Art Therapists’ Experiences of Establishing Services as English Speakers in an Arabic Country (N/NY-MC6114)
Papers
Trish Bedford, Expressive Arts Psychotherapist
Trish Bedford; HCPC registered Art Therapist working across all services in Naufar Wellness Hospital for substance misuse and co-morbid disorders, the first of it's kind in Qatar. Prior to this post Bedford worked intensive bespoke couple and individual art therapy with a unique addiction service in London. Bedford was previously a therapeutic Case worker with Refugees whilst undertaking her 'Refuge care' Masters program. In parallel with over a decade in the field of art therapy/autism/ looked after children. Bedford is currently an advisor for psychosocial training in Idlib, Syria with Qatar Red Crescent.
Michelle Dixon, MA, ANZACATA
Michelle Dixon is a registered ANZACATA Art Therapist who currently works at Sidra Medicine, one of the first children’s art therapy programs in the GCC region. She has a passion for working with children and family members across the hospital environment including cancer care, palliative, bereavement care and chronic illness.
This presentation will explore the development of art therapy in two diverse settings in Qatar. It will highlight advantages such as the freedom for creativity, opportunities for growth, and challenges such as lack of understanding of art therapy’s impact, a lack of professional support, and psycho-cultural factors.