Proven and Transformative: The Evidence for Arts Therapy
Last week’s exciting announcement from the NDIA that the reclassification of Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) has been paused marks a significant milestone for advocacy efforts—a moment to celebrate the power of collective action. However, this pause is just the beginning. The independent review, led by Dr. Stephen Duckett and set to conclude in March 2025, will ultimately determine CAT’s future within the NDIS. Its findings will shape whether CAT continues to be recognised and funded as a vital therapeutic support.
This review provides a crucial opportunity to showcase the robust evidence demonstrating CAT’s transformative impact, particularly its ability to improve participants’ functional capacity in communication, mobility, and psychosocial well-being. In this post, I’ll delve into the evidence supporting CAT and explore why presenting it effectively is key to securing its place as a cornerstone of the NDIS framework.
The Review
The NDIA’s independent review, led by health economist Dr. Stephen Duckett, represents a pivotal moment for the future of Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) within the NDIS. Scheduled for completion by March 2025, the review will assess three critical areas:
Clinical Efficacy: How CAT improves functional capacity in communication, mobility, and psychosocial well-being.
Practitioner Standards: Qualifications and registration requirements for CAT practitioners.
Pricing Structures: Balancing affordability for participants with sustainability for providers.
These findings will determine CAT’s recognition as a funded therapeutic support under the NDIS. Robust evidence of CAT’s transformative impact will be central to shaping the review’s outcomes and securing its place in the framework.
The stakes are high. If the review validates CAT’s efficacy, it will affirm its critical role in fostering emotional regulation, resilience, and social connection for participants. However, without sustained advocacy and compelling evidence, CAT’s accessibility and funding remain uncertain. As ANZACATA stated, “The NDIA’s decision to defer changes underscores the importance of evidence-based deliberations to preserve accessibility for people with disability.”
Advocacy efforts, including public campaigns and personal testimonials, must now focus on strengthening CAT’s case. By presenting research, stories, and clinical outcomes, we can influence the review process and ensure CAT remains an essential option for those who need it most.
The Evidence
The evidence supporting Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) demonstrates its significant contributions to key areas aligned with the NDIS’s criteria for funding: emotional regulation, communication, mobility, and psychosocial functioning. Each category below outlines relevant evidence and real-life testimonials to highlight CAT’s transformative impact.
Improving Emotional Regulation and Psychosocial Well-Being
CAT is highly effective in improving emotional regulation, reducing anxiety and depression, and fostering resilience—core components of psychosocial functioning, a priority under NDIS criteria.
Evidence:
Bololia et al. (2022) demonstrated significant improvements in emotional regulation and decreased maladaptive behaviour in autistic children.
World Health Organisation (2019) reported that “the arts have a significant impact on health and well-being across different stages of life and conditions.”
"Participants who engaged with art therapy experienced improvements in depression, anxiety, and significant improvements in overall general quality of life" (Kopytin & Lebedev, 2013).
Real-Life Impact:
Dr. Matthew Roberts, a Melbourne-based psychiatrist, shared the story of Rebecca, a music therapist, who worked with a patient with schizophrenia. The patient described their experience:
“Since starting music therapy, my mental state and motivation have improved. It is people like Rebecca who are changing the world for people living with mental health diagnoses.”
Enhancing Physical and Cognitive Abilities
CAT interventions enhance fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive flexibility, contributing to mobility and functional independence—key measures under the NDIS.
Evidence:
Hickman et al. (2022) found that dance therapy sessions (60–150 minutes per week) significantly reduced chronic pain and improved mobility.
Cucca et al. (2021) reported enhanced visual exploration strategies in Parkinson’s patients who participated in art therapy.
"Music therapy group increased quantitative anisotropy in key brain pathways, correlating with improved executive function for people with traumatic brain injury" (Sihvonen et al., 2022).
"Art therapy using drawing improved pain levels, resilience, and other psychosocial factors" (Hass-Cohen et al., 2021).
Real-Life Impact:
Through art therapy, children can improve their dexterity and hand-eye coordination and feel proud of their accomplishments, boosting their self-esteem and confidence. By engaging in hands-on art therapy activities, autistic children can develop greater body awareness and improve their overall physical coordination.
Facilitating Communication and Social Connection
CAT fosters communication and social interaction by creating non-verbal, inclusive environments—particularly beneficial for neurodivergent participants or those with disabilities affecting verbal communication. These outcomes directly address NDIS goals related to communication and social participation.
Evidence:
Darewych (2021) found that music therapy improved speech and executive functions like attention in autistic children.
McDonald & Holttum (2020) reported enhanced classroom engagement and improved teacher-student relationships through art therapy.
