Course Description

Course Meeting Dates:

February 18th

February 25th

March 4th

[No Meeting on March 11th]

March 18th

March 25th

Course meets each date from 12 noon -- 3 pm Eastern Time/New York Time. There will be limited recordings of the lectures and slide presentations and posted to the course site. However, we do not post films of participants' discussions or experiential work to respect our learners' privacy.

Each session includes presentations on theory, practice, and research [generally the first hour]. The second hour is usually a hands-on expressive arts experience to help you understand the concepts and also to provide you will one or more practical approaches to using expressive methods. The final hour we encourage and facilitate discussion of what was experienced, have time for questions and answers, and summarize the session's key points and concepts.

This course site closes 30 days after Session Five. Please be aware that you will no longer have access to the site after that time. Please be sure to download and save all resource materials before this end date and complete course at 100% in order to receive and download certificate for CE/PD credit.

 

Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) is a widely used approach in many current strategies to address trauma. It is found in practices like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and various forms of tapping and sensory integration methods. Sensorimotor Expressive Arts Therapy (SEAT)  complements BLS and incorporates developmental, brain-wise, and body-based concepts from contemporary and innovative trauma treatments. In contrast to protocols like Sensorimotor Psychotherapy® (SP) that focuses on talking about body awareness, SEAT values implicit communication -- the nonverbal expressions that reflect the body's experience of threat as well as safety.

The applications of these methods support the "Four Functions" of expressive arts therapy--- self-regulation, co-regulation, exploration, and restoration when it comes to trauma resolution (Malchiodi, 2020). This course also includes an introduction to Equine-Assisted Expressive Arts Therapy as developed by Dr. Elizabeth Warson (2021) using expressive arts, bilateral stimulation and EMDR approaches, and sensorimotor expressive arts therapy. 

This course provides an introduction to the concepts of BLS and SEAT. It also provides strategies for combining and complementing methods found in EMDR, sensory integration, and tapping as part of overall trauma-informed intervention. This is not an EMDR course, but we will be making reference to the principles and theories as well as other methods that focus on bilateral movement and stimulation.

Continuing Education Information

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. 

Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute is an Approved Continuing Education Provider by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Our Texas Provider Number is 2318.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Readings and Resources Currently Being Updated!

We are always updating current courses, so expect to see many more additions to each session of this course as we get closer to the first live webinar. We also now add new additions from the literature to support evidence-based practice as required by continuing education and professional development for mental health and other practitioners. So check back soon to read more about the session topics as we continue to expand the curriculum with both current and practical resources to supplement your learning.

Course curriculum

    1. Registration Now Open

    2. Walkthrough this Live Webinar Site and Its Features

    3. Syllabus, Goals and Objectives of this Course

    4. ▶️ ZOOM LIVE format: notes and tips!

    5. Special Note About Materials and Expressive Arts Assignments

    6. What is Expressive Arts Therapy?

    7. Bilateral Stimulation vs. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

    1. ▶️ ZOOM link!!!

    2. Supplies for Session One

    3. Bilateral Work and Self-Regulation--An Introduction to a Key Concept

    4. Bottom Up or Top Down? An Expressive Arts Therapy Perspective

    5. Florence Cane: Art Therapy and Bilateral Movement...the 1950s!

    6. Florence Cane and "Body Liberating" Bilateral Work-- Early Foundations of BLS and Sensorimotor Expressive Arts Therapy

    7. Four Types of Music Used in Bilateral WorK

    8. Basic Bilateral Movements for Expressive Arts Therapy Sessions--Seated and Standing

    9. BLS and Tapping

    10. Crossing the Midline and Why It Is Important

    11. Unilateral and Bilateral Movement

    12. Gravitational Insecurity

    13. OT Toolbox of Bilateral Activities

    14. Evidence-Based Research--Vestibular System and Posttraumatic Stress

    15. Replay of First Hour of Session One

    16. After Session One...Share Just One Thing Here

    17. Please UPLOAD an image from Today's session!

    1. ▶️ ZOOM link!!!

