Advanced Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy: Healing Trauma and Grief through Nature

An Advanced Live Webinar Series

Advanced Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy: Healing Trauma and Grief through Nature is a five-session live webinar series and is a "sequel" to our Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy Level One Course. You can register for this advanced series without taking Level One-- this is a self-contained course with additional principles, concepts, frameworks, and practices in nature-based approaches across the lifespan.

Sessions on August 8, 15, 22, 29, and September 5th, at 12 pm- 3:00 pm Eastern Time (New York Time).

 This webinar series will focus specifically on how nature-based expressive approaches address trauma and loss in adults, children, adolescents, and communities-- because with traumatic events, grief is also present. In fact, climate grief via environmental changes and natural disasters is becoming a concern in psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, and other helping professions. 

This course provides numerous strategies for using nature as a pathway to increasing sensory and body awareness; resensitizing body and mind through expressive and somatosensory approaches grounded in nature; using nature as a resource; reconnecting our clients and patients to health and wellness through eco-counseling and psychotherapy approaches grounded in current research; and cultural humility and indigenous wisdom as foundations for ethical practice and theory. 

We explore how an expressive continuum of practices informs nature-based expressive arts therapy; applying a Circle of Capacity model; using personal autonomic maps; and integrating the richness of nature-oriented cultural and spiritual traditions that attune us to awe, compassion, and community to address trauma and grief. Join us to learn how to re-sensitize and enliven body and mind through image, sound, rhythm, movement, enactment, and narrative found through nature-based practices with children, adolescents, adults, groups, communities, and yourself.



Enjoy a Beautiful Journey through Nature

An Expressive Arts Therapy Adventure-- Click to Watch

Continuum of Nature-Based and Eco-Focused Expressive Arts Therapy

A Model for Nature-Based Practice in this Live Webinar Series

Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, © 2022 Expressive Arts Therapy Nature-Based Model

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will there be recordings that I can watch after the live webinar sessions?

    Yes-- we record the lecture portions of the events for replay and you can watch them for 45 days after the event. We do not post the experiential portions of the event where participants are sharing experiences to protect participants' confidentiality.

  • When are the Live Webinar Sessions held?

    August 8, 2024 from 12 noon-3:00 pm, August 15, 2024 from 12 noon-3:00 pm, August 22, 2024 from 12 noon-3:00 pm. August 29, 2024 from 12 noon-3:00 pm September 5, 2024 from 12 noon-3:00 pm All times are US Eastern Time/New York Time. All sessions are held on a Zoom platform.

  • Will I receive a Certificate of Completion?

    Once you complete all the required sections of the course site, you will automatically receive a Certificate of Completion for "Advanced Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy Live Webinar Series." Your continuing education hours will appear on the certificate.

  • I do not currently offer nature-based approaches--why should I take this course?

    Nature-Based approaches are increasingly becoming part of work with trauma survivors as well as other individuals with various challenges in psychotherapy, counseling, healthcare, and other settings. Gaining a deeper understanding of these approaches is important to all practitioners who work with individuals with traumatic stress or loss. Various approaches found in Polyvagal Theory, sensorimotor and bilateral stimulation methods, and expressive arts therapy are foundational to this form of treatment. For more information on continuing education and professional development, see section below.

  • Does this course count as part of the hours for the EXAT and EXA-CE designations?

    Yes, of course! This is great opportunity to add to your knowledge of how expressive work can be integrated with nature-based work and understand the principles that support this integration.

Polyvagal Theory and Expressive Arts Therapy

A Work in Progress by Dr. Cathy Malchiodi

Many practitioners resonate with the Polyvagal Theory (Porges). It's a way of framing autonomic nervous system responses. This framework is a work in progress! But it is part of our thinking when it comes to expressive arts therapy and sensory integration approaches to health and wellbeing.
A Polyvagal Model for Expressive Arts Therapy by Cathy Malchiodi PhD

Instructor(s)

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.

Instructor(s)

Institute Faculty

Cathy Malchiodi PhD

Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT is a research psychologist, a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, and a licensed mental health counselor. She is the executive director of the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute and is an investigator with the US Department of Education, integrating trauma-informed expressive arts into classrooms. She has also worked with the Department of Defense since 2008 to bring expressive arts therapy programming and psychotherapy to combat military and their families and Veterans with posttraumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Malchiodi studied with Francine Shapiro and is qualified in EMDR Level I and Level II. Cathy has assisted more than 500 agencies, organizations, and institutions in developing trauma-informed programming including the United Nations, Department of Defense, Kennedy Center, Harvard, MIT, and Johns Hopkins University. An international presenter and workshop leader, she given over 750 invited keynotes and workshops throughout the US, Canada, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. She has authored 21 books, including the bestselling Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy: Brain, Body, and Imagination in the Healing Process and Handbook of Expressive Arts Therapy. Her books have been translated in over 20 languages. A life-long learner, Dr. Malchiodi's latest research and practice includes sensory processing and neurodiversity affirming models of psychotherapy to address trauma through expressive approaches to intervention.

