Program Structure

The training program consists of four components:
  1. Classes and intensives
  2. Practicum
  3. Expressive Arts therapy
  4. Studio work
1. Classes and intensives  
  • In the first two years, students attend classes once a week and also attend several weekend intensive courses.
  • In the third year, the training takes place through a combination of weekly classes and weekend intensives.
The weekends intensive courses include training in the various arts therapy specialties, such as:
  • Visual Arts Therapy
  • Dance/Movement Therapy
  • Creative Writing and Poetry Therapy
  • Voice Therapy
  • Drama Therapy
  • Clown Therapy
  • Music Therapy
2. Practicum
  • Total over the three years - 600 hours
  • 250 hours are spent in direct client contact (DCC).
  • 85 hours are spent in Non-clinical Art-based facilitation
  • 80 hours of Supervision
  • 185 hours are spent on indirect activities, such as administration, staff meetings, record-keeping, planning, debriefing, preparation, cleanup, Q&As, and Research. (A maximum of 100 research hours may be counted.)

For more information on Practicum click here.
3. Expressive Arts Therapy with a therapist approved by the Training Directors.
  • 90 hours of therapy are required for completion of the three year program.
For those entering the program with a strong therapy relationship in place, CREATE offers a transition time of 30 therapy hours to stay with that therapist before completing the remaining required hours with an intermodal expressive arts therapist.
For all others, a minimum of 90 hours of individual therapy must be with an intermodal expressive arts therapist.

4. Studio Work
Students pursue studio work in the arts and present this work to the community once a year.
  • a total of 300 hours are required to complete the three year program.