Your professional education in expressive arts  therapy begins here.

Welcome to the Expressive Arts Institute, home of America’s premiere education in Expressive Arts Therapy, Coaching and Education.

Since 1998, we have provided California’s only fully integrated intermodal, interdisciplinary education for Expressive Arts Practitioners. The Institute offers an accredited MA in Expressive Arts Therapy with a low residency European study component, in cooperation with the field leading European Graduate School (EGS). We also offer training and education for licensed professionals seeking registration or simply to add skills in the arts to their practice, and a certificate program in Expressive Arts Coaching.

Whether you are looking for a next step in your arts based career, or looking to add the therapeutic arts into your educational practice, the institute is your choice for excellence.

PLEASE NOTE

During COVID 19, the institute continues the tradition of quality education through our hybrid program, which features weekend intensives online, with a low residency summer component in San Diego, CA, as permitted by CDC guidelines. We will return to in-person programming as soon as immunization and  sound science permits us to do so.

Welcome to the Expressive Arts Institute, home of America’s premiere education in Expressive Arts Therapy, Coaching and Education.

Since 1998, we have provided California’s only fully integrated intermodal, interdisciplinary education for Expressive Arts Practitioners. The Institute offers an accredited MA in Expressive Arts Therapy with a low residency European study component, in cooperation with the field leading European Graduate School (EGS). We also offer training and education for licensed professionals seeking registration or simply to add skills in the arts to their practice, and a certificate program in Expressive Arts Coaching.

Whether you are looking for a next step in your arts based career, or looking to add the therapeutic arts into your educational practice, the institute is your choice for excellence.

PLEASE NOTE

During COVID 19, the institute continues the tradition of quality education through our hybrid program, which features weekend intensives online, with a low residency summer component in San Diego, CA, as permitted by CDC guidelines. We will return to in-person programming as soon as immunization and  sound science permits us to do so.

summer intensive expressive arts therapy course

Institute Summertime Intensive! Be a part of the fun, and the history

August 16 @ 9:00 amAugust 20 @ 5:00 pm

Join us this summer for four days of in-person expressive arts training. This fun, fully experiential course provides credits that can be used in lieu of our prerequisite introduction course and applied to any of our training programs in the intermodal expressive arts. The course will benefit students, therapy professionals, and those simply seeking to explore their creative potential We’ll work across disciplines with visual art, dance, music, poetry, drama, creative writing and land art. We will work at various locations both outdoors and in studio in San Diego

Learn More

expressive arts therapy training
Get your questions answered and your curiosities about our program confirmed in a free 1 hour Zoom information session.
expressive arts therapy courses
Online Course: Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy & Coaching. Say yes to an exploration of your own creative potential this year!
expressive arts therapist san diego
Looking for an Expressive Arts Therapist? We offer in-person and online therapy services.

Affiliations

european graduate school
egs press
ieata
International Expressive Arts Therapy Training Network

ANNOUNCING!

Expressive Arts  Coaching Certificate

Our first new education and training program in 20 years.  This 12 course program consists of weekend meetings (online for now) and a seven day in-person summer program.  It covers the intermodal decentering methods and coaching specific courses.  Supervision every month.  Qualifies the student to apply for the REACE (registered expressive arts coach/educator) with IEATA (international expressive arts therapy association). (CDC guidelines followed)

Diversity Matters

For over twenty years, the Expressive Arts Institute has offered education and training from our home in San Diego, CA across the diverse communities of San Diego county, the United States, and the world. Our mission is quite simply to spread the word about Expressive Arts  as broadly as possible, to raise awareness of theory-based helping arts to transform individuals and communities. We believe that arts based change within a community only proceeds naturally through initiatives generated by members of that community. In service of this ideal, the institute invites a student body that is diverse in terms of race/ ethnicity, gender/sexual orientation, nationality, etc.  We are looking for students who want to be part of the solution to the difficulties of the world and in their own communities. Our  professional education and training will give you the tools to be more effective in the work you want to do in the world. Join our international community of artist helpers/healers, and add your own unique vision into our rich tapestry of helping, healing and educating  through the arts.
expressive arts therapy training

