Self discovery through Guided Drawing®

3-week training with Cornelia Elbrecht

The Transformation Journey has been designed for therapists to offer them Guided Drawing® intervention tools that are body-focused, trauma-informed and primarily non-verbal.

This course teaches how as a therapist you can can observe your clients' bilateral movements on paper and support their therapeutic process through skilled interventions. Suggesting the drawing of certain shapes in rhythmic repetition allows clients to practice how it feels to do things differently, how they can safely express pent-up emotions, integrate lost aspects of their soul or strengthen a resolve without engaging in the narrative of what happened. Cognitive interpretations or insights are not the focus. Instead belief systems become updated - based on the bottom-up discovery of a renewed implicit identity.

Cornelia Elbrecht

The training discusses two core client groups. There are those who need to strengthen their ego, become more aware of their behavioural action patterns, have to learn how to express emotions without getting overwhelmed by them and move out of chaotic life experiences into more structured ones. 

The other client group tends to be overly cognitive, often suffocatingly structured and disciplined, dissociated from feelings, or disconnected from the body and its vital life impulse. The need of this latter group is to become more connected, find an inner flow and discover healing and wholeness.

Professional Development

  • For Mental Health Professionals

    Receive a 'Certificate of Completion' and earn up to 12 Professional Development Points.

  • 3 Week Training

    Start the training in your own time. Three weeks of material, twelve months to complete.

  • Essays and Course Notes

    Download over 20 in-depth, downloadable PDF's - including updated chapters from "The Transformation Journey" book.

Enroll Now

12 months access | Course is available to start now

This certified training course has been tailored to a global, online audience. Presented by Cornelia Elbrecht the professionally filmed video lessons are pre-recorded and accessible for students to complete in their own time. 

The course includes two recorded Guided Drawing® sessions and video lessons are illustrated with detailed Guided Drawing® recordings and case examples. Students will be self-guided and have twelve months to complete and review the entire training - with the option to interact and share their experiences on the dedicated course group forum.

Unlike the cohort based Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing® course there is no fixed starting date and students can begin the course immediately.

The Transformation Journey is a course suitable for both new students wishing to gain an introduction into the Guided Drawing® modality, and past students familiar with Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing® wishing to deepen their knowledge of the modality. Both courses are designed to complement each other.




Downloadable PDF Resources

Based on Cornelia Elbrecht's book The Transformation Journey (2014) the course includes extensive parts of the text that have been edited and made available in over 20 downloadable PDFs.

Preview these sample PDFs for examples of the material included in this course.

Course Overview

A break-down of the main course themes:

  • Week 1: The Transformation Journey

    - Introduction - The Shapes - Journey through the Underworld - The Transformation - Conclusion to Week 1

  • Week 2: The Ascending Phase

    - Introduction - Beginning - Wounding - Incubation - Awakening - Struggle - Sorting the Seeds - Victory - The Bottom-Up Approach - Ascending Phase Case Study - Conclusion to Week 2

  • Week 3: The Descending Phase

    - Introduction - Crystallization - Surrender - Cruxifixion - Fragmentation - Healing - Descending Phase Case Study - Conclusion to the Course

Enroll Now

Access the full training in your own time. All course lessons available for 12 months.

Course Curriculum

See the detailed course structure. Sign up to access the free preview videos.

  • 1

    Week 1 - Module 1: Introduction

  • 2

    Week 1 - Module 2: The Shapes

    • Archetypes and the Shapes in Guided Drawing

    • The History of Consciousness

    • Exploring the Masculine and Feminine

    • Ascending Development of Consciousness

    • Descending into the Unconscious

  • 3

    Week 1 - Module 3: Journey through the Underworld

    • The Transformation Journey - PDF Download

    • Myths and the Path through the Underworld

    • Homeground, Waste Land and the 'Calling'

