Conference Reflection

Abstract

This paper reflects on the University of Johannesburg Art Therapy Conference, held in July 2023, focusing on themes of social justice and professionalisation within the arts therapies sector. The author critically examines the intersection of race, coloniality, and professionalisation in the field of arts therapy, particularly in the African context. Drawing on insights from the conference, the reflections highlight the persistent challenges faced by minoritised practitioners and service users, who remain underrepresented and underserved within the profession. The professionalisation of arts therapies is critiqued for perpetuating inequalities, alienating marginalised groups, and reinforcing colonial power dynamics. The paper also explores the tension between altruism and economic necessity in the work of arts therapists, underscoring the exploitation and undervaluation of their labour. Building on Kim Berman's editorial, these reflections call for greater inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and the dismantling of systemic barriers within the arts therapy profession. Our role in this ongoing dialogue and action is crucial as professional colleagues and peers in the arts therapies sector. The conference's discourse offers a platform for us to collectively work toward a more equitable and socially just practice of arts therapy in Africa and beyond.