4 c)  Personal Therapy Requirements

All requirements for personal therapy are in place to help students: 
1)    Manage personal challenges and issues that may arise during the course of their three-year training; 
2)    Benefit from experiential learning and competent modeling in Expressive Arts Therapy; 
3)    Gain the self-insight, awareness and knowledge necessary for the safe and effective use of self in psychotherapeutic practice.

Students are required to be in personal/training EXA therapy concurrent with each academic year, at a minimum frequency of two therapy sessions per month.  Over the course of CREATE’s three-year training, a total of 90 personal therapy hours are required to graduate from the program.  Personal therapy can be any combination of individual or couple or group therapy. 

A letter signed by the student’s therapist(s) attesting to the completion of personal therapy hours must be submitted to CREATE at the end of each academic year. This documentation is required before a student may be considered for advancement to the subsequent year of their training or for graduation from the program. 

Of the 90 personal/training therapy hours required to graduate, at least 60 hours must be provided by a qualified Expressive Arts Therapist. 
A qualified EXA Therapist is one who has fulfilled requirements of a 2+ years diploma EXAT training program recognized by OEATA (or equivalent training):  

Up to 30 hours of the 90 total hours of required personal therapy may be provided by a non-Expressive Arts Therapist who is authorized to practice psychotherapy; i.e., providing they are a member of one of the following bodies: 
 
*    College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
*    College of Nurses of Ontario
*    College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
*    College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
*    College of Psychologists of Ontario
*    Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Note:  While the preference is for an EXAT-based therapist we recognize there may be other considerations.   Requests or exemptions may be considered (e.g., if an Indigenous student wishes to work with a traditional Indigenous healer [as per CRPO Standard 1.4]).  Exemption Letters: each request for an exemption must include a CV of the provider in question and are to be submitted in advance to CREATE’s Director. These requests are not automatically granted, but are vetted on a case-by-case basis.

Out of Province Therapists: Therapy conducted with healthcare providers outside the province of Ontario may be counted towards a student’s personal therapy hours, if the provider meets CREATE requirements (see exemption letter requirement above).

Finding a Therapist:  If you need assistance in finding a therapist, please see: EXAT & SUPERVISION Referral lists or contact CREATE’s Administrative Director. 

CREATE Clinic Student Therapist:  The CREATE Clinic provides EXA Therapy to the general public at a discounted rate.  First-year students may choose to receive EXA Therapy through the Clinic from a student therapist who has completed 3-years of in-class training.
For more info, please see: https://www.thecreateinstitute.org/create-clinic.html