Register Now for Best Price!

This course can be applied to our Nature-Based Expressive Arts Practitioner Certificate.

See You Next Time...

Register for Related Courses and Trainings

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    $75.00Nature-Based Expressive Arts Practitioner Certificate Program

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An Introduction to Bilateral Work-- Movement, Rhythm, and Image Making!

We always include bilateral work in each course! Here is an introduction to the topic-- and you might want to try some bilateral painting with "nature brushes."

Continuing Education and Professional Development


Counselors/National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6557. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Art Therapy Credentials Board [ATCB]. The ATCB recognizes a variety of CEC activities, including those in the areas of professional and mental health counseling. These activities are clearly outlined in their recertification standards provided to all ATR-BCs in their recertification year and on their website. A minimum of six CECs must be earned in the area of ethics each cycle. If you are licensed as an art therapist in your state, please check with your state board to verify what types of CEC activities are acceptable for license renewal.

California Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers and Professional Counselors. As of July 1, 2015, the State of California /Board of Behavioral Sciences [BBS] amended its regulations for continuing education providers to include National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as a "board-recognized approval agency." If you are licensed as a marriage and family therapist, social worker, educational psychologist or professional clinical counselor in California, NBCC Approved Continuing Education Providers are recognized by the BBS to fulfill continuing education requirements. As of July 1, 2015, required CE hours can be accumulated through self-study and distance learning. 

International Expressive Arts Therapy Association [IEATA]. Many participants go on to apply for the REAT or REACE credential with IEATA and use our expressive arts therapy coursework to do so. Please check with IEATA to make sure you are meeting their current requirements for registration and let us know if you need additional information to help you qualify.

Psychotherapy and Counseling Fedration of Australia [PACFA]. Many of our Australian participants indicate that these hours are accepted by PACFA---Psychotherapy and Counseling Federation of Australia. Please check with PACFA to verify this and let us know if you require any additional information for this organization to qualify your professional development hours.

Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association [CCPA]. Many of our Canadian participants indicate that these hours are accepted by CCPA for certain professional development requirements. Please check with CCPA to verify this and let us know if you require any additional information for this organization to qualify your professional development hours.

CPD hours [Professional Development] are currently in the application stage. We also welcome teachers to this course; please contact us for additional information.

Credentialing boards in Canada, Europe, and Australia accept our courses for professional development. Please check with them to verify that this course applies to your goals for credentialing or renewal of registration, certification, or licensing.

Course Curriculum

Opens for Participation on July 15, 2024

  1. 1

    • ▶️ ZOOM LIVE Format: Notes and Tips!

    • Walkthrough this Live Webinar Site and Its Features

    • About Your Instructors

    • Syllabus, Goals and Objectives of this Course

    • Special Note About Materials and Expressive Arts Assignments!

    • Introduce Yourself Here!

    • Nature Images for Collage and Course Experientials

    • More Nature Images for Collage and Contemplation

    • Basic Foundations: Expressive Arts Therapy

    • For Fun: Nature Brushes and Paints with Children

    • Making Nature-Based Paints
  2. 2

    • ▶️ ZOOM Link and Supplies!

    • Downloadable and Printable Templates

    • Three Part Harmony of the Expressive Therapies Continuum

    • Resensitizing the Body Through Expressive Arts

    • Looking at the Expressive Arts Therapy Continuum with Nature in Mind

    • Trauma and the Circle of Capacity | Psychology Today

    • Film Presentation: Expressive Arts Therapy and Trauma: Movement, Sound, Image, Silence

    • Bottom Up or Top Down? An Expressive Arts Therapy Perspective

    • What is Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy?

    • What is Nature Therapy?

    • Nature and Mental Health

    • Connecting with Nature through the Five Senses

    • Positive Effects of Nature

    • Recovering with Nature

    • Health Benefits of Immersion in Nature

    • How Animals Perceive the World and How We Humans Impact Their Senses

    • A Dandelion Story...

    • Optional Circle Journal-- A Quick Tutorial

    • Circle Journal Video: Senses and Elements

    • Interoception: Sense of Self

    • Script: Senses and Elements Journal

    • Replay Session One Part One

    • Replay Session One Part Two

    • Please UPLOAD and POST to Discussion! Required!

    • Warson PPT | Aug. 8, 2024

    • Situating in Nature: Survey

    • Need Help Getting Through the Course? Please Watch!

    • Prompts from First Hour on Situating in Nature
  3. 3

    • ▶️ ZOOM Link and Supplies Session #2!