    2. Handout for 2/25

    3. Just What Is Interoception?

    4. The Science of Interoception: Film Presentation

    5. Evidence-Based Examination of Self-Regulation and Trauma through Music and Rhythm

    6. Sensory Integration and Attachment

    7. A Review for Psychotherapists: From the EMDR Institute--A Basic Description and Explanation

    8. A Review for Psychotherapists: EMDR Theory and Brief History

    9. Bilateral Breathwork: Relaxation and Exhileration

    10. A Little More on EMDR and the Science Behind It

    11. Experiences with Bilateral Art

    12. Bilateral Art and Self Regulation

    13. Butterfly Bilateral Stimulation

    14. Bilateral Artmaking

    15. Replay of First Hour Lecture for Session Two

    16. Just for Fun: Five Universal Shapes in Movement and Image

    17. After Session Two...Share Just One Thing Here

    18. Please UPLOAD an image from Today's session!

    19. Original Healing Circle Protocol (without bilateral)

    1. ▶️ ZOOM link!!!

    2. Proprioception: Our Bodies In Space, Our Bodies Within Relationships

    3. What is Co-Regulation? A Definition and Review

    4. Expressive Arts Therapy Regulatory and Co-Regulatory Strategies: The Basics With Children and Youth

    5. Evidence: Qigong and Tai Chi for Mood Regulation-- and Co-Regulation

    6. Theraplay® and Bilateral Stimulation for Children and Caregivers | Co-Regulation through Bilateral Playful Approaches

    7. Equine-Facilitated and Somatic Therapies

    8. Co-Regulation Through Bilateral Movement, Sound, Synchrony, and Rhythm

    9. Drumming as Rhythm and Co-Regulation, Drumming as Knowledge

    10. The Evidence: Synchrony and Co-Regulation Through Novel Drumming Task

    11. Physiological and Behavioral Synchrony Predict Group Cohesion and Performance: Open Access Research Download

    12. Packing Tape Drum for Percussion and Bilateral Stimulation

    13. EMDR and Drumming

    14. Bilateral Music | Biolateral Sound

    15. EMDR Music | Soothing Harmonies

    16. Bilateral Stimulation Music

    17. The Evidence: Bilateral Auditory Stimulation and Fear Reduction

    18. The Salmon | A Regulating Drumming Rhythm

    19. For an Enlivened Rhythm | Jerusalema

    20. Replay of First Hour of Session Three

    21. Please UPLOAD an image from Today's session!

    22. After Session Three...Share Just One Thing Here

    1. *March 18th* ▶️ ZOOM link!!!

    2. Evidence-Based Research: Do We Experience Emotions Bilaterally? It's Complicated

    3. What is Sensorimotor Expressive Arts Therapy? An Integrative Approach to Trauma and Restoration of the Self via Psychology Today

    4. Exploration Equals Imagination

    5. Film Presentation: Foundations of Sensorimotor Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi

    6. Neuroscience of Sensorimotor Learning

    7. Mirror Neurons and Neuroception

    8. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Interview

    9. Sensorimotor EMDR

    10. Resilience Model

    11. Literature Review (body-based interventions)

    12. Replay of First Hour Session Four on Exploration

    13. Please UPLOAD an image from Today's session!

    14. After Session Four...Share Just One Thing Here

    15. 4 Elements (original copy)

    16. Adapted 4 Elements & 5 Senses

    17. Zoom Screenshots of Four Elements Participants

    1. ▶️ ZOOM link!!!

    2. Resensitizing the Body Through Expressive Arts

    3. Additional Readings and Resources To Be Announced

    4. Bilateral Stimulation and Positive Cognition

    5. Neural Mechanism of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

    6. EMDR and Resourcing

    7. After Session Five...Share Just One Thing Here

    8. Please UPLOAD an image from Today's session!

    9. Replay of First Hour of Session Five

    10. Experiential & "interview" process

About this course

  • $299.00
  • 102 lessons
  • 5 hours of video content