A.C.A.T.
Association of Centres
for Arts Therapies 
The Association of Centres for Arts Therapies (ACAT) has been set up from January 1997 under the auspices of BCAT. The main purpose of this development is to create a communication of information and ideas between groups involved with provision of an Arts Therapies Service.
In order to facilitate this exchange of information a database of relevant information will be established, in addition access will made available to our library resources. It will be possible to refer to our collection of articles, booklists and other reference material.
We invite your participation on a variety of levels, in terms of sharing your own ideas, resources and contacts in your particular area of Arts Therapies.
Our setting up of such an association has many aims and purposes. Most importantly a mutual exchange of information relating to the many varied aspects involved with the organisation, procedures, and issues involved with a centre for Arts Therapies. These include:
- Issues of setting up and organising Arts Therapies departments and centres concerning funding, location, staffing, organisational considerations, Marketing techniques and policies.
- Procedural Considerations involving referral methods and procedures, assessment methods, the frequency of and procedure involved with reviews, the frequency, duration, length and termination of sessions and statistical data involving client numbers, age and sessions.
- Provision of a diary of events, an exchange of information concerning times and locations of conferences, meetings, etc., to prevent clashes with such events in other areas.
As a centre we are particularly interested in the specific issue of which form of arts therapy, for which client, why, how this particular decision is made and how issues of this kind are approached. Initially there would be no charge for the services and information provided by ACAT, as we believe that the exchange of information at this stage would be mutually beneficial. Any response or interest will be greatly valued in the development of ACAT as a vital network of communication.
We look forward to receiving your comments, ideas and any relevant information.
