5 x 3-day in-person training modules and 3 x 2-hour online classes. Equivalent to 16 training days (106 hours), spread over six months.
This course is designed as specialised advanced training for counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, psychologists and those who support mental health and wellbeing. It introduces the theories, principles, methods and evidence base for applying Expressive Therapies in counselling with adult clients.
The Expressive Therapies approach was developed from Creative Arts Therapies by he trainers, weaving together creative arts, person-centred therapy, emotion-focused and somatic therapies, applied to client issues such as: relationships, grief and loss, anger, and self-judgement.
The approach is infused with transpersonal perspectives and trauma-informed sensitivity. The evidence-base is drawn from the research literature, and clinical observations from a combined 70 years of our work in consulting, supervising and teaching.
Modalities Introduced Through the Course: Therapeutic Writing; Use of Art, Music and Movement in Therapy; Symbol Work with miniatures; Self-Discovery Worksheets; Mindfulness; Visualisation; Self-Compassion; Body Focus; Emotion-focused Processes; Dream Symbols; Therapeutic Photography.
MODULE ONE: 3 days  20 – 22 February, 2025
Orientation to Expressive Therapies and Symbol Work
Introductory experiences with the creative arts modalities
FIRST ONLINE CLASS: 2 hours  Expressive Therapies: History, theory, and evidence base
MODULE TWO: 3 days  20 – 22 March, 2025
Art and Music in Therapy: Spontaneous and Guided Creativity
Engagement with visual arts, photography and music
SECOND ONLINE CLASS: 2 hours  What neuroscience tells us about emotion and body awareness
MODULE THREE: 3 days  15 – 17 May, 2025
Emotion and Somatic-Focused Awareness
Emotion-focused processes, enhancing body awareness, using rhythm and movement
MODULE FOUR: 3 days  26 – 28 June, 2025
Therapeutic Writing: Words, Metaphors and Poems
Therapeutic writing, creativity and poetic thought
THIRD ONLINE CLASS: 2 hours  Exploring the evidence base for mindfulness, self-compassion and self-care
MODULE FIVE: 3 days  18 – 20 September, 2025
The Inward Arc: Mindfulness, Self-Compassion and Spirituality
Transpersonal psychotherapy, dream symbols and meditative practices