    • The Transformation

    • The Return

  • 4

    Week 1 - Module 4: The Transformation

    • Guided Drawing Shapes and the Transformation Journey

    • Stages of Consciousness - PDF Download

    • The Ascending Phase

    • The Descending Phase

    • Into the Underworld

    • Return to the Midnight Point

  • 5

    Week 1 - Module 5: Conclusion

    • Supporting Clients into the Subconscious

    • Conclusion to Week 1

    • Week 1 'Homework' Exercise - PDF download

  • 6

    Week 2 - Module 1: Introduction

    • Introduction to Week 2

    • Strengthening Clients Non-Verbally - Part 1

    • Strengthening Clients Non-Verbally - Part 2

  • 7

    Week 2 - Module 2: Beginning

    • Beginning - PDF Download

    • Beginning: at the Midnight Point

    • The Circle - a Case Example

    • The Circle as a Container

    • Clients' Experiences with the Circle

  • 8

    Week 2 - Module 3: Wounding

    • Wounding - PDF Download

    • Wounding

    • The New Impulse

    • Wounding in Guided Drawing: Case Example

    • Wounding as a Process of Development

  • 9

    Week 2 - Module 4: Incubation

    • Incubation - PDF Download

    • Incubation

    • The Collective Impulse

    • Strengthening the Ego

  • 10

    Week 2 - Module 5: Awakening

    • Awakening - PDF Download

    • Awakening

    • Creating Connection and Flow in Awakening

  • 11

    Week 2 - Module 6: Struggle

    • Struggle - PDF Download

    • Struggle

    • The Challenges of Struggle

    • Constructive Interventions for Struggle

  • 12

    Week 2 - Module 7: Sorting the Seeds

    • Sorting the Seeds - PDF Download

    • Sorting the Seeds

    • Empowerment: a Case Study

    • Intervening for Stabilization

  • 13

    Week 2 - Module 8: Victory

    • Victory - PDF Download

    • Standing on My Own

    • Overcoming Wounding

    • Reconnecting with the Inner Ground

  • 14

    Week 2 - Module 9: The Bottom-Up Approach

    • Applying the Shapes

    • Examples of Client Histories

    • The Bottom-Up Approach - PDF Download

    • A Bottom-Up Approach

  • 15

    Week 2 - Module 10: Ascending Phase Case Study

    • Introducing - Ascending Phase Case Study: Sian

    • Ascending Phase Case Study: Sian

  • 16

    Week 2 - Module 11: Conclusion

    • Conclusion to Week 2

    • Week 2 Summary - PDF download

    • Week 2 'Homework' Exercise - PDF download

    • Next week...

  • 17

    Week 3 - Module 1: Introduction

    • Introduction to Week 3

    • Recognizing Client Groups

    • Art Materials for Greater Connection

  • 18

    Week 3 - Module 2: Crystallization

    • Enlightenment

    • Enlightenment - PDF download

    • Crystallization

    • Crystallization - PDF download

    • Focussing Exercise for Connection

    • The Higher Consciousness - PDF download

  • 19

    Week 3 - Module 3: Surrender

    • Surrender - PDF download

    • Surrender

    • The Call

    • The Disempowered Female

  • 20

    Week 3 - Module 4: Crucifixion

    • Crucifixion - PDF download

    • Voluntary and Involuntary Paths into the Underworld

    • Guided Drawing Shapes for Crucifixion

    • The Realm of Trauma

  • 21

    Week 3 - Module 5: Fragmentation

    • Fragmentation - PDF download

    • In the Belly of the Whale

    • Disempowering the Ego

    • The Land of Forgetfulness

  • 22

    Week 3 - Module 6: Healing

    • Healing - PDF download

    • Strengthening the Core

    • Mandala Templates - PDF download

    • The Hero Inside You

    • Rebirth - PDF download

    • Rebirth

  • 23

    Week 3 - Module 7: Descending Phase Case Study

    • Introducing - Descending Phase Case Study: Kate

    • Descending Phase Case Study: Kate

  • 24

    Week 3 - Module 8: Conclusion

    • Letting Go

    • Week 3 Summary - PDF download

    • Week 3 'Homework' Exercise - PDF download

    • Key Stages of the Ascending Phase

    • Key Stages of the Descending Phase

    • Conclusion the the Course

    • Certificate & What Next...

Course Reviews

Hear what other students have to say about this course.

The Transformation Journey

Kate Meadowcroft

I greatly appreciated the depth and breadth of this course, which I found very well paced for my learning, and the visual diagrams and case studies really st...

