Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and professional development as you gain the practical tools and theoretical knowledge needed to confidently lead therapeutic art sessions.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF THERAPEUTIC ART MAKING

An Artful Path to Holistic Wellness

Why This Training Exists

For years, while working as an art therapist, helping professionals would come to my office asking to borrow art supplies for their groups.

When I asked what they planned to do, the answer was almost always the same:

"We're just going to print some coloring pages."

It wasn't because they lacked creativity.

It was because they lacked confidence.

Again and again, I heard:

"I'm afraid of crossing into art therapy."

That fear revealed a much bigger problem.

Somewhere along the way, we've forgotten that creativity belongs to all of us.

Long before therapy offices and professional licenses existed, humans were making art to express emotions, mark life's transitions, strengthen community, and make meaning of their experiences. Creative expression is one of our oldest forms of communication. It is our birthright.

Art therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy, and respecting that distinction is essential.

But there is also a powerful place for therapeutic art making—intentional creative experiences that promote reflection, connection, resilience, and well-being without practicing psychotherapy.

That's why I created this training.

To help counselors, coaches, educators, healthcare professionals, yoga teachers, and other helping professionals feel confident using creative expression ethically, intentionally, and effectively.

Because there is so much more available than coloring pages.

And when people are given the opportunity to create with purpose, something remarkable happens: they begin to reconnect with themselves, each other, and what matters most.

Whether you’re an artist, mental health specialist, caregiver, coach, social worker, educator, or community leader, you have the potential to elevate both your practice and the welfare of your clients through the tool of creative expression. During the Fundamentals of Therapeutic Arts training, I will guide you in harnessing and channeling this innate artistic wisdom using an empirically-backed, immersive approach.

From Uncertain to Confident Creative Facilitator

Before

  • Afraid of crossing boundaries into art therapy

  • Using coloring pages and crafts

  • Searching for ideas.

  • Unsure what materials to use and why

  • Hoping participants engage.

After

  • Confident in your ethical scope.

  • Purposeful, research-informed creative experiences.

  • Following a proven framework.

  • Trusting your creativity and feeling comfortable with materials.

  • Intentionally designing meaningful experiences.

Woman painting on the floor with colorful paints and brush

Why choose this training?

  • Ella Dufrene is a Registered Art Therapist, educator, and retreat leader. For more than a decade, she has helped individuals, groups, and helping professionals harness the transformative power of creativity for self-discovery, personal growth, and meaningful connection.

    She holds a Master's Degree in Art Therapy and Creativity Development from Pratt Institute and has spent the past ten years facilitating therapeutic art-making experiences in clinical settings, retreat environments, community programs, and private practice.

    Ella is passionate about helping therapists, educators, coaches, wellness practitioners, artists, and curious creatives develop a deeper understanding of how art-making can support reflection, self-expression, and well-being. Her teaching style is experiential, engaging, and grounded in both research and lived practice. Participants don't just learn about therapeutic art-making—they experience it firsthand.

    Drawing from art therapy, mindfulness, somatic awareness, nature-based practices, and expressive arts approaches, Ella creates learning environments that are both professionally enriching and personally transformative.

    Whether you're looking to expand your professional toolbox, deepen your relationship with creativity, or learn how to facilitate meaningful art-making experiences for others, Ella's goal is to help you leave feeling inspired, confident, and equipped with practical tools you can immediately apply in your life and work.

  • Our curriculum will equip you with proven tools needed to make a lasting impact and guide you through applying the transformative power of art.

    Our methodology, although systematic and research-based, acknowledges individual learning styles and tailors our course accordingly. We focus heavily on practical application and experiential learning, ensuring not just knowledge acquisition, but its application too.

    Enhancing Therapeutic Skills: Learn practical skills to incorporate therapeutic art into your practice through hands-on experiential learning.

    Driving Career Development: Equip yourself with the necessary tools to professionally integrate art into your practice.

    Fostering Personal Growth and Self-Care: Discover how art can serve as self-care to alleviate stress, enhance self-awareness, foster creative coping mechanisms, and uplift mood.

    Creating Community Impact: Learn to run therapeutic art classes or programs, enabling communal growth through art.

    Promoting Creative Expansion: Overcome artistic blocks and expand your creative capabilities while understanding the therapeutic benefits.

    BONUS: Receive 50+ meaningful art making directives with complete instructions on how to apply them to your individual practice.

Save My Seat

Madison’s Testimonial

3-day online training

3-day online training (Fri-Sun, 9-4:30pm each day), conducted through zoom.

Upcoming Dates:

July 3–5, 2026 | 9:00 AM–4:30 PM Eastern Time (3 spots left)

August 14–16, 2026 | 9:00 AM–4:30 PM Pacific Time

September 11–14, 2026 | 9:00 AM–4:30 PM Eastern Time

Pre-requisite

This training requires no prior formal art training or education. A background in therapy and counseling techniques is helpful, but not necessary.

Payment Plans Available

Join an Upcoming Cohort

  • Testimonial

    This training is beautifully welcoming to those like me who have very little art training but still want to learn how to use art in their practice & personal life.

    -Cassandra Cacace, Marriage and Family Therapist

  • Testimonial

    I felt really prepared and confident to be able to be able to lead my first workshop, and I even used at as an opportunity to sell my own art!

    -Miranda, Artist

  • Testimonial

    Ella is someone who creates an environment for people to feel safe, seen, heard, and supported. After the training I feel empowered and excited to utilize what I have learned so I can share this gift with others!

