participants are invited to share 'works in progress'.

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4.30pm – 5pm

Plenary reflections and discussion on the day, including ideas for continuing work before the next session.