Tara Gravis

"As a lifelong learner and dedicated volunteer involved in arts and education I approached the E.A.I. introductory class with curiosity and some trepidation. A few prior E.A.I. graduates were in my circle and I highly admired them all, but didn’t really imagine taking on such a large commitment or inspiring to make such a shift in my career path or life direction. I was awestruck by the end of the weekend. Having never so clearly before been exactly where I should be. My overwhelming feeling was “this is who I am, this is what I do.” I haven’t looked back and am on the most fantastic journey of my life."

Tara Gravis, Graduate

diversity

Zamira Pla

"When I attended the Intro Course, I said to myself, “this is what I have been looking for… for so long.” Before the weekend was over, I was already planning the next two years and what I would do to be in this beautiful place. So, yes! Of course the introductory course changed my life, without a doubt! It was the beginning of another era, another way of feeling and seeing the world around and inside me."

Zamira Pla,

expressive arts acting

Amy Shamansky

Judith is the most gifted facilitator I have ever encountered. Her complete embodiment and use of the arts in healing brings amazing results. A whole new world opened up to me after being guided by her expertise and heart-warming sensitivity to the human condition. Whether she is hired as a private therapist, speaker, or teacher, I believe she is worth more than money could ever buy.”

Amy Shamansky,

expressive arts therapy programs

Anita Carter

“Dr. Judith Greer Essex, director of the Expressive Arts Institute, provides an exemplary education for those seeking a healing profession through the arts. Her knowledge of the philosophy and practice of expressive arts is articulated with intelligence, compassion, and delightful humor. As a student, I was encouraged and supported throughout the program with great insight and honesty. Dr. Essex is truly a wise woman who knows how the arts can help us find our way. I fully recommend Dr. Essex and the Expressive Arts Institute for education and training in expressive arts.”

Anita Carter,

expressive arts institute t-shirt

Victoria Garcia

“I have known Judith, who I call Greer, for over 35 years. We met when we worked together at the first domestic violence shelter in San Diego. Without at doubt, she is one of the smartest women I know, and she is my go-to person whenever I need insightful, wise advice. Greer has built her school and career from the ground up with dedication to cutting edge creativity and academic grounding. You will benefit greatly from working with her, I guarantee it.”

Victoria Garcia,

expressive arts dressup

Marissa McInerney

“You have prepared us so well, thank you. All the vocabulary for us makes total sense- some folks have not a clue what the professors are saying. We do 🙂 Thank you, thank you. This experience has been exciting, motivating and extraordinary so far. And it’s really only just begun. I wanted to send my thanks to our Momma EXA bear ♥”

Marissa McInerney, Student

expressive arts dance

Jose Roberto Nascimento

“Greer is a raw driving force beneath and within. The depth of her blue eyes, and the magnetic smile, is a pure invitation to try…, experiment…, or just to stay still. I always enjoyed when the existence connects us. It is an experience to take with me anywhere I might go.”

Jose Roberto Nascimento,

expressive arts therapy courses

Sharon Goodlove

"Oh, how marvelous to be led in creative expression — especially when technology and its offspring run amuck around us, especially when Judith is role modeling, teaching, leading, gamboling with Light and Love."

Sharon Goodlove, Goodlove Counseling

expressive arts therapy workshop

Michelle Josey

"Dr. Essex is a professor and mentor I’m fortunate to have. Her expertise in facilitating a learning environment that allows experience, open-ended growth of trust and competency on both the individual and group levels is uniform. She has taught me to stretch the boundary of current ideas and relations in the modern world, encouraged individual creativity and thought."

Michelle Josey, Expressive Arts Intern & ESL Instructor

Your professional education in expressive arts therapy begins here!



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