Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy: ​Strategies for Trauma-Focused Care (Pasadena, CA)

Expressive arts therapy is an approach to psychotherapy with roots in indigenous cultures and a rich history of evolution within modalities such as Jungian, person-centered, and Gestalt psychotherapies. Defined by its emphasis on the multi-modal process of healing (exploring many combinations for creativity rather than relying on just one art form), the strategies of expressive arts psychotherapy can prove useful to trauma therapists practicing in a variety of modalities. In this workshop, participants are oriented to the fundamentals of expressive arts therapy history and approach. Participan...Read morets are then instructed in how to facilitate an expressive arts process to teach the clinical concepts of grounding and managing emotional affect through widening the window of distress tolerance. Both grounding and widening the affective window of tolerance are vital practices in trauma-focused care. Participants will leave with an enhanced respect for how to foster client creativity in working with these concepts and their clinical intricacies. The role of creativity and the practice of making art are also discussed as mechanisms of action in processing traumatic experiences and promoting post-traumatic growth. A breakout segment for EMDR therapists allows EMDR therapists in attendance to discuss implementing expressive arts strategies in EMDR therapy Phases 2 and 7 with specific focus on how dual attention stimulus can be used to strengthen connection to expressive/creative resources. The great volume of writing and case material on using creativity to developmentally tailor the standard EMDR protocol for children is also reviewed and referenced in this discussion. Participants will brainstorm how to implement content from the overall workshop to EMDR therapy case conceptualization and treatment planning within the scope of the AIP model. Less...

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the origins of expressive arts therapy (e.g., indigenous traditions, historical threads in Jungian analysis, person-centered psychotherapy, and Gestalt psychotherapy)
  • Define expressive arts therapy and explain its nature as a multi-modal, multi-art process
  • Explain the concept of grounding and why teaching it to clients is relevant in trauma-focused care
  • Implement an expressive arts process to teach grounding in a clinical setting (individual or group), using at least three creative art forms
  • Explain the concept of distress tolerance and why teaching it to clients is relevant in trauma-focused care
  • Implement an expressive arts process to expand distress tolerance in a clinical setting (individual or group), using at least three creative art forms
  • Develop a treatment plan appropriate for the clinical setting in which the participant works, utilizing expressive arts approaches alongside the participant’s primary approach to psychotherapy
  • FOR EMDR THERAPISTS ONLY: Implement at least three art forms in the expressive arts tradition in Phase 2 for the purposes of grounding and widening affective window of tolerance, strengthening skills with dual attention stimulus as appropriate
  • FOR EMDR THERAPISTS ONLY: Strategize how to include expressive arts therapy approaches into individualized closure (Phase 7) plans for clients, explaining how the process can be vital for managing affect in between sessions and overall distress tolerance/containment
  • FOR EMDR THERAPISTS ONLY: Explain and implement how creativity and expressive arts approaches can be used to developmentally tailor the standard EMDR therapy protocol for children

Monday, November 18, 2019

Sheraton Pasadena
303 Cordova Street, Pasadena, CA, 91101

08:30 AM PST - 04:00 PM PST

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EARN 6 CE Credit Hours

About the speaker

CE Information - Earn 6 CE Credit Hours

CE Approvals

State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is an approved provider of continuing education by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for counselors, social workers, and marriage/family therapists. Approval: #RCS091306
American Psychological Association
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is an approved by American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Creative Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
EMDR International Association/Advanced Topics Course
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is an approved provider of continuing education in EMDR Therapy by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) Approval: #10002. The program "Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy" is approved for 6 EMDRIA credits (#10002-16).
National Board of Certified Counselors
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP no. 6998. The ACEP is solely responsible for this program, including the awarding of NBCC Credits.