Certificate Training Program in Intermodal Expressive Arts

Overview

Expressive Arts Florida Institute has offered training in the field of intermodal expressive arts since 2011. We provide a two-level Certificate Training program as well as professional development and continuing education for those interested in pursuing the Expressive Arts as a professional path, whether integrating it into an existing career, or beginning a career in the expressive arts field.

Our training program is designed to meet the required training requirement for those interested in pursuing registration through IEATA® (International Expressive Arts Therapy Association) as either a REACE® (facilitator/educator/consultant) or REAT® (clinician/therapist). Please refer to the registration standards and guidelines at ieata.org for more information regarding additional requirements.

Certificate Training Program

What Sets Us Apart

Why choose us?

Our Intermodal Expressive Arts Certificate Training Program is unique in many ways and is specifically designed to accommodate distance learning students (both domestic and international) and busy schedules. Here are some special features of our expressive arts certificate program:

  • IEATA compliant: Our certificate training program is IEATA (International Expressive Arts Therapy) compliant and provides you with the 200 training hours necessary to pursue professional registration so you can advance your career and provide safe and beneficial experiences and treatments for others.
  • Hybrid Model: Some of our courses are offered via Zoom and some are offered in person which allow you the benefit of doing the majority of your studies from home. Please see “EAFI Course Schedule” below to see which classes are offered online and which classes are offered in person.
  • Expert Faculty: All of our faculty are either REAT® or REACE® certified and are experts in the field of expressive arts. We provide in depth and up to date training so you can feel good knowing you are receiving the most relevant and reliable information.
  • Experiential learning: Our program is experiential in nature, meaning that many of our courses contain hands on learning through discovery, exploration and reflection. This provides you with personal exploration and a thorough preparation for professional practice.
  • 2 Levels: Our training program has 2 levels. You can take 1 or both levels and can take them separately or at the same time allowing you the flexibility to go at your own pace. To learn more about our levels, see the “Program Requirements” tab below.
  • Flexible: Our training program is flexible, meaning you can go at your own pace. You can take one class or many classes at the same time. It is up to you.
  • Monthly 1+1 mentorship: Our mentors are graduates of the training program and experts in the field of expressive arts and provide individualized guidance for you during your studies. You are assigned a mentor depending upon your program track: Therapists/Clinicians on REAT® (Registered Expressive Arts Therapist) or facilitators/consultants on REACE® (Registered Expressive Arts Consultant Educator).
  • Small student: faculty ratio: We have a very small student-faculty ratio so you have personalized attention from instructors.
  • Small class sizes: We offer small class sizes so you have more opportunities to work together, exchange ideas, support one another and build a community.
  • Collaborative teaching style: We co-create and co-facilitate all certificate courses so you get an enhanced learning experience and a diverse perspective on teaching methods, experiences and viewpoints.
  • Rolling admissions: We accept applications at any point throughout the year so you can take your time applying and deciding if this program is the right fit for you.
  • At Home Internships: Your internship can be completed in your own community with full support and feedback from your faculty and peers in an online forum.

Program Requirements

LEVEL 1

Level 1 is an experiential and didactic learning program, which provides a solid foundation of expressive arts practice. Students become familiar with the Expressive Arts field, and immerse themselves in this work, resulting in the development of a personal practice.

The material covered during Level 1 will include an overview of the field, with applications for individual, group, family, and community wellness and healing, and a series of expressive arts processes that focus on the whole person, including body, mind, and spirit.

Learning during the courses is primarily experiential in nature, and students entering Level 1 should be prepared to do some significant personal work as part of their understanding and knowledge of this field.

Depending on each student’s previous educational and professional background, and their professional goals, they may be ready to begin implementing this work with others, as a facilitator.

Pre-requisite: Creative Wisdom: Introductory Online Training in Expressive Arts

Level 1 Core Courses:

  • EAFI 110: Intermodal Expressive Arts (Dive In)
  • EAFI 120: Body, Mind, Spirit of Expressive Arts
  • EAFI 130: Scope of Expressive Arts

Electives: 10 hours by completing Creative Wisdom and an additional 10 hours of workshops outside of the weekend coursework. These workshops/classes can be taken in the student’s own community or with EAFI.

