Course Description

In this webinar we explore what constitutes resilience during the pandemic and what research tells us about how expressive approaches may support both body and mind in the short term. The focus is on polyvagal-informed approaches found in expressive arts and research findings to support trauma-informed practices with clients/patients/individuals. These practices also apply to practitioners themselves-- they are concepts we apply to support resilience and body and mind during distressing events such as COVID.


Readings and Course Materials for Webinar

All readings are included with this webinar and are available on the course site in the form of full-length articles, short films, and/or links to websites. Participants will complete an evaluation in order to obtain a Certificate of Completion or Professional Development after the webinar. You can access everything on registration and will be able to access this site for 30 days after the webinar. More information will be added to this site as we get closer to the event, so please check back!

We are offering these webinars free of charge to those who are working on either the EXAT or EXA-CE designations-- please email us to safe a spot in the webinar!


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 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/.

Course curriculum

  1. 1
    • Welcome to the Webinar!

    • How to Use This Course Site

    • Continuing Education

    • How to Think About Mental Health as Overlapping and Interactive When It Comes to Well-Being

    • Expressive Arts and Self-Expression: The Forgotten Element of Well-Being and Mental Wellness

  2. 2
    • HERO Model of Wellness: Take an Inventory of Your Sense of Well-Being

    • A Resource on the HERO Model

  3. 3
    • Understanding Pandemic Quarantine through Polyvagal Theory

    • Resilience During the Pandemic: Key Findings

    • The Neurobiology of Positive Feelings

    • Are There Happiness Chemicals? A Graphic Model

    • Drawing on the Effort-Driven Reward System to Chase the Blues Away

    • What is Laughter Yoga?

    • Benefits of Hugging: An Infographic

  4. 4
    • Making Art Is Good For Your Health. Here's How To Start A Habit

    • Film Presentation: The Art and Science of Awe and How Culture Shapes It

    • Laughter Yoga | Please Laugh!

  5. 5
    • Replay of Session from August 11 2020

  6. 6
    • Final Steps to Your Certificate

    • Required Course Evaluation

    • Certificate of Completion Qualification

    • Download your certificate of Completion