Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy
Learn More About This Unique Approach, Take a Course for Professional Development, or Start Your Journey to Becoming an Expressive Arts Therapist or Practitioner
Join Our Global Institute and Bring the Restorative Power of Expressive Arts Therapy into Your Practice
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Expressive Arts Therapy is an integrative approach to health and well-being. It centralizes experiences with multiple art forms-- movement, sound, music, visual art, imagery, enactment, drama, storytelling, play, and creative writing-- to support capacity, sensory integration, somatic awareness, insight, and restoration. We believe in using arts-based and sensory approaches to support recovery as well as to enhance experiences of enlivenment, joy, playfulness, curiosity, compassion, mastery, and self-agency.
To get started, please visit our course catalogue at this link https://expressive-arts-therapy.thinkific.com/collections.
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy
Centralizing the Role of Creativity, Imagination, and Expression in Reparation, Recovery, and Restoration
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy is a specific approach by Dr. Cathy Malchiodi that integrates "brain-wise" and "body-based" awareness concepts to support trauma reparation and recovery. Expressive arts therapy [the integrative use of art, music/sound, dance/movement, enactment/improvisation, storytelling/narrative, play, and imagination] is an innovative form of restoration grounded in both traditional healing practices and contemporary, evidence-informed approaches. It combinesd current best practices in trauma-informed care with what is known about how the expressive arts and play assist in reparation and recovery.
Our Institute courses are based on current best practices and emphasize:
- Understanding neurodiversity and neurodivergence through arts and sensory based experiences;
- Building capacity as a complement to expanding a "window of tolerance," because all individuals deserve the experiences of joy, compassion, self-agency, playfulness, enlivenment, and curiosity;
- Applying creative expression to help individuals, families, and communities explore "what matters" rather than "what's wrong with you" or "what happened to you:"
- Awareness and lifelong learning based on the latest somatic, neuroscience, arts-based, and lived experience research that impacts the application of expressive arts in psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, education, and facilitation.
In order to learn concepts and approaches, please see our Certificate Programs and EXAT and EXA-CE designations that demonstrate competency in applying Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy in psychotherapy and counseling, education, and coaching on this website. Our world-class faculty and international Institute can provide the required courses and supervision for the Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) and REACE credentials. Reach out to us at the Contact page on the menu.
Faculty and Supervisors
Read More About the Institute Faculty Here
Institute Faculty Cathy Malchiodi, PhD
Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT holds a doctorate in psychology and is a licensed and board-certified art therapist and mental health counselor and has published numerous books, chapters, and articles in the field of art therapy including, Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy: Brain, Body, and Imagination in the Healing Process, Creative Interventions with Traumatized Children, Breaking the Silence: Working With Traumatized Children, and Understanding Children's Drawings, which are standards in the field. She has trained counselors, therapists, and teachers throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. In 2011, Cathy founded the Trauma-Informed Practices Institute to meet the need for professional education in the use of arts therapies, expressive therapies, mind-body approaches and resilience-building in trauma integration and recovery for children, adults and families. You can learn more about Dr. Malchiodi at her website https://www.cathymalchiodi.com/
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Institute Faculty | Supervisor Elizabeth Warson, PhD
Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC, EMDR III, EXAT, EAP II, is a trailblazing force in the integration of equine-assisted therapy and expressive arts. As the founder of American Indian Art Therapy, her work stems from extensive faculty research at George Washington University and Eastern Virginia Medical School. Currently based in northern Colorado, Elizabeth operates Healing Pathways LLC, where she combines EMDR with art and horses, drawing on her expertise as a certified EMDR practitioner and consultant, Registered Art Therapist-Board Certified, certified Eagala professional and an EquiLateral trained equine-assisted EMDR therapist.
As a faculty member at the Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, Elizabeth teaches both in-person and online courses focused on polyvagal-informed, equine-assisted, nature-based, bilateral stimulation, and sensorimotor-informed expressive arts therapy. Her research interests span stress and pain reduction interventions for Native American cancer survivors, culturally responsive practices, and trauma-informed methods. Her significant contributions include receiving a 2010 National Endowment for the Arts grant for her community-driven Coharie Heritage Empowerment Project, emphasizing cultural preservation.
Elizabeth’s academic journey includes a BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art, an MA in Art Therapy from Vermont College, and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from Colorado State University. She has presented extensively at regional and national conferences, focusing on medical art therapy and culturally-responsive interventions, and has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Recently, she co-authored E.Qi: Equine & Expressive Arts Inspired Qigong with collaborator Sifu Kurtis Tilley.
In addition to her therapeutic work, Elizabeth is a professional artist whose sculptural pieces have been exhibited both nationally and internationally, earning her an Ohio Arts Council fellowship award. Her multifaceted approach bridges art, counseling, and equine therapy, creating impactful experiences for individuals and communities alike.