Mentoring: Monthly mentoring of 1 hour with mentor and quarterly group mentoring with faculty and mentors via Zoom.

LEVEL 2  

This experiential and didactic learning program, further prepares students to facilitate expressive arts with others and create their own professional practice. The material covered during Level 2 focuses on developing facilitation skills, learning the various theoretical approaches and real-world applications, defining the scope and focus of each student’s own expressive arts work, and learning the business strategies, ethics, professional registrations, and resources that assist the student in building a successful expressive arts practice or integrating Expressive Arts into an existing career.

Level Two consists of 3 intensive courses (25 hours each), 20 elective credit hours, and an Internship or Supervised Clinical Practicum. Students will have assignments to complete for each of the courses. The internship, in most cases, will be completed in the student’s home community.

Level 2 Core Courses:

  • EAFI 210: Foundation of Expressive Arts
  • EAFI 220: Expressive Arts in the World
  • EAFI 230: Business and Profession of Expressive Arts
  • EAFI 240 Internship/Final Project OR EAFI 250 Clinical Supervised Practicum (for therapists only)

Electives: 20 hours of workshops outside of the weekend coursework.

Mentoring: Monthly mentoring of 1 hour with mentor and quarterly group mentoring with faculty and mentors via Zoom.

Additional requirements:

Assignments and Readings: Each course will have an assignment, with both a written and an arts component. Levels One and Levels Two each have a required reading list.

Documentation

All Expressive Arts Florida Institute students will be expected to document their personal and professional processes, both for Level One and Level Two. Specific guidelines for this documentation will be provided in the student handbook.

Documentation will consist of keeping a journal of all processes that are introduced, and personal and professional reactions to these processes. Photos of artwork and related images will be included, as well as handouts, material from elective courses.

Students may apply for Level One or Levels One and Two combined. If accepted into both Levels One and Two, students can begin taking Level Two courses after completing two Level One intensives.

 

EAFI Course Schedule
  • New students are required to complete Welcome Lesson and Lesson 1 of Creative Wisdom: Introductory Online Training in Expressive Arts course prior to first date of attendance. Enrollment is available at any time.
  • Following the COVID-19 pandemic when all courses were delivered online, we are returning to an in-person format for some courses to align with IEATA guidelines for registration for REAT® and REACE®.

Possible start dates for new students in 2023:

  • January 17
  • March 28
  • October 17

Core Courses Calendar for 2023 by month:

EAFI 110: Dive In to Intermodal Expressive Arts (Online)

    • March 2024 (online)

EAFI 120: Expressive Arts Body, Mind, Spirit (Online)

    • January 2024 (online)

EAFI 130: Scope of Expressive Arts – Individual, Group, Community (in-person)

    • October 17-20, 2023 (in-person)***
      • Tuesday, October 17: 2pm – 6pm
      • Wednesday, October 18: 9am – 6pm
      • Thursday, October 19: 9 am – 7 pm
      • Friday, October 20: 9 am – 3 pm
    • October 24 – 27, 2023 (in-person)***
      • Tuesday, October 24:  2 pm-6 pm
      • Wednesday, October 25:  9 am-6 pm
      • Thursday, October 26:  9 am – 6 pm
      • Friday, October 27:  9 am – 3 pm

EAFI 220: Expressive Arts in the World (Online)

    • August 7-October 14, 2023 (online)
      • This course is structured differently than any of our other courses. Students are required to attend the following to earn credit for the course:
      • 1. Opening Session August 7th from 2-5 pm edt with faculty
      • 2. Six of the Expressive Arts in the World workshops of your choice and half hour after the presentation to discuss and process content. (see schedule of presenters here)
      • 3. Attend 2 of 3 Integration/Processing sessions with faculty scheduled on:
        • August 17, 2-4 pm edt
        • August 31, 7-9 pm edt
        • September 28, 2-4 pm edt 
      • 4. Closing session on October 14th from 12-5pm edt with faculty

EAFI 230: Business and Profession of Expressive Arts (Online)

    • May 2024 Tuesdays 6-9 pm ed
Admission Requirements + Application

Expressive Arts Florida Institute welcomes both those who are already familiar with expressive arts and those whose backgrounds are in other disciplines to apply for admission. The following policy applies to all applicants, except where otherwise noted.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent*

Previous experience or practice in the arts, humanities, human growth and development or related field. If you do not meet these standards, you may be eligible for admission but assigned additional coursework or reading in preparation.

