This Diploma in Expressive Arts programme is aimed at professionals who wish to enhance their current practice in the use of expressive arts, or those who wish to integrate the academic and practical applications of the creative process into their therapeutic work with people.

The programme is experiential in nature and the focus is on personal exploration using expressive arts techniques. Each weekend will involve experiential learning, working in a phenomenological intermodal approach, as well as learning about Expressive Arts theory, philosophy and terminology. Learners will be able to reflect on personal processes and how they are transferred to practice.

Admission Criteria:

This programme is aimed at participants who have already completed a relevant professional/academic qualification in a helping/caring area.

To secure a place, please complete the application form and forward with a (non-refundable) deposit of €350 to [email protected].

Applicants must include a letter of introduction of no less than 250 words, clearly stating their desire to participate in this programme, and what they hope to achieve through its completion.

Applicants entitled to a full refund of this deposit if they decide to cancel within 7 days of receipt of their application. Should an application be unsuccessful or cancelled by the applicant following this 7-day period, an administration fee of €100 is retained, and the balance of €250 is refunded to the applicant.

When an applicant accepts a place on an ICPPD programme, any fees paid become subject to ICPPD’s Financial Terms & Conditions, which are outlined in the ICPPD’s Quality Assurance policies in relation to refunds, payment plan, etc.

Programme Aims:

The aim of this programme is to provide participants with the ability to:

• deepen their understanding of the various expressive arts approaches and to develop their own emerging expressive arts style and approach.
• integrate clinical and expressive arts therapy theory and practice and combine and integrate the academic and practical applications of the creative process.
• learn about their own creative processes and deepen their spiritual practice through the expressive arts.
• demonstrate the supportive role of non-verbal approaches to therapeutic approaches that rely predominantly on verbal modes of expression and understanding.

PLEASE NOTE: This programme does not lead to a professional qualification to work in Art Therapy.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this programme the learner will be able to:

• think critically, theoretically and concretely about expressive arts therapeutic approaches.
• engage clients in the healing process through the therapeutic use of expressive arts
• implement the creative arts to facilitate spiritual growth and expand consciousness, including the therapeutic use of ritual.
• appraise the weaving together of different expressive arts modalities to support a holistic therapeutic approach.
• illustrate how expressive arts lends itself to the therapeutic use of rituals
• evaluate the role of the therapist in working with The Expressive Arts
• differentiate between approaches that over-emphasise searching for meaning and those approaches that support and facilitate deeper understanding through personal exploration
• focus on recent and contemporary developments in Expressive Arts Theory and Theories that underpin the Expressive Arts in therapy

Learning & Teaching Strategies:

Participants will integrate their learning through individual and group process of expressive arts, discussion and readings. Expressive arts approaches will be demonstrated compared and contrasted.

A combination of experiential learning, strong academic curriculum and artistic practice underpins this holistic programme.

Learners must meet the attendance requirement of minimum 85%.

Assessment Strategies:

Assessment for this programme will be through:

• A written assignment of 3,000 words.
• Generation of a creative portfolio
• Learners will keep a Journal throughout the programme for their own personal use and as a reference for assignments.

Academic Resources

ICPPD uses Moodle, a virtual learning environment (VLE), to disseminate class material and share course-related resources, as well as news, assignment details, discussion fora, etc.

The College also provides access to EBSCO e-Library, e-Journal and other resources through Moodle. These resources facilitate the support of learners at outreach centres, and through out-of-hours times.

Academic Writing Workshops

• Academic Writing Workshops are provided free of charge at the commencement of the Academic Year covering areas including Academic Writing Conventions, Critical Thinking, Formatting and Presentation, Referencing, USE of Moodle and Library facilities.