Real-Life Impact:
Kai, a young boy with autism, achieved significant milestones in speech and social engagement through music therapy. His mother shared:
“He speaks more at music therapy, and it’s where we finally started seeing him move forward.”
Building Resilience and Healing Trauma
CAT offers trauma survivors a safe space to process difficult emotions and foster resilience, aligning with psychosocial functioning criteria under the NDIS.
Evidence:
Frontiers in Psychology (2021) found significant improvements in emotional recovery and functional outcomes among trauma-affected participants.
Schnitzer et al. (2021) reported that art therapy builds resilience and supports trauma processing.
Real-Life Impact:
Patricia Stewart, a trauma survivor, described her experience with art therapy:
“Art therapy is a unique tool for addressing trauma and healing the traumatised soul.”
Why This Evidence Matters
The NDIA’s independent review prioritises therapies that deliver measurable functional outcomes, such as improved communication, mobility, and psychosocial functioning. To secure CAT’s future as an NDIS-funded support, this evidence must demonstrate its tangible impact on participants' lives. CAT’s impact on emotional regulation, creative expression, and resilience-building is transformative. They fill critical gaps for participants who cannot engage with traditional therapies, providing safe, inclusive spaces for healing and growth. Recognising and valuing these contributions is essential for an equitable NDIS framework. By advocating for a broader understanding of outcomes and sharing robust evidence and personal stories, we can demonstrate CAT’s essential role and ensure its continued inclusion in the NDIS.
Ongoing Advocacy
The advocacy efforts behind #artstherapyworks, combined with powerful public testimonials, have already played a pivotal role in shaping the NDIA’s decision to pause the reclassification of Creative Arts Therapy (CAT). Over 30,000 petition signatures and widespread media coverage have highlighted the transformative impact of CAT, and Minister Bill Shorten’s engagement with stakeholders demonstrates that collective action can influence policy decisions.
While this pause is an important milestone, it is not the end of the journey. The independent review, set to conclude in March 2025, will ultimately determine CAT’s future within the NDIS. Sustained advocacy will be critical during this period to ensure CAT’s recognition and funding are secured.
Momentum is on our side, but maintaining public support is vital. Sharing evidence, personal stories, and campaign messages keeps CAT’s value at the forefront of public and policymaker attention. Every post, petition signature, and conversation contributes to a stronger case for CAT as an essential therapeutic support.
Together, we’ve achieved incredible progress, but the fight isn’t over. By continuing to advocate, we can shape a future where CAT remains accessible to the participants who rely on it most.
Actionable Steps
Your voice and actions are more critical than ever. Here’s how you can support Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) and contribute to securing its future within the NDIS:
Advocate: Share Evidence with Your Networks: Help build awareness by sharing the evidence presented in this post. Highlight how CAT improves functional capacity in areas like emotional regulation, communication, and resilience—key criteria for the NDIA review. Whether through a social media post, an email to your community, or a conversation with a friend, sharing this evidence ensures more people understand why CAT must remain a funded therapeutic support.
Connect: Stay Informed and Access Advocacy Resources: Follow advocacy organisations like ANZACATA for updates on the independent review process. These groups provide valuable resources to guide your advocacy efforts and amplify your voice. By staying connected, you’ll gain tools to contribute effectively to the ongoing campaign.
Engage: Share Your Story: Personal experiences are powerful. Has CAT made a difference in your life or the life of someone you love? Share your story on social media using #artstherapyworks or submit it to advocacy groups like ANZACATA. Every testimonial highlights CAT’s transformative impact and adds a human element to the evidence presented in the review.
Every post, story, and action strengthens the campaign for CAT’s inclusion in the NDIS. By advocating, connecting, and engaging, you’re playing an essential role in shaping a future where CAT remains accessible to those who need it most.
The independent review presents a critical opportunity to secure Creative Arts Therapy’s (CAT) future within the NDIS, but its outcome will rely on robust evidence and sustained advocacy. By demonstrating CAT’s transformative impact on functional capacity—emotional regulation, communication, mobility, and resilience—we can help ensure it remains a vital, accessible support for those who rely on it most.
Advocacy has already achieved significant progress, but the fight isn’t over. The review’s findings in March 2025 will determine CAT’s recognition and funding. Now is the time to amplify our efforts. Share this post with your networks to spread the evidence, tell your story to illustrate CAT’s impact, and join the #artstherapyworks campaign to keep building momentum.
Together, our collective action can shape a future where CAT continues to transform lives and remains an integral part of the NDIS framework. Every voice matters—let’s ensure CAT’s recognition, funding, and accessibility for those who need it most.
The sources used in this article include:
Post from Dr Stephen Duckett’s X (formally Twitter) account, 3 Dec 2024
Email received from ANZACATA 13 December 2024
Email sent to ANZACATA members at 6pm on Monday 25 November
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