Master in Art Psychological Counseling

Many children have developmental and psychological challenges these days, and as such, professional diagnosis and art therapy intervention for these issues are urgently needed. To actively cope with these social problems, the Department aims to train and foster art counseling specialists who can provide diagnostic evaluation and art therapy services in clinical and special education therapy fields.

Society has recently been experiencing several challenges including the dissolution of traditional concepts of the family; increases in divorce rates; intensifying and excessive competition for academic performance and achievements; internet and social media addiction; the alienation of the elderly; and deepening social polarization. As a result, psychological confusion and emotional disorders have soared rapidly. As such, the incidence of various psychological disorders (including learning disorders; employment issues; delinquent behavior; internet addiction; depression and other emotional disorders; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; bullying; post-traumatic stress disorder; and identity and adjustment disorder) among children and adolescents who are vulnerable to crises and emotional disorders is increasing rapidly. Likewise, the elderly are suffering from issues such as alienation, suicide, divorce, and depression. In addition, discrimination against the disabled, including those with developmental and special disabilities, continues in schools and workplaces, and as such, these people suffer from secondary problems such as discrimination, bullying, and depression. Accordingly, private counseling, psychological treatment, and rehabilitation services to prevent and respond to such problems have recently been expanded in Korea. The government, municipal and provincial offices, and education offices at various levels have also expanded and implemented such services including Voucher Project, Wee Center, Youth Counseling Center, Regional Children's Center, Placement of Professional Counseling Teachers in Schools, Multicultural Family Center, and Internet Addiction Counseling Center. In line with this social trend, art counseling has also become more prevalent. Likewise, awareness and demand for art counseling, as well as increased recognition of its effectiveness, is increasing. In particular, because art counseling focuses mainly on art as its main medium, it is receiving positive responses from a wide range of people, including patients with physical ailments, the elderly, children with developmental and other disabilities, as well as those with psychological disabilities. In other words, art counseling is being used as an important therapeutic method, while it is also in the spotlight for boosting desire and motivation for life and promoting overall mental health.