Your professional education in expressive arts  therapy begins here.

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Expressive Arts Therapy

Healing

Judith Greer Essex, Ph.D., REAT, Expressive Arts Therapist

judith greer essex

The Dancer and Actress that Became a Therapist

55 years ago, I pursued the life of an artist because it seemed to me, as an idealistic teen,  that the arts and art-makers had something I wanted: a clear-eyed view of life and humanity. A view that retained beauty, truth and engaged in questions both soulful and open-ended.  Although my worldview has deepened and become immensely more complex, I still believe the arts offer unique gifts to understanding our common humanity.

40 years ago, I completed my first masters, in dance therapy, helping to deepen my understanding, and share the powerful gift of the arts with others in need of help navigating the complexities of modern life. I went on to take a second master’s in Marriage Family Therapy, and eventually a Ph.D. in Expressive Arts Therapy, all working towards the same lasting goal. To help through the arts, to relieve suffering, to encourage growth and creativity, to help others find solace in the arts, and the strength to create and manage change in their own lives.

Want to learn more about becoming an Expressive Arts Therapist?

Healing

Judith Greer Essex, Ph.D., REAT, Expressive Arts Therapist

judith greer essex

The Dancer and Actress that Became a Therapist

55 years ago, I pursued the life of an artist because it seemed to me, as an idealistic teen,  that the arts and art-makers had something I wanted: a clear-eyed view of life and humanity. A view that retained beauty, truth and engaged in questions both soulful and open-ended.  Although my worldview has deepened and become immensely more complex, I still believe the arts offer unique gifts to understanding our common humanity.

40 years ago, I completed my first masters, in dance therapy, helping to deepen my understanding, and share the powerful gift of the arts with others in need of help navigating the complexities of modern life. I went on to take a second master’s in Marriage Family Therapy, and eventually a Ph.D. in Expressive Arts Therapy, all working towards the same lasting goal. To help through the arts, to relieve suffering, to encourage growth and creativity, to help others find solace in the arts, and the strength to create and manage change in their own lives.

Want to learn more about becoming an Expressive Arts Therapist?

As an artist, I work in a studio, rather than an office, so you can move, breathe, make noise, paint, draw, make a mess, and use the ten thousand languages of the creative body to craft your own life worth living.

With over 40 years experience, I have had an opportunity to work with people with many differing challenges, and in many different populations, and can help with the arts in ways that are appropriate to the skill level, abilities and developmental stages. That said, I have areas of specialization which I find called to again and again. Among them are:

  • Major life transitions: college, divorce, re-marriage, career change, geographic relocation.
  • Depression and anxiety.
  • Eating disorders: including anorexia, binge eating and body image problems in adolescents and adults.
  • LGBTQ youth questioning and adjustment issues.
  • PTSD/ Trauma.
  • Grief, loss and bereavement.
  • Immigration isolation and adjustment.
  • Adoption and stepfamily issues.
  • Drug and alcohol recovery.
  • Chronic pain and chronic illness.

I hold a Ph.D. from the European Graduate School. I have a license in Marriage and Family Therapy, and an a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. In addition to teaching both in San Diego and Internationally, I provide supervision for Expressive Arts Therapists in Training.

expressive arts threrapist judith greer essex
expressive arts therapy
expressive arts diploma

Through the arts, I can help you understand your situation, help support you to make changes, help you hold your feelings, & shape a life that fits you.

As an artist, I work in a studio, rather than an office, so you can move, breathe, make noise, paint, draw, make a mess, and use the ten thousand languages of the creative body to craft your own life worth living.

With over 40 years experience, I have had an opportunity to work with people with many differing challenges, and in many different populations, and can help with the arts in ways that are appropriate to the skill level, abilities and developmental stages. That said, I have areas of specialization which I find called to again and again. Among them are:

  • Major life transitions: college, divorce, re-marriage, career change, geographic relocation.
  • Depression and anxiety.
  • Eating disorders: including anorexia, binge eating and body image problems in adolescents and adults.
  • LGBTQ youth questioning and adjustment issues.
  • PTSD/ Trauma.
  • Grief, loss and bereavement.
  • Immigration isolation and adjustment.
  • Adoption and stepfamily issues.
  • Drug and alcohol recovery.
  • Chronic pain and chronic illness.

I hold a Ph.D. from the European Graduate School. I have a license in Marriage and Family Therapy, and an a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. In addition to teaching both in San Diego and Internationally, I provide supervision for Expressive Arts Therapists in Training.

expressive arts threrapist judith greer essex
expressive arts therapy
expressive arts diploma

Through the arts, I can help you understand your situation, help support you to make changes, help you hold your feelings, & shape a life that fits you.

expressive arts therapist san diego

I am a champion for women, their relationships, their families, & work with parents & children from adolescence on up.

Contact Us

expressive arts therapist san diego

I am a champion for women, their relationships, their families, & work with parents & children from adolescence on up.

Contact Us

expressive arts therapy training

Tara Graviss White

"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 Graviss White, 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