In recent years, the field of mental health and wellbeing has evolved to embrace more holistic, expressive, and creative modalities. One such approach is Arts-Based Therapy (ABT) — which integrates arts such as music, drama, visual arts, dance, storytelling, etc., into therapy in order to heal, express, and rehabilitate. The ABT Course offered by Zill Botadkar via Lighthouse Arts & Wellbeing Centre is a focused certificate program designed to train practitioners in this modality.
Arts-Based Therapy (ABT) is defined as a structured, evidence-informed use of multiple art forms within a therapeutic setting, where art becomes a medium of communication, exploration, and healing. It differs from pure art or creative hobby classes: the goal is therapeutic, with individualized aims, guided by psychological frameworks and consistent therapeutic relationships. The term ABT was coined by the World Centre for Creative Learning Foundation.
Historical context: In Western countries, art, drama, music therapies have been formalized since mid-20th century (from 1930s onward) with dedicated training, research, and certification.
In India: Although India has a rich tradition of arts and cultural healing, systematic approaches to combining art with therapy are not as established. The ABT Course seeks to bridge this gap — combining Indian cultural/artistic heritage with modern psychological theory and applications.
Broad relevance: The course addresses a wide variety of areas: learning disabilities, intellectual challenges, autism, mental health conditions, de-addiction, palliative care, rehabilitation for survivors of abuse, domestic violence, trauma, issues within LGBTQ communities, and more.
Here are some key highlights and features of the ABT Course:
Feature
Detail
Duration / Size
It’s a 9-month certificate course. Each year, about 20 to 25 applicants are admitted.
Eligibility / Audience
Open to a broad range: students, professionals, experts — psychologists, therapists, counsellors, special educators, social workers, caregivers, psychiatrists, doctors.
Content & Workload
A total of 25 credit hours, amounting to 400 hours combining both theory and practical work.
Applications & Selection
Application form download → fill + required documents → mailed or emailed → followed by interview → confirmation and fee payment upon selection. The faculty reserves the right to accept or reject; an interview is part of the selection.
Certification
Certified by the Lighthouse Arts & Wellbeing Centre.
Participants in this ABT Course are expected to emerge with skills to:
Integrate arts‐based therapeutic interventions into their personal or professional practice.
Work with clients/patients in diverse contexts (e.g., trauma, disability, mental health) using creative modes beyond purely verbal therapies.
Design therapeutic processes that are culturally responsive, expressive, and holistic.
Use art media (painting, storytelling, dance, drama, music, etc.) as tools for healing, expression, regulation, and growth.
Develop greater sensitivity to non-verbal communication and creative expression as part of psychological wellbeing.
As with any course, there are things prospective applicants should consider:
Intensity & commitment: A 9-month programme with 400 hrs means regular time investment. Those with heavy existing professional or academic loads need to plan carefully.
Interview and selection: Admission is competitive; not all applicants are accepted.
Practical resource requirement: Art materials, space, possibly musical / drama equipment — depending on how fully one wants to engage with different art forms.
Cultural adaptation: While the course tries to integrate expressive arts in Indian contexts, therapists must still adapt methods appropriately for different cultural, linguistic, social backgrounds.
The ABT Course by Zill Botadkar at Lighthouse Arts & Wellbeing Centre appears to be an excellent program for those wanting to deepen or begin work in arts-based therapeutic modalities. It offers rigorous training in integrating various art forms into therapeutic practice, with a strong foundation in theory and application. For professionals in counselling, psychology, special education, social work, and related fields, or even for creatives with interest in therapy, this could be a transformative opportunity.