Somatically Engaged, Emotion Focused,
Creative Arts-based Counselling for Emotional Integration
Expressive Therapy is an invitation to self-discovery through integrative, activity-based methods that foster insights and internal change within the client. Embracing a client-centered and multi-modal approach, this approach to therapy acknowledges and values the personal interpretations and meanings attributed by the client.
In each of these immersive in-person workshops, participants delve into emotionally expressive techniques and inner-life skills grounded in creative arts with the aim of learning how to cultivate emotional integration, self-awareness, and resilience in their clients. The exercises included in each of the workshops are primarily designed for use with both individual children and groups from the age of 6-19, and provide creative formats for repairing the hurts of the past and for opening our younger clientele to the full potential of their inner world.
Each 3-day workshop is an installment of a five-part series constituting the Certificate in Expressive Therapy, presented by Expressive Therapies Australia (“ETA”). The comprehensive 15-Day certificate course introduces a range of activities and experiential exercises to assist the development of emotional literacy, using emotion-focused and resilience-building processes, Symbol Work (developed by Pearson & Wilson) for enhanced communication, developing somatic awareness through body focused movement, self-expression using art, music, therapeutic writing, visualisation, role-play, relaxation and mindfulness-based tools that can be effectively used to address a wide-range of presenting issues.
This approach stems from the work of Dr Mark Pearson and Dr Helen Wilson of ETA who have been pioneers in the field of expressive therapies. The Certificate workshops have been delivered for over 30 years in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. It is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic methods, and based on Mark and Helen’s ongoing research (as well as the work of others in this field) highlighting the substantial long-term benefits of Expressive Therapy, which include increased resilience, self-motivation, improved attention span, self-awareness and self-regulation among clients. Each Workshop in Certificate course draws material from books published by the course creators.
Facilitated by ETA Trainer Paula Huggins
Paula is based in Singapore and available for on-going support during the trainings and clinical supervision post-course.
When and Where?
Each 3-day workshop will usually be held in-person at
Gentle Art of Expressive Therapy’s office at
50b Smith Street (Chinatown).
Workshop One: 25-27 November 2024
Supporting Emotional Expression through Art, Music and Movement
- Theoretical background and Foundational Principles for Expressive Therapies
- Empowerment in client-centred practice
- Multiple Intelligences in counselling
- New ways to help clients talk about themselves
- Developing trust and encouraging interest in self-discovery
- Introduction to Therapeutic Writing
- Introduction to emotional processing methods
- Use of drawing for reflection, expressive release and integration
- Contraindications for emotionally activating activities
Workshop Two: 13-15 January 2025
Exploring Family Issues: Processing Strong Emotions
- Exploring family of origin issues using art and Symbol Work (miniatures)
- Emotion-focused processes
- Supporting the resolution of grief
- Safe anger release and integration
- Bioenergetics and somatic self-expression
- Therapeutic writing and structured worksheets for expression and integration
Workshop Three: 10-12 March 2025
Symbol Work, Group Work & Transforming Trauma
- Symbol Work: communication catalysts and non-threatening ways to open up
- Identifying family dynamics with miniatures
- Role-play with miniatures for a stronger sense of self
- Trauma-informed therapeutic practice and care
- Building Resilience – connecting with strengths
- Expressive Therapy in Group Work, group dynamics and bonding games
- Illustrated Case Stories
Workshop Four: 2-4 June 2025
Balancing Emotional, Cognitive and Somatic Processes
- Reviewing Foundation Principles of Expressive Therapies
- Emotion-focused processes: resolving reactivity
- Body Focus: enhancing somatic resolution
- Music to build emotional literacy and as a therapeutic tool
- Time-line life reviews
- Research and background literature
Workshop Five: 23-25 June 2025
Inner-Life Skills for Self-Awareness and Self-Esteem
- Approaches for teaching relaxation and mindfulness
- New possibilities for self-awareness through visualisation and imagination
- Engaging parents and carers in the therapeutic process
- Somatic self-expression through bioenergetics
- Enhancing emotional stability
What people are saying about the Expressive Therapies Certificate Course
“It’s been a transformative 15 days with Paula and Mark. I really appreciate the thoughtful guidance and effective pedagogy that you have brought and shared with us. Thank you for creating a safe space for us to learn and hone our craft. It is THE BEST!”