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I greatly appreciated the depth and breadth of this course, which I found very well paced for my learning, and the visual diagrams and case studies really strengthen understanding. As an arts psychotherapist with an interest in the the role of the body and somatic experience in the therapeutic process, Cornelia's approach provides new inspiration, understanding and direction. I am also drawn to Jungian perspectives of the human psyche so the concept of the transformation journey, with ascent and descent phases, was very resonant. Thank you!

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Rich and valuable for finding inner standing.

Stella Week

This course is beautifully presented and organized. I will have to come back to it again to fully appreciate and absorb all of it. It gives me new insight an...

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This course is beautifully presented and organized. I will have to come back to it again to fully appreciate and absorb all of it. It gives me new insight and perspective that will be valuable to my own healing process and those I am connected to or working with.

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Developing my own practice wisdom

Jennifer Carriere

I am blow away by the depth of understanding and knowledge as well as the felt sense of this course on Guided Drawing. Thank you Cornelia for sharing your va...

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I am blow away by the depth of understanding and knowledge as well as the felt sense of this course on Guided Drawing. Thank you Cornelia for sharing your vast theoretical knowledge and practice wisdom. I look forward to continuing my journey in Guided Drawing and developing my own practice wisdom. Feeling really blessed to be on this journey with so many wonderful and knowledgeable people.

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Intriguing, informative and invaluable

Julie-Anne Pinney

I found 'The Transformation Journey' to be an amazing resource. The presentation is clear and informative and well supported by the accompanying theoretical...

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I found 'The Transformation Journey' to be an amazing resource. The presentation is clear and informative and well supported by the accompanying theoretical material. Case studies included are both practical and illustrative of concepts raised. I fully intend to revisit the 'Journey' many times, as I am sure I will deepen my understanding of content each time I engage with it, which will not only be of personal benefit but hugely supportive of my work with clients.

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Finding my own journey home

Chris Storm

Thank you for a clear and practical way to learn about the archetypal approach that is Guided Drawing. The layout and content are of a highly professional s...

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Thank you for a clear and practical way to learn about the archetypal approach that is Guided Drawing. The layout and content are of a highly professional standard that complements other trainings in Sensorimotor Art Therapy. I recommend this training to anyone who is looking for creative ways to support clients in their process.

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Wonderful Course!

Mun Ying Lau

Thank you for such an enlightening course! l learned a lot about the use of the hero's journey initiation going through the Ascending and Descending cycles,...

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Thank you for such an enlightening course! l learned a lot about the use of the hero's journey initiation going through the Ascending and Descending cycles, and the especially application of sensorimotor driven art therapy! Looking forward to the Trauma Healing course I signed up for as well! Cheers!

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Learning the flow of psychology

Kirsten Smith

This course provides a template for gaining insight into a client's emotional and psychological state - and develops in the practitioner capability and confi...

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This course provides a template for gaining insight into a client's emotional and psychological state - and develops in the practitioner capability and confidence to suggest interventions which positively support a client's individual embodied process

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Nurturing myself

Carolyn Young

Thank you Cornelia I have been around this cycle many times in my lifetime so far. It seems that we can manage with some stages not fully embedded. Doing th...

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Thank you Cornelia I have been around this cycle many times in my lifetime so far. It seems that we can manage with some stages not fully embedded. Doing this module has enabled me to focus on a specific stage which was incomplete within myself. Working through with the drawings has given me insights into what I needed, and to take action towards nurturing myself.

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Deeper level to art therapy

Brenda Valiaho

Thank you so much for this course! The teaching/learning, the knowledge and the connection to myths/story, culture and embodied art making adds a deeper leve...

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Thank you so much for this course! The teaching/learning, the knowledge and the connection to myths/story, culture and embodied art making adds a deeper level to art therapy and healing work. I'm very grateful for this theoretical and strength-based course and for being introduced to Cornelia Elbrecht through the accompanying videos. I look forward to continued learning in the Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing course.

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An Opening!

Chanti Tacoronte-Perez

This was a great journey. Direct and clear, as well as open and encouraging in discovering what works for me individually. I highly recommend this course, tr...

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This was a great journey. Direct and clear, as well as open and encouraging in discovering what works for me individually. I highly recommend this course, truly beautiful! Thank you!

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Also available from our Online School

Understand and apply trauma healing with Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing. Save US$150 with our Guided Drawing Course Bundle.