Learners will be introduced to several theories concerning the development milestones of drawing, covering on the different aspects, similarities and differences of drawing development which includes scribbling, doodling, sketching and, of course, drawing itself, from the time an infant begins to scribble through toddlerhood, childhood and adolescence to adulthood. You will learn about the hidden psyche (unconscious, subconscious and conscious states of mind) of a drawer and their complexities of mind, i.e., the drawer’s mind, in terms of four key domains of mindspace: inquisitive, ideological, imaginative and affective. Learners will learn about Goodenough Draw-a-Person Test and how it is administered to determine a drawer’s intellectual capacity or cognitive maturity. 

Learners will be introduced to Draw-a-Person (DaP) technique and how it is used in identifying different indicators for emotion, aggression, depression, anxiety, stress as well as traits related to autism and other mental related disorders. Learners will also be introduced to three different techniques in drawing a family: (1) Draw-a-Family (DAF); (2) Family Drawing Test (FDT); and (3) My Family Projective Drawing Test (MFPDT). Each of them, though with some slight differences among them, serves a different purpose. Learners will also learn about House-Tree-Person (HTP) Drawing Test or technique. You will be taught to apply three projective drawing techniques covering three different schemata that are used in the HTP drawing technique: (1) Draw-a-House (DaH); Draw-a-Tree (DaT); and Draw-a-Person (DaP).

Learners will also learn about the Symbolic and Archetypal scoring of the drawings and your interpretation. Drawings produced are seen as being a product or outcome of ‘a dialogue among the hand, the eye, and the urge to symbolize reality’ (Golomb, 1988, p.234)., which Vygostsky (cited in Dyson, 1982) has described as some sort of graphic speech. The artifacts or iconographs seen in a drawing constitute the archetypal meanings of what the subconscious is expressing through its narration (verbal and non-verbal). You will be introduced to different scoring schemes (e.g., Goodenough, Goodenough-Harris, Koppitz, Buck, Hammer, Burns, Hardin & Peterson, Gilbert, etc.). You will learn about what mind age or mindfulness age is all about. The learners will be provided the SHFD Archetypal Scoring and Interpretation (SHFD-ASI) Tool to learn how to administer, score and interpret.

All learners are required to complete their practicum under a supervisor assigned to them by the Merlion Academy. During the Practicum Module A of 60 hours, learners are required to demonstrate what the projective drawing techniques that you have acquired from the four modules into actual application with their clients or others whom you are working directly with. You will be provided full guidance (via online) by your assigned supervisors. The supervisor will advise you on the format of preparing a report for submission. You are to submit your diagnostic drawing reports to your assigned supervisors for examination and feedback. During the Practicum Module B of 60 hours, learners will be provided guided online supervision (unless they encounter problems, especially in difficult cases) to demonstrate their skills in applying appropriate projective drawing techniques acquired from the four modules into practice with their clients or others whom you are working directly with. You are to submit your case reports to your assigned supervisors for examination and feedback. 

This one-year programme provides learners without prior knowledge to embark a career as a Dialogic-Diagnostic Arts Therapist. The programme represents practical knowledge, skills, capabilities and competencies. The programme is accredited by the International Association of Therapists. Graduates could gain a maximum of two module exemptions of the Practising Licence Programmes with the renowned professional body International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT) based in the United States of America (USA). 

The IACT is a prestigious professional body that admits any member who have fulfilled the rigorous Practising Licence Programmes and requirements to obtain practising membership as a counsellor and therapist. Membership with the IACT is a mark of high standard and excellence. Practising members are not only knowledgeable and skilled, but are also highly respected as well. They are eligible to set up therapy or special education needs centers globally, and provide intervention and therapy programmes from children, adolescents to adults with special education needs. 

Merlion Academy is authorised to supervise and verify candidates’ work seeking to gain admission as an IACT’s member.

The units of the programme are: