Navigating the Shifting Sand Dunes

As Arts Therapy practitioners, we might find that the landscapes we inhabit within our profession can be unstable at times.

Currently, in the Australian health climate, many of us are working within systems that are subject to flux. These systems have shown to shift unexpectedly, and we may find structures that at one moment hold us, the next may feel less secure. Practice and employment pathways, which once felt more reliable, may also now require us to renegotiate our way forward, and educational pathways may need extra careful consideration.

Although not always visible, the reality is the unstable nature of these ‘shifting sand dunes’ often sits in the background of our work- shaping our field in ways that are not always comfortable. It can influence how we practice and how we plan for the future, as well as how we can sustain ourselves, whilst supporting others.

This page exists simply to acknowledge this reality.

So, if your footing feels insecure at times (or even potentially over-extended periods of time), I would like to reflect this does not necessarily reflect a problem with either you or your practice- it simply may be that the ground you are walking on is shifting like ‘sand’ sometimes does on unstable dunes.

As you explore the pages of this Map, you might even like to consider these shifting sands and how they impact you and your work. In times of uncertainty, you might also find it useful to notice what supports you (as well as your colleagues and peers), and what helps you to continue to navigate these shifting dunes with deep care and integrity.

To find your way back to the Arts Therapy Ecology Map - simply follow this ‘Bush Track Marker’