SUMMER EXPRESSIONS Workshop Series
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The Create Institute is pleased to offer this intermodal workshop series from June to July. We invite Psychotherapists, Therapists in Training, Social Workers and other Social Service Providers, Front-line Workers, Artists, potential students for the Create program and curious community members interested in personal and professional growth, to join us in exploring the process of the Expressive Arts and how they shape us as both creator and witness. |
Course fee: $150 each To register, please send registration form and fee payment (etransfer) to: [email protected] |
Starting a Private Expressive Arts Therapy Practice
(Online) Saturday, June 28, 10am-1pm
Registration deadline: June 24
In this workshop, we will explore and discover the building blocks to building both an in-person and online private Expressive Arts Therapy (EXAT) practice. Part of our time will be spent defining who each participant is as an EXAT, what your practice can look like, how to include room for your own capacity and room for growth, as well as setting yourself up with supports and building resiliency into your practice.
Catherine Mellinger (she/they) is an Expressive Arts Therapist (EXAT - graduate of the CREATE Institute, 2011), Perinatal Mental Health Therapist (CC-PMH, Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings and Postpartum Support International). They are also an artist working in mixed media collage and inter-arts installations as well as a community embedded arts facilitator for over 15 years. Their mixed media works have been exhibited across Turtle Island and published Internationally. They currently work in private practice in colonially known Kitchener-Waterloo, land belonging to other Haldimand Treaty.
PLAY, ART and IMAGINATION:
Expanding EXAT work with Children and Parents
(Online) Saturday, July 5, 10am-1pm
Registration deadline: June 30
The course will explore the role of arts, play and imagination in working with children and parents. It is offered to therapists and professionals working with children and parents or those interested in learning more about doing this work. Engaging in artistic processes brings human beings into realms that offer new possibilities and surprises and build resources for addressing challenges and difficulties.
Through the sharing of case material and the experiences of the participants, the course will give a taste of the complexity and richness involved in this kind of work.
Ellen G. Levine, MSW, Ph.D., ATR, REAT is co-founder of and faculty at The CREATE Institute in Toronto, a training program in expressive arts therapy and Professor and Core Faculty at the European Graduate School in Switzerland. Ellen worked from 1989 to 2019 at the Gary Hurvitz Centre for Community Mental Health (formerly the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre for Childrens Mental Health). Her work there included individual and group therapy with children and parents as well as teaching and training in the areas of play therapy and group therapy. She is an author, co-author and editor of a number of books in the field, including Foundations of Expressive Arts Therapy (co-editor), Tending the Fire: Studies in Art, Therapy and Creativity (author), Principles and Practice of Expressive Arts Therapy: Toward a Therapeutic Aesthetics (co-author), Art in Action: Expressive Arts Therapy and Social Change (co-editor), Play and Art in Child Psychotherapy: An Expressive Arts Therapy Approach (author), and New Developments in Expressive Arts Therapy: The Play of Poiesis (co-editor). Currently, Ellen has an international on-line practice which includes supervision, therapy and training.
Expanding EXAT work with Children and Parents
(Online) Saturday, July 5, 10am-1pm
Registration deadline: June 30
The course will explore the role of arts, play and imagination in working with children and parents. It is offered to therapists and professionals working with children and parents or those interested in learning more about doing this work. Engaging in artistic processes brings human beings into realms that offer new possibilities and surprises and build resources for addressing challenges and difficulties.
Through the sharing of case material and the experiences of the participants, the course will give a taste of the complexity and richness involved in this kind of work.
Ellen G. Levine, MSW, Ph.D., ATR, REAT is co-founder of and faculty at The CREATE Institute in Toronto, a training program in expressive arts therapy and Professor and Core Faculty at the European Graduate School in Switzerland. Ellen worked from 1989 to 2019 at the Gary Hurvitz Centre for Community Mental Health (formerly the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre for Childrens Mental Health). Her work there included individual and group therapy with children and parents as well as teaching and training in the areas of play therapy and group therapy. She is an author, co-author and editor of a number of books in the field, including Foundations of Expressive Arts Therapy (co-editor), Tending the Fire: Studies in Art, Therapy and Creativity (author), Principles and Practice of Expressive Arts Therapy: Toward a Therapeutic Aesthetics (co-author), Art in Action: Expressive Arts Therapy and Social Change (co-editor), Play and Art in Child Psychotherapy: An Expressive Arts Therapy Approach (author), and New Developments in Expressive Arts Therapy: The Play of Poiesis (co-editor). Currently, Ellen has an international on-line practice which includes supervision, therapy and training.
