HART

 

The Croatian Art Therapy Association (HART) is a non profit professional organization dedicated to the growth and development of the art therapy profession.  HART was founded in 2018 and become a regional leading art therapy art therapy membership organization.  HART was founded by students of the first Postgraduate Art Therapy  Program at the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, Croatia, and their professor and mentor Mercedes  BalbeeTerMaat, Ph.D., who become the first president of HART. HART started as a passion project with a small team and over the past years, it has evolved into a regional leading art therapy association with a dedicated team of skilled professionals.  

​

HART is a fully recognized member of the European Association for Art Therapy (EFAT). https://www.arttherapyfederation.eu/               

​

​

​

VISION 

​

We empower people of all ages and abilities and at all stages of life to reach their full potential trough the transformative power of using visual arts with elements of music, dance and drama.

​

​

​

MISSION 

 

HART is dedicated to development and promotion of highest standards of the profession of art therapy and its practice, to initiate and maintain the relationships among art therapy professionals in Croatia and the world.

 

HART encourage its professional members to be committed to non discrimination on any basis, social justice and to serve as a peaceful resource in their communities.

​

​

​

DEFINITION OF ART THERAPY

​

Art therapy is an established form of therapy delivered by professionally trained art therapists with university qualifications. These practitioners utilize visual art with elements of music, dance, and drama to facilitate self-expression and communication of clients.  

​

​