 *Those without a bachelor’s degree who wish to apply must submit an essay of no less than 500 words addressing the ways in which their life and work experience prepares them for this training.

WHEN TO APPLY

We admit students on a rolling basis so you may apply at any time. However, space in classes is limited so early application is recommended.

 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, you will need the following documents:

  1. A 3-4 page (double spaced) Autobiographical Essay describing personal and professional goals as well as your experience with Expressive Arts and creativity. (See online application)
  2. Current Resume. Included should be your educational background (colleges and universities attended, A minimum of a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent is required), work experience, and any special skills that may enhance your application credentials.
  3. 2 Letters of Recommendation – one may be from an instructor, professor, or academic advisor and the other may be from a supervisor or colleague. Recommendations must include a signed letter on letterhead from the recommending parties and be submitted via this link: https://wkf.ms/3BFQfim *Recommendations may not be from family or friends.
  4. Official academic transcripts from all institutions attended. Transcripts in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Transcripts must arrive in their official sealed envelopes directly from the educational institution.

*All documents must be in English.

*Incomplete applications will not be processed (rare exceptions may be made depending on which element of the application is missing).

*A non-refundable $200.00 application fee is due upon submission (paid online with application).

Please follow the link here and fill out the “Intent to Apply” form indicating your intent to submit an application.

Once you have completed and submitted the “Intent to Apply” form, someone from our admissions office will contact you. From there you will fill out an Application for Admission and submit your resume & essay. Your transcripts and letters of recommendation will be submitted separately through a different form. Once the application is complete, an admissions interview with Expressive Arts Florida Institute faculty will be scheduled. (This can be done via Zoom once the application is received and reviewed). 

For questions, email us at admin@expressiveartsflorida.com. 

Tuition Rates & Payment Schedule

Tuition Rates & Payment Schedule

LEVEL ONE Core Courses:

EAFI 100 (Creative Wisdom Self-Study course) $325.00

EAFI 110 $1100.00 

EAFI 120 $1100.00

EAFI 130 $1100.00 

LEVEL TWO Core Courses:

EAFI 210 $1100.00 

EAFI 220 $1100.00 

EAFI 230 $1100.00 

Due to COVID-19, core courses are being offered live online. Each student will receive some specialized supplies in the mail and will be provided with a list of additional supplies to have ready. 
 

Mentoring 

$75/month paid monthly

EAFI 240 (Internship/Final Project) $1150.00

This course includes:

*6 week online forum with individualized feedback and support

*2 group Conference calls.

*EAFI 250 (Supervised Clinical Practicum) $1500

This is offered to students who are practicing mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, or professional counselors. It may be taken by these students either as an alternative to EAFI 240, or, if desired, in addition for EAFI 240.

EAFI Final Certificate Completion Review $250.00  

Our Application Fee: $200.00

TUITION PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Full Payment Option: 1

With this option, full program tuition for all core courses is required to be ”paid in full” 60 days prior to the first course, or when the student registers for their first course if it is within the 60-day period.

Students choosing this option are eligible to receive a 10% discount* on all required core courses.

*10% only applies to core courses. It does not include Creative Wisdom,  Mentoring, Final Certificate Review, or any fees that may arise for classes taken as elective credit or late fees of any kind.

Pay as you Go Option: 2

Registration using the “Pay as you Go Option” is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the flexibility of enrollment in our courses, a student’s registration is fully secured only by paying tuition in full for the course. Since some courses reach maximum capacity, and could be wait-listed, early payment is advised.