BODY AWARENESS:
Inviting movement and dance into EXA therapeutic relationships
(In-Person) Saturday, July 19, 10am-1pm
CREATE Studio, 468 Queen St. East,Suite LL01, Toronto
Registration deadline: July 15
This experiential workshop gives participants an opportunity to explore Expressive Arts Therapy and Dance/Movement Therapy approaches in application to both psychotherapy and community engagement settings. We will practice finding comfort and imagination within our own bodies and will exercise connecting with others by moving together. Play, liberation, expression and joy may be found through exploring the concepts of kinesthetic empathy, mirroring, sensory attunement, use of rhythm and group synchrony.
Ayana Spivak, RP, MA, EXAT, DMT is a Faculty Member of The CREATE Institute. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with CRPO, a psychotherapist in private practice, a certified supervisor and member of the OEATA (Ontario Association of Expressive Arts Therapy) Board of Directors. A graduate from Moscow State University of Psychology & Education with a master’s degree in psychology then continued her education as a Dance Movement Psychotherapist at Institute of Practical Psychology and Psychoanalysis (Moscow, Russia) as well as EXA Therapist at The CREATE Institute. She has been working with groups and individuals in various contexts (psychotherapy, business consulting and dance teaching) since 1994. In collaboration with different social agencies, Ayana facilitates Dance and Expressive Arts Therapy groups for people with diverse backgrounds, age and abilities, including people with developmental or ambulatory disabilities, youth and seniors. Moving through the world and raising her own family, Ayana is keen on Play and Art as an essential and nurturing environment to grow and flourish.
Inviting movement and dance into EXA therapeutic relationships
(In-Person) Saturday, July 19, 10am-1pm
CREATE Studio, 468 Queen St. East,Suite LL01, Toronto
Registration deadline: July 15
This experiential workshop gives participants an opportunity to explore Expressive Arts Therapy and Dance/Movement Therapy approaches in application to both psychotherapy and community engagement settings. We will practice finding comfort and imagination within our own bodies and will exercise connecting with others by moving together. Play, liberation, expression and joy may be found through exploring the concepts of kinesthetic empathy, mirroring, sensory attunement, use of rhythm and group synchrony.
Ayana Spivak, RP, MA, EXAT, DMT is a Faculty Member of The CREATE Institute. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with CRPO, a psychotherapist in private practice, a certified supervisor and member of the OEATA (Ontario Association of Expressive Arts Therapy) Board of Directors. A graduate from Moscow State University of Psychology & Education with a master’s degree in psychology then continued her education as a Dance Movement Psychotherapist at Institute of Practical Psychology and Psychoanalysis (Moscow, Russia) as well as EXA Therapist at The CREATE Institute. She has been working with groups and individuals in various contexts (psychotherapy, business consulting and dance teaching) since 1994. In collaboration with different social agencies, Ayana facilitates Dance and Expressive Arts Therapy groups for people with diverse backgrounds, age and abilities, including people with developmental or ambulatory disabilities, youth and seniors. Moving through the world and raising her own family, Ayana is keen on Play and Art as an essential and nurturing environment to grow and flourish.
EXPRESSIVE ARTS 101: The Fundamentals of Practice
(Online) Thursday, July 24
Registration deadline: July 19
This three-hour workshop explores the theory and practice of decentering, a core principle in expressive arts therapy. Guided by instructor Lee Shields, participants will discover how shifting between artistic modalities—such as voice, music, movement, writing, theatre, and visual art—can enrich and inspire the creative process.
Through hands-on engagement, we will enter an artistic journey that invites a new image or perspective to emerge—offering a powerful resource when facing challenges.
In keeping with The Create Institute’s commitment to experiential learning, this workshop encourages you to explore how the multidimensional nature of artistic expression can inform both your therapeutic work and your personal art practice.
Lee Shields, MA, BSW, RP, EXAT, is a core faculty member with over 25 years of experience in private practice. She holds an MA from the European Graduate School in Switzerland and has also studied at Toronto Metropolitan University and the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy. She is currently a core faculty member, clinical supervisor, and co-director of the Create Clinic. Lee works relationally, grounded in principles of cultural humility and intersectionality. Her clinical focus includes trauma, and she is deeply engaged in the ongoing unpacking of systemic and oppressive frameworks within therapeutic practice. In addition to her psychotherapy work, Lee has a rich background in dance and vocal art. For the past decade, she has studied Butoh with Denise Fujiwara. As a visual artist, Lee explores the interplay of intent and accident through mixed-media painting and sculpture. Using materials such as paper, wood, rusted metal, photocopied images, natural objects, pigment, and wax, she builds layered, translucent surfaces. Through an intuitive process of scraping, melting, and reconfiguring, she allows images to emerge organically—each piece a record of transformation, process, and possibility. Lee is driven by a deep curiosity and a commitment to the unknown, both in her therapeutic work and her art.
