Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Level One Certificate
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Level One can be completed through a three-day live course, online or through a combination of online and live courses; please see the Course Catalogue for more information on registration fees. Principles and interventions in these courses are easily applied to work with children, teens, adults and families.
Option #1: Online Learning for Level One includes 5 of following courses:
Required: Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy, an introduction to the basic concepts of trauma-informed work, trauma-informed expressive arts therapy, and how expressive arts, play therapy and related approaches support trauma recovery using neurodevelopment and mind-body best practices. Emphasis is on how creative interventions support the essential areas of trauma-informed care-- safety, empowerment, resilience, and self-efficacy. Provides 12 hours of continuing education.
Choose an additional 4 from the following list:
Resilience, Posttraumatic Growth and Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Practices (Part One)-- an introduction to four positive factors in trauma integration and recovery: resilience, empathy, gratitude and compassion. The emphasis in this course is on using arts therapies and creative interventions in resilience building, establishing and supporting healthy attachment, and developing empathy. Additional trauma-informed practices including mindfulness and mind-body approaches are introduced to demonstrate their integration with arts therapies principles. Provides 6 hours of continuing education.
Resilience, Posttraumatic Growth and Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Practices (Part Two) -- building on the concepts in Part One, this course introduces the importance of the practices of gratitude and compassion, including self-compassion, in trauma integration and recovery. The emphasis is on using arts therapies and creative interventions to help individuals of all ages explore positivity as a wellness factor and approach to mediating trauma reactions. Additional trauma-informed practices including mindfulness and mind-body approaches are introduced to demonstrate their integration with arts therapies principles. Provides 6 hours of continuing education.
Expressive Arts Therapy and Positive Psychology -- The course covers 1) basic principles of positive psychology; 2) the interface and relationship between positive psychology, art therapy and creativity; 3) neurobiology of positive psychology; 4) the concept of flow and its importance to positivity; 5) compassion, connection, courage and contribution as factors in positivity and wellness; and 6) art-based activities related to the theme of positive psychology. All readings and resources are available online; you will also engage in several hands-on activities, short feedback exercises, and complete a short final exam. Provides 6 hours of continuing education.
Ethics of Art and Play Therapy with Traumatized Children- an introduction to the ethical and legal issues of applying art therapy and play therapy to work with children who have experienced traumatic events, including interpersonal violence, witness to violence, hospitalization, divorce and custody disputes, and disasters. A trauma-informed approach to solving ethical dilemmas and forensic evaluations is included, with an emphasis on questions about retention of artwork, storage and confidentiality. Fulfills most requirements for 6 hours of ethics coursework and particularly helpful for those who are not credentialed as art or play therapists. Provides 6 hours of continuing education.
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy with Children and Families--This course is an overview of art therapy, play therapy and creative arts therapies [music therapy, drama therapy and bibliotherapy] in trauma-informed practice with children and families. Course takers will learn why these approaches are essential to trauma intervention with children and families through short response papers and hands-on experience. Creative interventions allow children and families to actively imagine, experiment with, reframe and rehearse desired changes through self-expression; in this course you will learn a wide variety ways to facilitate trauma-informed, creative interventions and learn more about the foundations of these approaches. Provides 6 hours of continuing education.
Body-Based Approaches and Expressive Arts Therapy-- Focusing on the physical practices of yoga, this course will bring to light the "how" and "why" utilizing a body-based method is important when addressing trauma. One will both learn and experience these concepts though a variety of articles, films, and research, all provided within this course. Yoga is presented as a body-based approach to building resilience and self-regulation with consideration for trauma-informed methods of counseling and expressive arts therapy. Provides 6 hours of continuing education.
Expressive Arts Therapy Approaches to Self-Regulation and Stress Reduction. This course designed to help you understand and learn more about how expressive arts therapy approaches and methods complement and enhance psychotherapy and counseling. This course emphasizes 1) what is self-regulation and why is it key to trauma-informed intervention 2) current knowledge about self-regulation and stress reduction in psychotherapy and counseling; 3) the neurobiology of self-regulation, including polyvagal theory, interoception, neuroception and social engagement as applied to expressive arts therapy and trauma-informed practice; and 4) a variety of expressive arts therapy strategies for application in psychotherapy and counseling.
Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy-- This course provides an overview and foundation for understanding the theory and practice of expressive arts therapy in mental health, counseling, psychosocial intervention and overall wellness. It also serves as part of the foundational learning for those accumulating credit hours toward Registered Expressive Arts Therapist credential with the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. Learners will complete a series of short written assignments, quizzes, and hands-on activities to learn more about expressive arts therapy, history of the field and the essential concepts involved in applying approaches to counseling, psychotherapy and arts-based facilitation with children, adolescents, and adults. This course is open to mental health and healthcare professions, expressive arts facilitators, and graduate students who want to learn more about expressive arts therapies and creative interventions. Provides 6 hours of continuing education.