“Making the choice to cross the continent from B.C. to Florida
to attend Expressive Arts Florida Institute’s training was an easy one for me. I was able to participate in the training without having to make a major move in my life.
EAFI’s flexibility made it possible for me to attend the 6 intensives in 5 trips and do the rest
from home. My internship and my electives were done in my home community, which has been a huge
benefit to my ongoing work here. Visiting Florida in fall, winter and spring was also something I
looked forward to. Even with the travel costs, the total expense compared favorably with other
programs.
I especially appreciated the small intimate setting, and a team of very experienced faculty who
gave the students a lot of personal attention. The faculty also demonstrated their working business model that is completely
rooted in the expressive arts; they live and practice what they teach.
I highly recommend this program for it’s quality of teaching and the attention given to each
individual student’s contribution and progress in the program.”
Annie Rousseau, B.C., Canada www.annierousseau.ca
“The small size allows for personal and professional growth through a close relationship with peers and professionals. They have created a safe, sacred space for personal and professional development.
As a result of my training I am now doing the work I only dreamed of before. I have my own studio and I do expressive arts work in my faith community as Expressive Arts Pastor.”
Rev. Donna Papenhausen, U.C.C. Pastor (Retired)
“I am thrilled to have found a pathway that enables me to engage in meaningful work – offering healing and enrichment to others- while continuing to provide me with endless opportunities to grow as a clinician and instructor.
The instructors are magnificent and bring unique, individual approaches to the training.
I loved the monthly supervision and mentoring. The internship was life changing because it pushed my professional edges while providing me a safe supervisory space to explore and push my boundaries of comfort. Now that I am preparing for the REACE registration through IEATA, I am able to draw upon the experiences, assignments, and readings that were part of the Certificate Program.
Expressive Arts Florida Institute offers a stand-alone training center that provides a level of intellectual, artistic and theoretical rigor comparable to an accredited college and/or university.
Theresa “Dancing Heart” Benson, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
EAFI Level One and Two Graduate
“I am a spiritual director and also lead a non-profit that provides soul care to those in times of transition. This work has been an immense support of that practice. The EAFI training has helped me to provide a safe space in which people can explore these challenging areas and their response to these creative invitations has been very affirming of this work.”
“The instructors are extremely knowledgeable and gifted for this work while, at the same time, being humble and teachable themselves. They are gentle, non-judgmental listeners who helped me to explore inner places I might not have traveled without that level of safety in their presence. It was a terrific learning environment for me. The camaraderie with the other students enriched every intensive weekend. As one traveling from Ohio, the Sarasota location was a welcome respite and worth every travel dollar.”
I am still learning about the larger field of Expressive Arts but every encounter I have had in that expanding community has affirmed my choice of EAFI for my education in this field. The instructors are well connected to the Expressive Arts community and clearly continue in their own learning.
I am much more confident in my art studio and deeply trust that the art I create as a process will help provide insight into life-changing choices regarding my attitudes, practices, relationships, and career.
Judy Smoot, Spiritual Director/Expressive Arts Practitioner
Executive Director, Always We Begin Again
EAFI Level One and Two Graduate
“This program has forever changed my life. It has taken me to new places and opportunities I never thought possible. I have turned an emotionally draining job into a passion that was re-ignited. I have turned from hidden-artist to artist. This is more than learning to teach this work; it is about discovering who you really are.”
“I re-birthed my own creative spirit”
Meredith Malkin, MA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
EAFI Level 1 and 2 Graduate