Online Training in Art Therapy
Enrollments for 2025 are now open
This training has been designed to offer counsellors, social workers, teachers, psychologists, medical professionals and community services practitioners a solid professional development option to integrate various art-making and therapeutic art techniques into their own scope of practice.
"Our aim is to equip participants with an assortment of therapeutic tools suitable for a range of different client groups and inner needs."
Delivered over three experiential modules, all participants will engage in a personal journey including seminars, online group work, case histories and downloadable course material. There will be ample opportunity to engage in art making, reflective discussion, small-group sharing and Q&A.
Modules are facilitated by Institute of Sensorimotor Art Therapy faculty member Chris Storm, together with Founder and Director Cornelia Elbrecht.
This certificate program is recognised professional development with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) accepts this course as professional development.
Students will complete a total of 56 group hours.
"This training has emerged out of 40+ years as a practicing art therapist, collating those art therapy exercises that have proved the most effective and beneficial for clients."
Training Dates – 2025
We are offering this training in two international streams.
Stream 1 |
Stream 2 |
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Australia, USA, Canada & Americas |
Australia, UK, Europe, Middle East & Asia |
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Module 1 |
29-31 March 2025 | 16-18 May 2025 |
Module 2 |
28-30 June 2025 |
5-7 September 2025 |
Module 3 |
11-13 October 2025 |
28-30 November 2025 |
All dates and times are Australian (AEST/AEDT).
Course Overview
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1
Module 1 – Family Art Therapy
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Art therapy as a non-verbal medium of communication
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Communication in groups with the assistance of art therapy
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Exploring one's identity through visual expression
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Visualizing the roles and dynamics of relationships within families and other groups
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Working with crayons and plasticine
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Collage as a means of “piecing myself together”
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Creating a ‘Self Box’
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Beginning to create 'Soul Cards'
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2
Module 2 – Symbols & Guided Imagery
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Ways to inspire dreams, the imagination, a sense of an inner path and meaning
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Working with given objects to stimulate and evoke a symbolic story
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Aspects of Sand Play Therapy in combination with a multimedia art therapy approach
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Creating stories through narrating, writing, drawing, painting
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Working with sensory body perception and symbols
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Creating a totem, a sacred object of power
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Symbolic meaning of animals, plants and landscapes in the Jungian and transpersonal context
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Gestalt therapy approach to dreams and images
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Intervention skills through the use of symbolic objects and images
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Sensory body-focused perception and art therapy
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3
Module 3 – Building Resources for Crisis Management
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Stabilization techniques
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Resource building exercises
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Client safety
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Nervous system regulation
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Mindfulness
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Various approaches to Mandalas, including;
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- Group Mandala
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- Mandala Meditations
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- Movement-based Mandalas
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- Creation of Individual Mandalas
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Mandalas as a tool for crisis intervention
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Course Outline
For detailed information on this training please download the PDF.
Enrollments for 2025 are now open
Testimonials
I now have bottom up and cognitive tools to help myself and my clients
Supported me to feel confident in the art therapy landscape
I felt safe creating and presenting
What I loved most was the immersive aspect of the course
The online format did not limit the depth of this course
This course has been life changing!
Experiencing healing and self growth along the way
I would recommend this training in a heartbeat!
Encouragement to bring it in to client work from the first module
I get to step into the clients shoes
Facilitators
The training will be facilitated by Chris Storm and Cornelia Elbrecht
Faculty
Chris Storm
Founder & Director
Cornelia Elbrecht
Frequently Asked Questions
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How is the training delivered?
All sessions for this training are online and hosted live through Zoom.
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How much time does each module take to complete?
Each module consists of three sessions of six hours each. Consider this to be like a weekend workshop format. There are also plenty of breaks factored in!
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How do I source the art materials?
We will send out a detailed list of the materials you will need prior to each module. All the materials will be easy for you to source. For example this will include crayons, paper, collage materials etc.
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What if I miss a session / part of a session?
We can accommodate anyone who misses parts of the training. This may be through watching the recording of a session or by joining another stream.
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I don't have any art therapy or creative experience. Can I join the training?
Yes, absolutely. You don't need to have any creative skills to join, and we will support you throughout the exercises. We are more focused on the process and giving you the skills to be able to safely offer this to clients.
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How much does the training cost?
The cost of the training is US$450 per module, so US$1350 in total. We require a deposit of US$450, which will be credited for Module 3. Module 1 and 2 require a separate payment to attend.
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Is there anyone I can contact for more information or if I have technical issues?
Please contact [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
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What will this training qualify me for?
This course is certified as professional development training by our Australian registering bodies ANZACATA and ACA. Our training is widely recognized internationally, although we recommend you check with your local registering body as this may vary. We encourage all participants to actively integrate the exercises we teach into their field of practice. This training is not the equivalent to a formal tertiary qualification to become a registered Art Therapist, which here in Australia required a masters-level degree.
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I am nervous about studying online. How is the training supported?
All sessions of the training will be closely supported by our facilitators, who all have extensive experience as therapists. The group sizes will be limited in numbers to accommodate everyone and facilitate a safe experience. We will be together in the main Zoom room for the discussions, presentations and exercises. Participants will then join smaller break-out rooms with a facilitator to discuss individual processes and insights. We have received a lot of positive feedback for this model of delivering the training, and we have designed it to be engaging, inclusive and fun!