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Institute Faculty | Supervisor Emily Johnson Welsh
Emily Johnson Welsh, EXAT, REAT, LPAT-S, ATR-BC, LPCC-S, RYT has over 16 years’ experience providing expressive arts therapy support and developing resources in trauma-informed approaches and integrative wellness. She is a graduate of Lesley University’s Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling program in 2008 and is a licensed and board-certified art therapist, licensed clinical counselor supervisor, registered expressive arts therapist and a Yoga Alliance Registered teacher. As faculty for the Trauma-informed Expressive Arts Therapy Institute for over 10 years, she brings a current knowledge of expressive arts and body-based approaches that focus on building resilience and community. She provides technology-assisted distance supervision for those working towards the EXAT, EXA-CE, REAT (Registered Expressive Art Therapist), ATR (Registered Art Therapist), and LPAT (Licensed Professional Art Therapist in Kentucky). Emily’s accomplishments in the field include presentations at conferences for the American Art Therapy Association, Buckeye Art Therapy Association, Kentucky Association for Play Therapy, and International Expressive Art Therapy Association; authoring and co-authoring chapters in the book Art Therapy and Healthcare (Guildford Press, 2013) ; co-designing and co-facilitating the online artmaking workshop “Art Therapy + Happiness Project;" being awarded "Cure Champion" by the American Cancer Society for my accomplishments in bringing expressive art therapy and yoga programming to families fighting cancer. Most recently, Emily enjoys balancing her expressive arts therapies private practice, Art Yoga Love, LLC, serving children, families, and adults, with yoga studio ownership and teaching! She is also enamored with being outside, animals of all sorts, the wonders of parenting, and hopes to never stop finding gratitude in these daily adventures.
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Institute Faculty | Supervisor AriAnna Carroll, LMHC, REAT, EXAT
Ari is a licensed mental health counselor, registered expressive arts therapist, and an EMDR certified provider. She is a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and is working towards completing all levels of training in the Oaklander Model of Gestalt Play Therapy. Since graduating from the Expressive Arts Therapy Program at the University of Louisville in 2004, she has supported groups and individuals of all ages in a variety of settings including schools, residential care settings, in-patient treatment centers, rehabilitation programs, and out-patient mental health therapy settings. Ari is currently in private practice, the first in Iowa to put expressive arts therapy at the heart of client care. She specializes in providing youth and family-based services, in addition to working with adults that have an interest in resourcing expressive arts.
Ari offers technology-assisted supervision for those working towards the EXAT, EXAT-CE, and REAT (registered expressive arts therapist), encouraging growth through supportive dialog, inquiry into theory and approaches, and active practice of expressive arts modalities. As a life-long percussionist, she has a special interest in integrating rhythm and sound oriented approaches into therapy. As parent to a neurodivergent child, she is invested in continued learning relating to neurodiversity affirming practices and advocacy. She enjoys exploring the relationship between expressive arts therapy, neuroscience, and sensory-oriented insights, and how this informs practice that encourages wholistic engagement, integration, and healing.
Her accomplishments include creating community-oriented therapeutic expressive arts programming for adults and youth, supporting those with interest in private practice development, certification in Rhythm 2 Recovery, a therapeutic method that integrates rhythm and reflection for social emotional health, and partnering with schools in support of neurodivergent children and families, serving as co-creator and facilitator in presentations and support groups for parents/caregivers of twice-exceptional youth within her community. Ari creates harmony between practice and play with her family, pursuing outdoor adventures and shared creative outlets, appreciating the journey ahead of the destination.
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Supervisor Sarah Newton-Penston
Sarah Newton-Penston, LPC (VA), LMHC (WA), ATR-BC, EXAT, CCTP-II, CIMHP, is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia, licensed mental health counselor in Washington state, and board-certified art therapist. Additional certifications include Expressive Arts Therapy, Clinical Trauma Professional-Level II, Integrative Mental Health Professional, Autism Clinical Specialist, and ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider. A graduate of the Art Therapy and Counseling program at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA in 2008, she has worked in a variety of settings with over 16 years of clinical experience in residential, community mental health, intensive in-home, dual diagnosis inpatient, therapeutic day treatment, military family life, and private practice. Her private practice, Rising HeArt Studios, opened in 2018. She has many resources for bridging the barriers of bringing the expressive arts into virtual sessions.
As a queer, neurodivergent therapist, Sarah’s population centers around the neurodivergent, LGBTQ-PIA+ community, those with alternative lifestyles or belief systems that often feel judged by mainstream health professionals, and complex trauma. Her most recent studies include gender affirming practices, certificates in somatic embodiment, equine-assisted expressive arts therapy, breath work, mindfulness, and energy medicine. Sarah practices from an IFS-informed approach and holds certificates in integrated somatic parts work, IFS: energy, neuroscience, and spirituality, and IFS: Spirituality without Bypassing. Sarah's approach to therapy integrates expressive arts with polyvagal theory, internal family systems, somatic, and nature-based approaches. She is currently working on her certification as a ketamine assisted psychotherapist.
