Therapeutic services

The main program at the Centre for the Arts in Human Development provides group therapy in four creative arts therapies modalities – art therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, and dance/movement therapy – to participant cohorts who attend the program for a three-year period. In addition, individual therapy is provided to selected participants within the cohort and individuals referred from external resources.

The Centre has an ongoing partnership agreement with the West Montreal Readaptation Centre for the provision of therapeutic services. Significant and observable improvements in self-esteem, confidence and social skills have been documented.

Admission criteria

The Centre for the Arts in Human Development accepts a group of 20 individuals into its program every two years. This group attends the Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays for the first two years of the program, following Concordia’s academic calendar, and has the option of attending for a third year on Wednesdays.

Referrals are through the individual’s social worker or educator from a readaptation centre or CLSC. There is a waiting list for the program. Names are added to the waiting list until the admission process begins every two years. Priority is given to users from the CIUSS-ODIM. During the admission process, the Centre will invite the referring worker to complete an application form and schedule an interview for the individual, a family member/caregiver and the referring worker.

Readaptation centres are required to contribute financially for referrals accepted into the program. Participants in the Centre’s program are also required to contribute financially each year ($400 in 2018).

The selection criteria is based on many factors, such as:

·       Candidates must be over age 21

·       Must have a mild to moderate intellectual/developmental disability

·       Candidates must personally be interested in being part of the program

·       Must be independent in daily living skills (hygiene, eating, dressing)

·       No recent history of aggression

·       Must be currently stable if there is a history of psychiatric diagnosis (two years of stability)

·       Must be interested in the arts (at least two of drama, dance, visual arts, music)

·       Must have a therapeutic need for the program (such as improved self-esteem, anxiety reduction, social skill improvement, improved communication skills)

·       Must be willing to participate in group therapies

·       Must have sufficient mobility to walk around the campus in all weather conditions and use some stairs

·       Must be willing to commit to being part of the program for at least two years

·       Family members/caregivers must be supportive of the candidates participation

·       Family members/caregivers that are interested in playing a supportive role with the organization would be an asset

·       The Centre strives to create cohesive groups of people who will work well together for everyone’s benefit

If you are interested in applying to the Centre's program, please have the individual's social worker or educator make a referral to Lenore Vosberg at cahd@concordia.ca or 514-848-2424 ext. 8619.

The next participant group will begin the three-year program in September 2018. The admission process has begun for 2018.

We are currently accepting the names of applicants who are interested in the program for 2020. 

Possibilities exist for individual therapy with creative arts therapies interns for the 2018-2019 year. Social workers or educators may make referrals for their clients to Lenore Vosberg at cahd@concordia.ca or 514-848-2424 ext. 8619.