Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy
Weekend Intensive for Mental Health Professionals & Group Facilitators
OUR CREATIVE JOURNEY
During this training you will:
Experience intermodal expressive arts practices through guided individual and group activities
Learn several adaptable creative interventions that can be integrated into clinical work
Explore foundational concepts, history, and principles of expressive arts therapy
Practice facilitating process-oriented creative experiences in a supportive environment
Discuss trauma-informed and ethically grounded use of expressive methods
Reflect on how expressive arts approaches may complement your current therapeutic orientation
Reconnect with your own creative process and embodied presence as a clinician
Expressive Arts Therapy is not as scary as it sounds! You do not need to identify as an artist to join. This training is based in the fundamental belief of process over product. The healing happens in the art.
“Art making is not about the end product but about the process of creating, which allows children to express what words cannot.” — Cathy Malchiodi
IS THIS TRAINING FOR ME?
This training is designed for psychologists, therapists, social workers, counselors, and other mental health professionals engaged in therapeutic or clinical work. If you feel this training would benefit your work but do not fall neatly into one of these categories, please reach out. We recognize that therapeutic and healing work can extend beyond traditional licensure or registration, and exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Folks who typically attend are licensed and pre-licensed clinicians, graduate students in mental health fields, other creative/expressive arts therapists, and professionals who use therapeutic or relational approaches in their work and want to integrate expressive arts methods into their practice.
15 Continuing Education Credits available for Psychologists, Utah LMFTs, LPCCs and LCSWs. Approved by the American Psychological Association.
Professional training credit: This training fulfills 15 hours (1 Unit) of educational requirements for the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) and the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA).
Naming our fears is the first step to loosening their grip. When we give words and colors to them, we begin to reclaim our power.
Expressive Arts Therapy is a multimodal therapeutic approach that integrates the creative arts with talk therapy to support healing and personal growth. By engaging the senses and exploring creative expression, individuals can process emotions, externalize challenges, and develop new perspectives. Grounded in trauma-informed practices and neurobiology, EXA helps individuals connect with their innate creativity and foster resilience.
Understanding Expressive Arts Therapy
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No, not at all! Expressive Arts Therapy is not about creating ‘a pretty picture’, rather it is about the process of creative expression. In fact, most people think “art therapy” which uses visual art. EXA is about the intermodal use of multiple art forms. In this training, we will explore many.
All you need is a willingness to explore. This space is designed to be gentle, inclusive, and supportive, kwhether you’re speaking, making art, or simply witnessing the experience of others.
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The term Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) was traditionally used to describe therapeutic practices focused on a single art form, such as art, music, or dance therapy. As philosophies and theoretical approaches in the field evolved, the term Expressive Arts Therapy (EXA) emerged to reflect a multimodal approach that integrates various art forms. CAT is still widely used across the field, and I use the terms interchangeably. While I am trained in “Expressive” Arts Therapy, I resonate with the word “Creative,” as it feels more approachable and less intimidating for many people.
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EXA integrates a wide range of creative disciplines and everyday art forms, recognizing that expression can take many shapes and mediums.
Visual Arts: Drawing, painting, or collage to explore emotions and foster mindfulness.
Movement and Dance: Using the body to express and release feelings.
Drama and Role-Play: Externalizing challenges to gain perspective and insight.
Music and Sound: Creating or listening to music to soothe, energize, or express emotions.
Creative Writing: Journaling, poetry, and storytelling to process experiences and discover new narratives.
Crafts and Everyday Arts: Engaging with textiles, clay, cooking, or handmade projects as creative rituals that connect body, mind, and culture.
Multimedia and Film: Incorporating photography, digital art, and video to explore narrative, memory, and identity in modern forms of expression.
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Neurobiology shows us the importance of “coming to our senses” when addressing trauma. As Cathy Malchiodi and Dan Siegel emphasize, the body holds the key to healing by engaging nonverbal, sensory-based forms of communication. Expressive arts therapy activates the senses to “tell the story” of trauma through implicit, nonverbal expression, allowing the brain and body to process and release emotions safely and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
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All art materials for the workshop will be provided.
We do ask that participants bring one extra-large mixed media journal to use throughout the weekend. This journal will become a space to capture reflections, images and creative explorations that emerge during the training.
During the workshop you will experience a range of expressive arts practices using multiple creative mediums. Having a dedicated journal allows you to document your process and begin building a personal creative practice.
After the training, participants are encouraged to begin assembling their own Expressive Arts (EXA) kit with a variety of simple art materials to support ongoing exploration and use in clinical work.
Expressive Arts Therapy is grounded in the principle of process over product. You do not need to identify as an artist to participate. Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore are far more important than artistic skill.
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Friday evening attendance is required. This opening session establishes the foundation for the experiential work we will be doing together.
Full attendance for the weekend is strongly encouraged. However, if you anticipate needing to miss a small portion of the Saturday or Sunday sessions, please reach out in advance so we can discuss possible accommodations.
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No part of the workshop will be recorded or live-streamed. In-person participation is required. This helps maintain confidentiality, group cohesion, and the integrity of the learning experience.
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Expressive Arts Therapy is highly adaptable and participants are always encouraged to honor their own bodies and personal limits. All activities can be modified and there is no expectation that anyone participate in a way that feels unsafe or uncomfortable.
If you have any physical limitations, accessibility needs, or requests that would help you participate more fully, please reach out in advance so we can support you.
Our goal is to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where everyone can engage in ways that feel accessible and meaningful.
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Yes! A $50 deposit holds your spot, and the remaining balance can be split into flexible, client-chosen payments. Full payment is due prior to the start of the workshop. I'm happy to work with you to create a plan that feels manageable and supportive.
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Participants pay a non-refundable deposit (e.g., $50) to reserve their spot. The remaining balance is refundable if cancellation is made 14 or more days before the workshop. No refunds are given after after that. No partial refunds are available for missed hours.
Have questions?
Here’s everything you might want to know: logistics, support, and how to decide if this EXA training group is right for you.
Teresa Trout, LMFT
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Teresa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy. Teresa has devoted her career to weaving together psychology and the arts as tools for healing, growth, and connection. Teresa holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and a B.A. in Visual Arts from UC San Diego.
Her work is rooted in the belief that creativity is a powerful force for transformation and that healing happens in connection. She seeks to co-create spaces where creativity becomes a bridge to self-discovery and resilience. Her work integrates intermodal practices to support both personal exploration and professional development. Alongside her clinical practice, she designs and leads trainings and workshops that nurture facilitators, therapists, and community leaders in bringing expressive arts into their work. Her practice is affirming, trauma-informed, and inclusive, with particular expertise in supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, those in BDSM/Kink and Non-Traditional Relationship communities, and people navigating diverse life experiences. When she is not working, she likes to spend time with family, play board games, be in nature, go on random adventures, and watch a good cult or crime documentary.