Sarah self-published her first book, Elemental Healing: Guided Therapy Journal in 2022 and is actively working on her next publication, Breath of the Elements: Therapeutic Questing. She recently founded Elemental Expressive Arts in Ringgold, VA. She will offer integrative expressive arts therapy, intensives, and retreats on the family farm with hopes of offering equine-assisted expressive arts therapy in the future.
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Supervisor Mindy Cardenas, LPCC (NM), LPC (WI), ATR-BC, EXAT
Mindy Cardenas, LPCC (NM), LPC (WI), ATR-BC, EXAT has been an expressive arts therapist for over 20 years, and recently completed a 2 year meditation and mindfulness teacher training certification. She is currently creating classes, trainings, and community mediation space that integrates expressive arts & mindfulness practices in an on-line format. Mindy is a licensed clinical counselor, board-certified art therapist, a registered expressive arts therapist, and a certified mindfulness and meditation instructor. Since graduating from the art therapy program at Vermont College of Norwich University in 1999, she has worked as an art therapist in a variety of settings that have all added in some way to the clinical skills and application of expressive arts, including, Child Life Specialist, clinical staff at Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center, art therapist/group facilitator at RHOC (community mental health), art therapy faculty at Southwestern College, artist for the Arts in Medicine program at UNMH cancer center, and as a clinical supervisor for both art therapy and clinical counselor candidates. Mindy has been a presenter at Gilda’s Club Madison, at the American Art Therapy Association Conference, has provided professional trainings for the State of Wisconsin and agencies that support developmentally delayed adults, and has presented on art therapy and trauma at agencies in both Wisconsin and New Mexico. Mindy is interested the intersections of expressive arts therapy, neurobiology, trauma theory, mindfulness/meditation, community and connection as they relate to and impact therapy, healing, resilience, growth, relationship and presence. Most recently, Mindy has been working in private practice with individuals dealing with complex and compounded trauma, building a website, meditating, and developing/teaching expressive arts meditation classes. Since completing the mindfulness teacher training, she is convinced that compassion is a necessary component of any relationship, and works to hold herself and others with kindness.
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Guest Faculty
Institute Faculty Amber Elizabeth Gray PhD
Dr. Amber Elizabeth Lynn Gray is an award winning dance movement therapist, human rights psychotherapist, authorized Continuum teacher and lifelong movement artist and inquirer. She has worked for 25 years with survivors of human rights abuses, war, torture, long term oppression and historical, social and collective trauma. Equally artist, advocate, mystic, author, educator, and therapist, she, her clients and mentors co-created Survivor- & Spirit-centered, Polyvagal-informed approaches to somatic and dance/movement psychotherapy for trauma that are holistic and emergent. A lover of all things wild, Amber regularly facilitates eco-somatic-dance retreats for survivors and caregivers.
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Institute Faculty Linda McGuire
Linda McGuire MIACP, EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, Master of Arts, Dip Prof Couns, Dip Creative Sup, P. Grad Child Psych, P. Grad Dip Play Therapy, CBT and EMDR Child & Adolescent Specialist, Multi-Sensory Trauma Processing (MTP) certified trainer
Linda has worked extensively with couples, young people and their families coordinating clinical services in these dedicated areas for over twenty-five years. Additionally, Linda has spent many years working with short-term clients offering solution focused brief therapy as part of employee assistance programmes. She has led university level degree programmes in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, addiction counselling and art psychotherapy throughout Ireland and is an experienced lecturer and course developer.
Recognising the ever-growing need for researched based therapeutic approaches for complex client cases she travelled to the Beck Institute (USA) and completed several specialised trainings in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for her work with young people and adults. This was followed by her travelling to Pheonix, AZ where she completed an EMDR Child Specialist intensive 46-hour training with Ana Gomez. She is an accredited clinical supervisor for adult and child & adolescent psychotherapists and play therapists. Linda is a founding member of the Global Child EMDR Alliance, a service established in early 2020 in response to the Covid pandemic, she is the Chairperson of EMDR Leinster, Committee Member on the IACP Accreditation and CPD panels and IACP Course Assessor.
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Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Level One Online Training
Complete Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Level One Certificate Entirely Online
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.
Online Learning for Level One includes 5 of following courses:
Required: Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Foundations, 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, expressive 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.
Expressive Arts Therapy | Contemporary Approaches to Practice-- This course is part of the foundational learning in the Expressive Arts Therapies with a focus on major contemporary approaches to practice-- Appalachian Approach, Person-Centered Expressive Arts, Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy, Social Action and Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts. Learners will complete a series of short written assignments, quizzes, and hands-on activities to learn more about specific approaches and the essential concepts involved in applying approaches to counseling, psychotherapy and arts-based facilitation with children, adolescents, and adults.
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