ABT is practiced by a credentialed professional who has completed the ABT Certificate Course. Such a practitioner would follow the value base of the Subtle Energy Guide (SEG), use integrated ABT with clarity and specificity, will devotedly engage in daily practices of compassion and wisdom, and will have an enduring longing to be of use to people and the planet.

ABT is a unique training of both the View and the Method, giving a profound value base to healing professionals and skillsets intended to multiply choice for the diverse needs of groups of persons with disabilities across intersectional factors of gender, disability, culture, caste, sexuality, identity, age, etc.

• A yearlong "BT-ABT" Psychosocial wellbeing in Development, Using Arts-Based Therapy Certificate Course: is hosted by the Bapu group of Organisation every year, in Pune. The course is now open for the 5th year, BT-ABT batch of 2022-2023.


• A certificate course on Arts-Based Therapy [ABT] is offered by the Bapu group of Organisations, with a key focus on mental health and disabilities, within the overall frame of disability-inclusive development.

• Course trainers of the BT-ABT course are trained and certified as Arts-Based Therapy Educators by the World Centre For Creative Learning Foundation, Pune, India.


• ABT course is unique to bring art forms (drama, music, visual arts) 'together' in an integrated manner to address diverse psycho-social and disability support needs.


• The course is based in Indian Psychology and Ethics, Cognitive sciences, studies of Social Justice and Disability Inclusive Development.


• ABT course is only for the Asian region.


• The ABT course brings the additional strengths of Bapu Group’s 20 years of work in community mental health and its expertise on the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

• "The student is certified as an"ABT Practitioner"when s/he is able to:


• Demonstrate understanding and specific practice in the area of each of the arts in support of giving, and facilitating healing and recovery of persons with a spectrum of psychosocial needs.


• TDesign and implement ABT customized to individual and group needs within a range of "at-risk" groups in development practice.


• Expand consciousness through realizing the full capabilities of oneself, meaningful relationships, and purposeful/useful living as recovery support persons, healers, and/or as therapists.

Professionals, Para-professionals and volunteers:

• Working in the Human service sectors


• Working in Disability / Development Practice with experience or interest in providing psychosocial support.


• Working in health, mental health, social work, or other support-providing sectors.


• Experienced artists; working in a psychosocial support role or those trained in a particular art therapy form, seeking more integrated arts-based approaches.


• Experienced senior volunteers; with a lifetime commitment to dedicate themselves to the service of people and families with psychosocial / disability support needs.

• Highly interactive and participatory


• Seminars on ABT Theory


• Lab workshops for the practice of all ABT Skills (rhythm, voice, and drama, visual arts)


• Individual Assignments (Practice of Theory and Skills)


• Practical work on ABT through Action Research

• Application and processing fee: INR 500/- (compulsory and non-refundable, payable at the time of application)


• Course Fee: A subsidized cost of INR 45000/-inclusive of ABT kit, classroom resources, student resource materials, on-call supervision by guides, training fee, lunches, and refreshments during the workshop days and certification.


• “INR 8000 for training resource materials”


• There are no discounts or concessions on fees. The course is highly subsidized, with so many services and kits provided. What is not covered by the course fee?


• Accommodation, food during the workshop or contact days, supervisor's travel and stay, any additional costs incurred by the student in doing the assignments or the projects are not covered by the course fee.

Eligibility for the Applicant:

• Asian nationals from any of the regions (West Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and South East Asia) can apply.
• Masters level or higher education could be in any of the subjects, Medical / Psychology / Counseling/Development Practice / Humanities Graduation with a minimum of four years or more field experience, and working with people.
• The formal education criteria will be waived for applicants having field experience of consistently working with persons with disabilities for seven years or more.
• Applicants must have a clear understanding of lived experiences, risks, and restrictions in participation, of the group that he/she will be working with.
• Applicants must be working with an organization where s/he could directly apply what s/he learn under the supervision of team leaders and peers.
• Inclination or passion for the art forms. However, prior formal training in drama, music or other art forms is NOT mandatory.



Note: Undergraduate students or fresh graduates with no other experience need not apply.

Eligibility for the Organization:

• Registered Organizations working in Development or social services.
• Organizations working in disability, mental health sectors.
• Commitment to incorporate ABT in their organizational processes.