The Australian Therapeutic Harpists Association was formed in 2018 by a small group of Therapeutic Harp Practitioners who recognised that for the profession to progress, it needed to have a representative body which also accorded professional standards. An interim Working Committee and an Interim Standards committee was set up to move the organisation forward.
In Australia, Therapeutic Harp Practitioners can be found in a wide diverse range of areas - Hospitals, Aged Care Facilities, Hospice, Palliative Care, Disability Services & Wildlife Shelters.
On Saturday 30th March 2019, the inaugural Annual General Meeting was held at The Docklands Library, Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands, Melbourne.
Up until now -
* There has been no specific association or body that supported or promoted the work
of Therapeutic Harp Services or the development of Therapeutic Harp Practitioners in
Australia
* There were no defined Standards that represented competent practice for Therapeutic
Harp Practitioners in Australia
* An incorporated not for profit organisation gives the ATHA the opportunity to apply
for many community based arts grants in order to fund creative therapeutic harp
programs and research programs into the future