Fundamentals of Therapeutic Art Making Online Training
A Creative Approach to Wellness
Are you a mental health professional, artist, teacher or healer interested in utilizing creativity in your practice or life, but are not ready to invest thousands of dollars into another training or degree?
Do you ever wish for expert advice and guidance on how to facilitate meaningful art making sessions with your clients, but aren’t sure where to start?
I feel you.
Art is our most primitive form of self-expression and communication. I believe everyone should have tools for accessing our inner creative genius, which is exactly why I created this training.
I have a master's degree in art therapy and over 10 years of experience in utilizing art in mental health.
If you are ready to start using the transformational powers of therapeutic art making in your practice, I am here to offer expert art therapist advice on how to do it.
Who is it for?
Mental health professionals who want to use art in their practice.
Artists interested in making additional income facilitating meaningful art making sessions
Retreat leaders interested in adding art making workshops in retreats.
Life coach seeking alternative ways of helping their clients reach their goals.
Sometimes words are not enough…
You’ll learn…
Communication & Self-Expression
How to use art to open up dialogue by asking the right questions
How to use art as a means of communication & self-expression
How to educate your clients about the science of art making
Personal Growth
How to find meaning in artwork and gain insight and awareness
How to utilize art as a tool to increase self-esteem
How to use art as a tool for mindfulness, meditation and stress relief
Sensory use of clay to develop deeper understanding of the self
Mandalas as a tool for meditation and self-discovery
Benefits of Eco-Therapeutic Arts on well-being
Facilitation
Learn how to facilitate your own sessions from beginning to end, and how to gear sessions toward specific goals
Receive 10 meaningful art making directives with complete instructions on how to facilitate each one
Understand how different materials can influence the creative process by exploring clay, painting, collage and drawing
What to Expect
Fully experiential, hands-on learning with short presentations and lectures, meaning you will learn by being in the creative process.
Sharing and discussions after each experiential, as well as an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Support and guidance from a professional art therapist.
When are the next training days and times:
(Click on link to sign up)
August 19th & 20th, 2023 | 9am-5pm EDT both days
September 16th & 17th | 9am-5pm EDT both days
October 21st & 22nd, 2023 | 9am-5pm EDT both days
What materials will I need?
Magazines (I usually find them at thrift stores or doctor’s offices)
Assorted markers
Black pen & notebook or journal
Colored pencils
Drawing pencils
Acrylic paints - (primary colors, white & black)
Watercolors (optional)
Watercolor paper 9x15” (If you're using watercolors)
Bristol paper 14x17”
2 Canvas 18x24”
Scissors
Glue stick (or mod podge)
Paintbrushes various sizes
Sharpener
Eraser
Plastic cup or mason jar for water
Water towels or rags
Paint palette (you can use a paper plate or buy plastic paint palettes)
Please be advised that this is not an "art therapy" course or training. Art therapy is a mental health profession that requires a master's degree education, involves extensive supervision, training and education that could not be covered in a 16 hour training.
*Materials not included. A basic set of art materials is required for this training: oil pastels, journal, magazines, scissors, glue stick, colored pencils, markers, clay, acrylic paint, paint brushes, canvas, and Bristol paper or watercolor paper.
Cancellation Policy: This training is non-refundable, however it is transferable to another training date or service.
Testimonials
This workshop was, simply put, amazing. Ella's leadership created a natural and comfortable atmosphere that encouraged the participants to join together and openly share our stories. I felt connected through art and relationship. I found the workshop beautifully welcoming to those like me who have very little formal/technical art training but still want to learn how to use art in my line of work (as a Marriage and Family Therapist) and in my personal life. I would highly encourage other therapists and healers to participate in one of Ella's workshops to experience first-hand how powerfully healing art is.
— Cassandra Cacace
I highly recommend Ella Dufrene's "Fundamentals of Therapeutic Art Making" workshop. Ella used her gentle and calming nature to teach and guide the Therapeutic Art directives. She fostered the camaraderie between the workshop's participants and the energy between us was palpable. I came away from the weekend energized. "Fundamental of
Therapeutic Art Making" was more than just a weekend workshop, it was a transformative experience.
-AH
Sometimes on your journey through healing you encounter people who add value to your experience. Ella is someone who creates an environment for people to feel safe, seen, heard, and supported. I had the opportunity to take her training for therapeutic art making. Our group learned hands on the fundamentals of group facilitating art as therapy. If you are someone who learns experientially then this training is for you. After the training I feel empowered and excited to utilize what I have learned so I can share this gift with others! Thank you Ella for sharing your heart with all of us.
— Alexandra Yadgaroff
I can not express how grateful I am for this course. I was instructed by Ella Dufrene, a wise and compassionate woman, along side learning with some beautiful students. I learned so much and grew more than I ever thought was possible in just one weekend. I was challenged mentally, emotionally and physically in all the best ways. One of the greatest take aways for my self is that “it’s not about the finished product, it’s about the process”.
As someone who has loved art for as long as I can remember, I would struggle with even beginning an art project in fear that it wouldn’t turn out “perfect” or meet my expectations. But after this weekend, I have a whole new perspective and excited to simply “put my feelings to paper” through art and yoga with no expectations for a final product, but simply to embody the process! This course exceeded any expectations I had going into it. Highly recommend!
-Brittany Montgomery
About Me
I am an artist, dancer and art therapist but above all, I am human, and my mission in life is to help other humans discover a deeper love and understanding of themselves through the healing powers of creative self-expression, mindfulness, and connection to Mother Earth.
I aim the mend the disconnect between mind, body and spirit by inviting play, curiosity, embodiment, and devotion to the divine creator within each of us. I teach people how to become aware of sabotaging behaviors and limiting beliefs so they can reclaim their true sense of self.
I utilize an expressive arts approach – including visual arts, music, dance/movement, and journaling combined with meditation, mindfulness and traditional talk therapy. Together, we’ll paint, draw, sculpt, collage, and explore other forms of creativity. It’s ok if you are not sure how to, I will guide you. When we work together, there is no right or wrong way to express yourself and there is no prior artistic training required.
I am here to take you on a creative journey of self-exploration and personal growth, to help you gain a deeper connection to your intuitive self and the world around you by tapping into your hidden creative wisdom.
I offer Fundamentals of Therapeutic Arts Online Trainings, individual online sessions, in-person workshops, and I run an in-person Women’s Art Therapy Group in Asheville, NC. I use a holistic approach to wellness and a playful ‘person first’ approach to therapy.
