Dubai: Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) is organising a specialised training workshop titled “Art Therapy” as part of its Inclusive Rehabilitation Initiative, with the aim of strengthening professional knowledge and skills in utilising art as a therapeutic approach that supports mental health and social well-being.

The workshop will be held from 23 to 25 June 2026 and will bring together more than 60 professionals from across the UAE working in the fields of psychology, social work, child and family protection, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation.

The workshop forms part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to develop professional competencies and equip practitioners with the latest specialised knowledge and practices. It will explore the applications of art therapy as a contemporary therapeutic approach that uses creativity as a tool for psychological and social support, enabling individuals to express their experiences and emotions through non-verbal means while fostering self-awareness, recovery, and psychological resilience.

The workshop focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge and practical tools needed to apply art therapy in the fields of psychological and social support and rehabilitation. Participants will learn how to use artistic expression as a means of understanding human experiences and enhancing communication with individuals across different age groups, helping advance professional practices and improve the effectiveness of mental health support interventions.

The training program includes a range of specialized theoretical and practical modules covering the psychology of drawings and the interpretation of their emotional and psychological indicators, stages of artistic expression, and the concept of projection in art. It will also examine the use of drawing and colors in understanding psychological and behavioral needs, in addition to exploring art therapy applications in addressing a variety of psychological, social, and developmental challenges. These topics will further enhance professionals’ ability to incorporate art therapy within various support and rehabilitation plans.

Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with practical case studies and applications that deepen their understanding of the psychological dimensions associated with artistic expression and support the effective integration of this approach across different professional environments in accordance with specialised scientific and professional standards.

In this context, Her Excellency Sheikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, affirmed that the Foundation remains committed to developing specialized programs that keep pace with emerging professional practices in the fields of care, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation. She noted that such initiatives contribute to strengthening the readiness of national professionals and enhancing their ability to employ modern approaches that improve the quality of services provided to individuals and families.

Her Excellency added: “Art therapy represents one of the professional models that has demonstrated its effectiveness in enhancing communication and enabling a deeper understanding of human experiences through the use of creativity as a space for expression and interaction. Through this workshop, we seek to broaden specialised knowledge among practitioners and enrich their professional tools, empowering them to provide more comprehensive and responsive support that meets the diverse needs of beneficiaries. This reflects our belief that the continuous development of professional practices is a fundamental pillar in building a more inclusive, supportive, and empowering service system.”