When you think of arts therapy, you don't often associate the practice with profit; however, ethical economic models are essential in allowing clients the most access to arts therapy services. Art therapists don't generally have formal training in economics, which can be challenging when developing their professional services. This book offers the fundamentals of micro and macro economics that apply to creating a sustainable and ethical business model that supports the development of the arts therapies profession worldwide.

Through economic theory and international case studies, the authors consider the business side of therapeutic arts service with recommendations for developing an ethical and sustainable practice. With key insights and informative examples, this book will serve as a guide for small business owners looking to develop their arts therapy practice.

A discussion of the economics and ethics of arts therapies practice and how to develop a sustainable business model in the therapeutic profession

About the Author
Daniel Thomas has been a music therapist since 2002 and started his first arts therapy business in 2005. Through the development of Chroma, established in 2013 as a national provider of arts therapy services, Daniel has garnered a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in running a large therapy business. Daniel has presented his ongoing research in Scandinavia, Australia and the UK. Vicky Abad is a Registered Music Therapist with extensive national and international management, clinical and research experience in paediatric and early intervention music therapy and music early learning. Vicky started her own business Boppin' Babies in 2007, and over the years has grown it in response to client needs while balancing this with market demand and family life. She has a keen understanding of the intricacies of running an arts therapy business in today's busy world. She has presented her research and lectured in music therapy, music early learning and business management internationally.

Reviews
This book provides new and much-needed perspectives on the value of creative arts therapies. It challenges assumptions that have led arts therapists to feel uncomfortable about the exchange of money for service. It does this by providing inspiring examples and business models that show why the time has come to significantly expand ways of providing services to the people whose health and wellbeing we care about. -- Professor Katrina McFerran, Head of Music Therapy at The University of Melbourne, Australia
For all arts therapies today it's a fact that funding comes and goes - seeking out new work demands new skills to stay afloat. Thomas and Abad in The Economics of Therapy take these challenges head on, providing support and guidance to assist therapists' quality of care giving, survival and prosperity. -- Stephen Sandford MBA, Strategic Lead & Professional Head of Arts Therapies, East London NHS Foundation Trust
I would recommend this book to training arts therapists and practicing arts therapists. However, the book's usefulness is not limited to arts therapists as it would be useful reading for other practitioners wishing to build a business. [...] I have found some useful advice and plenty of food for thought for my own business. -- Christine Northey, Journal of Holistic Healthcare



Book Information
ISBN 9781849056281
Author Daniel Thomas
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publisher Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Weight(grams) 360g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 150mm * 16mm