(Online) Thursday, July 24
Registration deadline: July 19
This three-hour workshop explores the theory and practice of decentering, a core principle in expressive arts therapy. Guided by instructor Lee Shields, participants will discover how shifting between artistic modalities—such as voice, music, movement, writing, theatre, and visual art—can enrich and inspire the creative process.
Through hands-on engagement, we will enter an artistic journey that invites a new image or perspective to emerge—offering a powerful resource when facing challenges.
In keeping with The Create Institute’s commitment to experiential learning, this workshop encourages you to explore how the multidimensional nature of artistic expression can inform both your therapeutic work and your personal art practice.
Lee Shields, MA, BSW, RP, EXAT, is a core faculty member with over 25 years of experience in private practice. She holds an MA from the European Graduate School in Switzerland and has also studied at Toronto Metropolitan University and the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy. She is currently a core faculty member, clinical supervisor, and co-director of the Create Clinic. Lee works relationally, grounded in principles of cultural humility and intersectionality. Her clinical focus includes trauma, and she is deeply engaged in the ongoing unpacking of systemic and oppressive frameworks within therapeutic practice. In addition to her psychotherapy work, Lee has a rich background in dance and vocal art. For the past decade, she has studied Butoh with Denise Fujiwara. As a visual artist, Lee explores the interplay of intent and accident through mixed-media painting and sculpture. Using materials such as paper, wood, rusted metal, photocopied images, natural objects, pigment, and wax, she builds layered, translucent surfaces. Through an intuitive process of scraping, melting, and reconfiguring, she allows images to emerge organically—each piece a record of transformation, process, and possibility. Lee is driven by a deep curiosity and a commitment to the unknown, both in her therapeutic work and her art.
Attending to the Sacred: Spirituality & Expressive Arts Therapy
(Online) Saturday, July 26, 10am-1pm
Registration deadline: July 22
This course will survey the intersection between expressive arts therapy and spirituality to broaden understanding, and will facilitate learning via three main foci: 1) Spirituality is more than a single story of organized religion
2) Spirituality in the therapeutic arena is always informed and defined by each client’s unique sense of the sacred, not the therapist's
3) Spirituality and psychotherapy is a prescribed evidence-based experiential therapy recognized by the CRPO (Canadian College of Registered Psychotherapists)
The scope and application of this short course are intended to be eclectic and diverse: ecumenically, cross-culturally, and appropriate for faith, non-faith-based, wisdom traditions, and worldview spiritualities.
Discussions will include navigating the topical challenges for clients and therapists alike. These conversations will be supported by historical theories, foundational models, scenarios to practice ethical decision-making, an overview of recent neuro-theological evidence, and how to create hands-on expressive arts modalities
Participants will engage in learning that answers the overarching question-
How to Attend to the Sacred in Expressive Arts Therapy
Ouida is the director of the CREATE Institute, an ordained Minister, spiritual director, supervisor, educator, consultant, and workshop facilitator. She also has a private practice in Spiritual Direction and the Expressive Arts and teaches this specialty at various educational institutions.
Ouida has both lived and professional experience to support that for some clients, there is a necessity to recognize the role of the sacred as an important healing factor within the therapeutic alliance. Transformational inner healing always integrates our whole self -body, mind, and spirit.
(Online) Saturday, July 26, 10am-1pm
Registration deadline: July 22
This course will survey the intersection between expressive arts therapy and spirituality to broaden understanding, and will facilitate learning via three main foci: 1) Spirituality is more than a single story of organized religion
2) Spirituality in the therapeutic arena is always informed and defined by each client’s unique sense of the sacred, not the therapist's
3) Spirituality and psychotherapy is a prescribed evidence-based experiential therapy recognized by the CRPO (Canadian College of Registered Psychotherapists)
The scope and application of this short course are intended to be eclectic and diverse: ecumenically, cross-culturally, and appropriate for faith, non-faith-based, wisdom traditions, and worldview spiritualities.
Discussions will include navigating the topical challenges for clients and therapists alike. These conversations will be supported by historical theories, foundational models, scenarios to practice ethical decision-making, an overview of recent neuro-theological evidence, and how to create hands-on expressive arts modalities
Participants will engage in learning that answers the overarching question-
How to Attend to the Sacred in Expressive Arts Therapy
Ouida is the director of the CREATE Institute, an ordained Minister, spiritual director, supervisor, educator, consultant, and workshop facilitator. She also has a private practice in Spiritual Direction and the Expressive Arts and teaches this specialty at various educational institutions.
Ouida has both lived and professional experience to support that for some clients, there is a necessity to recognize the role of the sacred as an important healing factor within the therapeutic alliance. Transformational inner healing always integrates our whole self -body, mind, and spirit.
These workshops do not require approval under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005