Wynne Yang, Counsellor (2023 Singapore Graduate)
“I found it enriching and it affirms what I already believe: that the integrative approach at the core of expressive therapies is integral to healing as it addresses the whole person (heart, body and mind) and works towards wholeness and well-being for our clients” Christine, School Counsellor (2023 graduate)
“This was my first experience with expressive therapies and now I can’t imagine myself working without using what I’ve learned in these workshops! The course was well-structured and the facilitators were absolutely brilliant, warm and engaging. Mark and Paula helped us to learn expressive therapies in a friendly and professional way.” Mara, Counsellor (2023 Singapore Graduate)
“I loved the course. It was well-paced. The trainers were well-knowledged, passionate, warm with a good dynamic between them. The manuals were clear and helpful. The experiential activities were very creative and have been easy to implement with clients. It has been so useful to expand my work with clients using expressive therapies approach.” Priya, Counsellor (2023 Singapore Graduate)
“The course was informative, experiential, and delivered with amazing gentleness by knowledgeable trainers who drew from their own considerable experience to provide examples that enhanced the learning. The course activities were fun, engaging and safe. I feel ready to use my learning with clients”. Yoke Wah – Counsellor (2023 Singapore Graduate)
“And just like that – over 100 hours of learning done! What an incredible experience with wonderful peers and phenomenal trainers! Thank you Paula Huggins and Mark Pearson! I’m so excited to integrate these new learnings and experiences into my work.” Kristi, School Counsellor (2023 Singapore Graduate)
“I have really grown both as a person and practitioner through attending this course. The experience I carry with me is a reminder that Expressive Therapy is a way of being and not just doing activities with our clients. Mark and Paula create a wonderful holding space to allow us to learn, reflect and grow to become more attuned to our clients and ourselves as therapists.” Deborah, Senior Counsellor (2023 Singapore Graduate)
“I truly felt empowered, inspired and at home with this entire course. It is the best training I’ve ever attended. The trainers were so nurturing, so accepting, so warm, well-prepared, well-delivered, well-structured, and well-coordinated. Thank you!” Counselor (name not shared) (2023 Singapore Graduate)
Requirements for Participation and award of ETA’s Certificate in Expressive Therapies with Children, and Adolescents
To be awarded ETA’s Certificate in Expressive Therapies participants will be expected to:
- submit TWO written assignments: a 1500 word literature review plus a reflective practice essay.
- attend all 15 training days (max. absence 10 hours)
- hold a qualification that allows them to practice in a therapeutic role (counsellor, psychologist, social worker, art therapist, play therapist, psychotherapist, teacher or other allied health professionals) and be in good standing with their relevant professional body (if they are working with clients).
On completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a client-focused approach to using Expressive Therapies
- Describe basic theory of emotion-focused processes and understand the principles of emotional resolution in counselling
- Utilise a range of appropriate expressive counselling techniques to stabilize, strengthen, resolve and integrate as needed.
- Assess the suitability of Expressive Therapy’s strategies for individuals or groups using a Multiple Intelligences lens
- Understand and demonstrate how to plan an Expressive Therapy counselling session(s) with groups and/or individuals using ETA’s 5 Stage Model.
Registration Options
To be awarded ETA’s Certificate in Expressive Therapies participants MUST attend all five workshops and complete the required assignments. However, participants are welcome to choose their pathway from any of the following:
- Register for Workshop One or Two as a stand-alone option(s). Once complete either you are eligible to join any of Workshops Three, Four or Five in order you prefer; or
- Register for all five workshops as a complete 15-day course.
Your Investment
ETA’s 15 Day Certificate (all 5 Workshops)
Early Bird* SG$5825
Full Price SG$6125
*Early Bird pricing expires one month before the first workshop you are planning to attend.
Individual Workshops
Early Bird* SG$1265
Full Price SG$1365
*Early Bird pricing expires one month before the first workshop you are planning to attend.
Four Workshops (must include either Workshop 1 or 2)
Early Bird* SG$4860
Full Price SG$5100
*Early Bird pricing expires one month before the first workshop you are planning to attend.
Three Workshops (must include either Workshop 1 or 2)
Early Bird* SG$3645
Full Price SG$3945
*Early Bird pricing expires one month before the first workshop you are planning to attend.
Two Workshops (must include either Workshop 1 or 2)
Early Bird* SG$2480
Full Price SG$2680
*Early Bird pricing expires one month before the first workshop you are planning to attend.
Payment can be made in installments – please ask for more details when registering.
Designed with WordPress.com
