Expressive arts therapy integrates the arts—movement, music/sound, drawing, storytelling, improvisation, dramatic enactment, play, and creative writing – within the practice of psychotherapy and counseling. It is a multi-modal approach to trauma treatment that goes beyond what language and traditional talk therapy can capture to access implicit, sensory-based experiences of trauma. Although expressive arts can tap actual implicit and explicit memories of trauma, recall through the arts also call forth and release pleasant and enlivening memories. This takes us beyond the “window of tolerance” to expanding a “circle of capacity” (Malchiodi, 2021). Ultimately, it is this reparative nature found in expressive arts that helps individuals “resensitize” their minds and bodies to positive sensations rather than learning to endure reactions. It also helps clients to begin to live in the present, rather than remaining stuck in the distressful sensations of past events. Expressive arts therapy is part of the current forefront of emerging methods that incorporate both neuroscience (brain-wise) research and somatosensory (body-wise and sensory-oriented) findings within the contemporary treatment of traumatic stress. Material presented in this course draws not only from the healing components of the arts themselves, but also from polyvagal theory, social engagement system, bilateral work and sensory integration, mindfulness practice and narrative approaches. Participants will learn a four-part expressive arts model, the Circle of Capacity Model and a bottom-up/top-down framework that explain how to develop, initiate, and apply arts-based, creative interventions when working with traumatized clients. The emphasis is on establishing internal safety, supporting self-regulatory and co-regulatory skills, and communicating the implicit and interoceptive experiences of trauma in the body through simple expressive arts experiences. Each session includes lecture, media, films, hands-on experientials, break out sessions, and group discussion. The goal of this course is to demonstrate why expressive arts should be a key part of clinical practice when it comes to trauma. Based on the book Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy, participants will learn numerous methods and approaches that can immediately be applied in their work with children, adults, families, groups, and communities experiencing traumatic stress. No previous arts experiences are required; just come prepared to engage your capacity for creativity, play, and imagination. Special Note: This course qualifies master’s and doctoral level participants for a certificate of completion in Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Level One from the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute. Continuing education hours can also be applied toward the Expressive Arts Therapist EXAT or Expressive Arts-Coach Educator EXA-CE designations.

Hosted by MAK Continuing Education, LLC, Cape Cod Institute online for 15 CEs. For more info, visit the event webpage.