Child Art Psychotherapy

The Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy (CAP) is founded on the principle that images and their creation have a distinct relationship with the unconscious. The CAP modality is an integrative approach to psychotherapy for children and adolescents, drawing from a number of traditions including Psychoanalytic / Object Relations, Humanistic & Integrative psychotherapy, and Jungian analytical psychology, amongst others. The creation of images in the presence of a trained Child Art Psychotherapist assists young people who may struggle to express their difficulties verbally to experience insight, develop understanding, create meaning, and promote positive change in their lives. The client’s feelings and experiences are explored through the simultaneous production of art work and verbal discussion with the Child Art Psychotherapist in a safe, contained therapeutic space. The images and art work created by young people in the psychotherapeutic context are seen as the primary mode of communication between the child and therapist. CAP has been shown to be very effective in providing a pathway for the child or adolescent to work through their difficulty and distress.



Students of the programme develop an understanding of the fundamental theories and principles of psychotherapy, and are taught the Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy. Individual and small group supervision are integral aspects of the course, as are personal psychotherapy, group process, and clinical placements.



Art psychotherapy is internationally recognised as an effective support for children with mental health difficulties and is utilised across clinical, educational, and private settings. The Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy [CAP] is a specific method of art psychotherapy for children and adolescents up to the age of 18, originally developed in the UK by Vera Vasarhelyi within the context of a multidisciplinary Child and Adolescent Mental Health team setting. CAP is a psychodynamic approach to art psychotherapy, where young people are supported in exploring and processing past experiences and current difficulties at both conscious and unconscious levels. This exploration is done through the medium of art materials in a safe and contained therapeutic space. As described by Vera Vasarhelyi (1990), ‘The symbolic content of images can facilitate a unique insight into the dynamics of the unconscious, and allow the privilege of seeing hidden processes, which would otherwise remain largely inaccessible to exploration.’



This graduate level programme is open to candidates who are working with children and young people in difficulty will find this programme invigorating. It will make an invaluable contribution to their career and to their commitment to work with vulnerable children and young people. It is also inspiring for those who are working with children with long-term physical illnesses. Graduates of the programme who hold prior qualifications in psychotherapy, social work, and other allied professions have found work in clinical mental health settings. Other graduates have found work in educational, voluntary, and statutory organisations, while others who have attained sufficient clinical experience in different settings work in private practice.



What Will I Learn?

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the theory and practice of the Vasarhelyi method of child art psychotherapy and its application in a variety of clinical settings .

• Demonstrate a capacity to integrate and apply learning from all components of the training.

• Demonstrate clinical competence, the ability to critically evaluate and reflect on his/her own therapeutic intervention. To work with autonomy while also working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Demonstrate a capacity to engage in supervision and critical evaluation of one's own practice.

• Understand the importance of organisational and ethical issues.

• Strive to reach the necessary academic, clinical and experiential standard as set out by the relevant accrediting professional body.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:

Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year.

MDCS41680 Introduction to Psychotherapeutic Models 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

MDCS42640 Vasarhelyi Mtd&TrainExp Part 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10

MDCS42670 Research Skills Autumn 5

MDCS42680 Mental Health: young people Autumn 5

MDCS42560 CAP Clinical Placement 1 Year-long (12 months) 10

MDCS42600 Supervision of Clin Practice 1 Year-long (12 months) 10



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:

Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year.

MDCS41690 Psychotherapeutic Models 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

MDCS42650 Vasarhelyi Mtd&TrainExp Part 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

MDCS40240 Development of Pictorial Thinking Spring 5

MDCS42570 CAP Clinical Placement 2 Year-long (12 months) 10

MDCS42610 Supervision of Clin Practice 2 Year-long (12 months) 10

MDCS42660 CAP Minor Dissertation Year-long (12 months) 10



Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:

Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year.

MDCS42500 Child&Adolst Psychopathology 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

MDCS42520 CAP Clinical Paper 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10

MDCS42540 CAP Seminar 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

MDCS42580 CAP Clinical Placement 3 Year-long (12 months) 10

MDCS42620 Supervision of Clin Practice 3 Year-long (12 months) 10



Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:

Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year.

MDCS42510 Child&Adolst Psychopathology 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

MDCS42550 CAP Seminar 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

MDCS42530 CAP Clinical Paper 2 Year-long (12 months) 20

MDCS42590 CAP Clinical Placement 4 Year-long (12 months) 10

MDCS42630 Supervision CAP Clin Practice Year-long (12 months) 10

Eligibility criteria:

• A third level degree or equivalent is required.

• Experience of working with children and adolescents within mental health or educational settings is an advantage.

• Applicants are short-listed on the basis of their previous professional experience and the short-listed candidates are interviewed to assess their suitability.

• Successful applicants will be required to consent to garda clearance being sought which is standard procedure for professionals engaged in direct work with young people.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

4 years part-time. Delivery: On Campus.

X997: Child Art Psychotherapy Professional Masters Part-time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught