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 Mark and Helen, 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 consulting, supervising and teaching. The course weaves together theoretical, experiential and skills development activities, to ensure your confidence in applying Expressive Therapies with adult clients.
Therapeutic Writing, Visual Art, Music, Symbol Work, Self-Discovery Worksheets, Mindfulness, Visualisation, Self-Compassion, Body Focus, Emotion-Focused & Integration Processes, Dreamwork, and Therapeutic Photography.
Practical Activities
Drawn from the range of Expressive Therapies activities developed in Australia by the course creators over the last thirty-five years.
Therapeutic application themes
Relationships, grief and loss, anger, self-judgement, and trauma recovery.
Theoretical foundations
Drawn from the pioneers in Creative Arts Therapies, Rogers' Person-centred Therapy, Greenberg's Emotion-Focussed Therapy, Lowen's Bioenergetics, and Somatic Psychotherapy, Focusing, and Grof's Transpersonal Psychotherapy.
Module One [Compulsory Foundation Module]
Introduction to Expressive Therapies and Symbol Work
Choose four modules from these topics:
Module Two
Art, Claywork, Photography and Music: Creative Expression in Therapy
Module Three
Therapeutic Writing: Words, Metaphors and Poems
Module Four
Emotion and Somatic-Focused Awareness through Expressive Therapies
Module Five
Enhancing Couple and Family Connections: Expressive Therapies as Awareness and Communication Catalysts
Module Six
The Inward Arc: Spirituality, Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
On completion of this course, participants will be able to:
While the focus of this course is professional development, it provides opportunities for participants to gain in self-awareness and personal growth. Experiences in the client role, provide a rich experience of the inner world that can enhance participants' professional relational effectiveness. Practitioners' own growth has a direct influence on clients' growth. Developing deeper self-awareness greatly improves the way we relate professionally, and care for ourselves personally.
This course is approved by the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia for professional development points.
FEBRUARY - DECEMBER 2026
Singapore
Trainer: Paula Huggins
15 days [92.5 hours]
5 x 3 Day Workshops over 10 months
Workshops must be completed in order
Contact Gentle Art Blog to register