    • Downloads and Printables for Session Two

    • What is Rewilding?

    • "Rewilding" Attachment through Nature

    • Nature-Based Arts with Children

    • Eco-Capabilities with Children: A Short Film

    • Download Eco-Capabilities Film Here!

    • Eco-Spirituality: A Brief Definition

    • Spiritual Ecology

    • Eco-Spirituality | Thailand

    • Eco-Spirituality: A Call to Reconnect

    • Visit a Centre for Ecotherapy

    • Eco-Spirituality | Holistic Nursing Study

    • Eco-Feminism

    • A Social Action View of Eco-Feminism and Ecology

    • Eco-Recovery

    • Eco-Spirituality Scale

    • Dark Green Religion

    • Eco-Spirituality | African Mythology

    • The Wonder Brain and the Default Mode Network

    • Replay Session Two Part One

    • Replay Session Two Part Two

    • Please UPLOAD* and POST to Discussion! ---*Required

    • Lived Experience of Curiosity: Survey

    • Bonus Articles from Today's Lecture

    • Assessing Connection to Nature | Practitioner's Guide

    • Connection to Nature Index | Guide (child version)

    • "Bee Regulation"

    • Humming with the Bumble Bees Film

    • Warson PPT | Session 2 | Aug. 15, 2024
  4. 4

    • ▶️ Join ZOOM Link and Supplies!

    • Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Humility

    • Kaani Tribe | Climate Change & Eco-Spirituality

    • Visit this Website on Climate Change and Eco-Spirituality

    • Latin America | Indigenous Wisdom & Eco-Psychology

    • Ecological Attachment | Indigenous Perspective

    • Healing and Talking Circles

    • Art Therapy and American Indian Medicine

    • Healing Pathways Study

    • Creative Arts Therapy | Indigenous Perspective

    • Wild Therapeutic Garden

    • Empowering Native Youth | Maria's Story

    • Dibaajimowin (Stories) | Health Promotion through Digitalized Oral Stories

    • Replay Session Three Part One

    • Replay Session Three Part Two

    • Please UPLOAD* and POST to Discussion! ---*Required

    • Short Survey on Lived Experiences

    • Video | Art Therapy and American Indian Medicine

    • Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Humility | Cathy Malchiodi PhD

    • Sweet Grass Story

    • Warson PPT 3 | Aug. 22, 2024
  5. 5

    • ▶️ ZOOM Link and Supplies!

    • Feeling Stressed about the Environment? You’re Not Alone

    • From American Psychological Association: Is Climate Grief Something New?

    • Interventions with Children Post-Earthquake in China

    • Play Therapy and Natural Disaster

    • An Affirming Talk on Climate Change and Disaster

    • Climate Change | Children's Mental Health

    • Climate Crisis | Mental Health Impact

    • Indigenous Knowledge | Climate Change

    • Art-Based Research | Stress and Immunity

    • Connectedness to Nature | Ecological and Social Crises

    • Transformational Resilience

    • International Transformational Resilience Coalition

    • Birdsong Project and Yo-Yo Ma

    • References on Recent Research: Children and Nature

    • And Some Reading on Eco-Capabilities and Children

    • Children and Nature Network

    • Replay Session Four Part One

    • Replay Session Four Part Two

    • Please UPLOAD* and POST to Discussion! ---*Required

    • Warson PPT | Aug. 29, 2024

    • Just a Special Announcement: Free Summit "Anxiety Super Conference
  6. 6

    • ▶️ ZOOM Link and Supplies!

    • The Circle of Capacity | A Review of Applying a Strength-Based Model to Our Practices

    • Maintaining a Connection to Nature for Health and Wellness in Ourselves and Others

    • Trees and Contemplative Practices

    • The Spiritual Wisdom of Trees | A Pathway to Reconnect and Stay Connected to Nature

    • The Cicada: A Process of Re-Emergence from Darkness to Light

    • Rhythms and Sounds of Cicada!

    • Empirical Research | Forest Bathing

    • Response to Eco-Psychology and Climate Crisis

    • Recovering with Nature

    • Replay Session Five Part One

    • Replay Session Five Part Two

    • Please UPLOAD* and POST to Discussion! ---*Required

    • Glimmers and What Really Matters

    • Cathy's Tree of Nature-Based and Eco-Focused Practices Graphic

    • Prompts from Cathy Malchiodi PhD

    • Ideas for Tree Explorations
  7. 7

    • Mourning Nature

    • Children & Nature Network

    • Natural Earth Paint

    • Vital Signs

    • Rooted

    • How Trees Talk to Each Other

    • Nature Deficit Disorder
  8. 8

    • Final Steps to Your Certificate

    • Course Evaluation

    • Regarding the Use of Material in this Course

    • Final Questions