    -Alexandra Yadgaroff, Artist

  • Testimonial

    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. The training was more than just a weekend workshop, it was a transformative experience.

    -Abby Holmes

  • Testimonial

    Ella is delightful, deeply talented, and wonderfully intentional about building community. That sense of connection was palpable throughout the weekend. We painted, drew, sculpted, collaged and, through it all, I had the opportunity to reflect on my own relationship with creativity.

    -Alisa Genovese, MFT

Woman sitting at a wooden desk with a laptop, holding a pen, smiling, plant on desk, kitchen background.

Our Curriculum

  • Intro and Overview:

    • Experiential Self-Reflection Collage

    • Sharing, responses, discussion

    Creative Mental Health Practices and Theories 101

    • What is Art Therapy?

    • What is Therapeutic Arts?

    • Who Benefits from Art Therapy & Therapeutic Arts Settings?

    • Sharing, responses, discussion

    The Sensory Use of Clay:

    • Clay as a Tool for Meditation

    • Transformative Powers of Clay

    • Meditation, Mantra & Clay Experiential Activity

    • Sharing, responses, discussion

    Understanding the Meaning of Mandalas:

    • Jungian Archetypal Symbols & Themes

    • Experiential activity

    Neurobiology of Creative Expression

    • Neuroplasticity

    • Neurogenesis

    • Neurotransmitters and creativity

    • Self expression and memory

    • Dopamine and creativity

    • Serotonin and creativity

  • Rorschach’s Method :

    • Psychological Assessment Test - Theory & Technique

    • Experiential activity

    • Sharing, responses, discussion

    Eco-Therapeutic Arts:

    • Nature as Setting

    • Nature as Subject

    • Nature as Material

    • Existential

    • Experiential activity

    • Sharing, responses, discussion

    The Power of Materials in Influencing Expression and Facilitating Therapeutic Outcomes

    • Drawing (pastels, colored pencils, markers)

    • Painting (watercolors & acrylics)

    • Sculpting (clay & found objects)

    • Collaging

    Mindfulness-Based Therapeutic Arts Approaches & Theories:

    • Self-Compassion

    • Becoming the inner witness

    • Meditation

    • Visualization

    • Experiential activity

    • Sharing, responses, discussion

    Integrating Movement & Music in Therapeutic Arts:

    • Authentic Movement Theory & Technique

    • Intuitive Painting Theory & Technique

    • Experiential activity

  • Somatic Application in Therapeutic Arts:

    • Theory & practice

    • Body Scan Experiential

    Effective Group Session Structuring and Facilitation

    • Initial consult- Identifying & assessing client needs

    • Setting up

    • Illustrative Case Examples

    • Building Rapport

    • Materials

    • Group Structure

    • Educating

    • Themes

    • How to work with specific audience to meet certain goals

    • Dealing with resistance

    • Music

    Practical Application

    • Planning & sharing in break out rooms

    Putting The Work Into Practice:

    • Cultivate your unique creative voice and boost your confidence through hands-on practice. Each training participant will have an opportunity to co-facilitate a directive and receive feedback from peers.

Not Ready to Join? Book a Connection Call

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Not at all. This training is about facilitating the creative process, not creating "good" art. No artistic experience is required, only curiosity and a willingness to explore.

  • No. This training focuses on therapeutic art making, which is different from Art Therapy.

    Art Therapy is a mental health profession practiced by licensed or credentialed art therapists. Therapeutic art making uses creative experiences to support reflection, self-expression, and connection in educational, wellness, coaching, community, and other non-clinical settings.

    Throughout the training, we discuss ethical considerations and scope of practice so you'll understand how to use these approaches responsibly within your own profession.

  • Fundamentals is ideal for therapists, counselors, educators, coaches, artists, wellness practitioners, social workers, community leaders, and anyone interested in integrating therapeutic art making into their personal or professional life.

  • You'll leave with:

    • A practical framework for facilitating therapeutic art experiences

    • Hands-on experience leading creative directives

    • Greater confidence as a facilitator

    • A digital workbook and resources

    • Practical tools you can immediately apply in your work

    • A Certificate of Completion

  • Yes. This is a live, interactive training held on Zoom.

    Because experiential learning and group discussion are central to the experience, participants are expected to attend live.

  • Yes. You will receive access to all training recordings and training materials.

  • Collage Materials

    • Magazines (thrift stores, libraries, waiting rooms, and community centers are often great sources)

    • Scissors

    • Glue stick or Mod Podge

    Drawing Materials

    • Assorted markers

    • Colored pencils

    • Drawing pencils

    • Black pen

    • Notebook or journal

    • Sharpener

    • Eraser

    • Pastels (chalk or oil)

    Painting Materials

    • Acrylic paints

    • Watercolors (optional)

    • Paintbrushes in various sizes

    • Paint palette (a paper plate works perfectly)

    • Plastic cup or mason jar for water

    • Towels or rags

    Paper & Surfaces

    • Bristol paper or surface for collage (14" x 17")

    • Watercolor paper (a least 10x10)

    • One canvas (at least 10x10")

    Sculpture Materials

    • Self-hardening clay, ceramic clay (ideal), or paper clay. Make sure it is soft enough to manipulate.

    Additional Recommended Materials

    • Water-soluble pastels

  • Yes. Participants who complete the training will receive a Certificate of Completion.

    Please note that this certificate does not certify participants as Art Therapists or licensed mental health professionals.