*Tuition paid after registration date will incur a late fee of $50.00.

Consult Admissions Office for additional information on possible financial hardship payment plans.

Additional Fees

• Elective Tuition: Total cost for Electives will vary depending on each student’s elective choices, course content, length, and location.

• *Final Certificate Review fee: $250.00

EAFI acknowledges that hardship situations do occasionally occur. Please contact the Financial Liaison to discuss your situation prior to Tuition due dates. We will do everything we can to assist you in your continuation of the program but cannot guarantee a resolution.

Payment plan options will be discussed upon request. Please contact the Admissions Office.

Tuition rates & payment schedule subject to change.

Guiding Principles

  • We believe in the positive power of creativity in every person.
  • We believe that creative practice serves health and wellness.
  • We believe in the holistic nature of Expressive Arts, as it engages the whole person – body/mind/spirit.
  • We embrace the practice of an Intermodal or Integrative Arts approach.
  • We believe that the creative process and art-making itself is healing and transformational.
  • Our approach to interpersonal Expressive Arts work is that of “bearing witness”, so that the person, group, or community may see him/her/itself more clearly and discover new possibilities for healing.
  • Our focus is on the health-giving nature of Expressive Arts.
  • We believe that Expressive Arts can be practiced ethically and effectively in a wide variety of settings by a wide variety of trained practitioners.
  • We believe in, and practice, an experiential learning approach, supplemented by readings, presentations, and written and arts-based assignments.
  • We believe that it is essential for the practitioner of Expressive Arts to be engaged in their own personal Expressive Arts practice.
  • We believe in collaborative and community art making as a path to building relationships, community wellness, and social change and planetary healing.
  • Our work is grounded in the cycles and lessons of the natural world.
  • Our goal is to practice our work within an environmentally sound model that fosters sustainability.

Continuing Education And Professional Development

With a vast web of connections to other expressive arts professionals around the world and a growing list of exceptional graduates, we are honored to provide professional development training and workshops to those seeking to further their own education and practice in expressive arts. We offer continuing education for many of our workshops and training to LMHC, LMFT, LCSW in the state of Florida. If you are seeking CEU’s and live outside of Florida, we will issue a certificate of completion that can be filed for CEU’s in your home state.

What others say...

Pat B. Allen, PhD., ATR Co-Founder, Open Studio Project; Author: Art is a Way of Knowing, Art is a Spiritual Path, Cronation
"Kathleen, Victoria and Tamara of Expressive Arts Florida Institute are inspiring teachers and worthy guides dedicated to sharing the riches and magic of the expressive arts with others. They are gracious hosts, wonderful models of joyful creative engagement and sparkling artists, and they inspire deep engagement balanced with a whole lot of fun! "
Markus Scott-Alexander, PhD, REAT, Director, World Arts Organization
“I enjoy my association with the Expressive Arts Florida Institute. They have a great balance of professionalism and warmth. I’ve known their work for years and find them to be consistently creative, clear and knowledgeable." Author: Expressive Arts Education and Therapy: Discoveries in a Dance Theatre Lab Through Creative Process-based Research
Mitchell Kossak PhD, LMHC, REAT Professor, Counseling and Expressive Therapies, Lesley University: Author: Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy
"Expressive Arts Florida Institute is amazing - really top notch faculty and well thought out comprehensive programming. The core faculty have many years of training themselves, and this comes through in their meticulous attention to all aspects of training others including theory and application. I have taught in many places around the world and I always look forward to returning to the Expressive Arts Florida Institute."
Click Here
H. Fay Wilkinson, REACE fay@thecreativecocoon.com
"It has been an absolute pleasure working with Expressive Arts Florida over many years now! They are a dedicated team of innovative, accomplished and caring souls. I have always so appreciated their acknowledgement of expressive arts in rural areas and given me a chance both to learn and to share my experiences. May they continue to flourish for many years to come!"
thecreativecocoon.com
Previous slide
Next slide

Check Out Our Classes

Events