Applications open for 2025/2026
We are accepting applications for the academic year 2025 / 2026. To apply, please send an e-mail to secretariat.accpi@gmail.com or call 0040744333362.
Course philosophy
Expressive psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative and artistic expression as a primary means of communication and exploration of an individual’s psychological, emotional, and interpersonal issues. This form of psychotherapy recognizes the power of creative expression in healing and personal development.
Here are some characteristics of expressive psychotherapy:
Using the arts as a means of expression: Expressive psychotherapy uses various art forms such as drawing, painting, sculpture, theatre, dance, music and creative writing to enable the individual to express their thoughts, emotions and inner feelings.
Emphasis on the creative process: In expressive psychotherapy, the focus is on the creative process itself rather than the end result. How the individual engages in the process and how they express and explore their inner feelings is more important than the quality or final appearance of the work.
Symbolic and unconscious exploration: Artistic expression can allow access to aspects of inner experience that may be difficult to express verbally or that may be unconsciously repressed. Through symbols and metaphors, the individual can explore and process deep emotional contents and inner conflicts.
Integrating body and mind: Expressive psychotherapy often integrates bodily and emotional aspects, allowing the individual to explore the connection between body and mind. For example, through movement and dance, the individual can explore and release emotions and tensions built up in the body.
Promoting self-discovery and self-knowledge: Through artistic expression, the individual can better discover and understand their inner self, their relationships with others and how they relate to the world around. Expressive psychotherapy can facilitate the process of self-knowledge and personal transformation.
Adaptability and flexibility: Expressive psychotherapy can be tailored to the needs and preferences of the individual, allowing them to choose and explore different forms of artistic expression depending on what they feel is most appropriate for them at any given time.
Expressive psychotherapy can be effective in treating a wide range of psychological and emotional problems, including depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, relationship problems, and difficulties managing emotions. It is important that the psychotherapist is well trained and experienced in the use of expressive psychotherapy techniques and interventions to ensure an effective and safe psychotherapeutic process.
The training curricula in integrative expressive psychotherapy
Basic training takes place in the first three years of training in integrative expressive psychotherapy. It includes a theoretical and a practical component. The training modules have a duration of 20 hours, out of which about 4 hours of theory, 11-12 hours of practical applications and 5 hours of individual work. In basic training students acquire abilities and knowledge necessary for the application of various interventions and work techniques with the client / patient. The practical component of the training is especially important in this context – we cannot learn psychotherapy from books alone. The basic training in psychotherapy, taught in English, can take place online or live, depending on your option. Basic training includes 20 training modules, detailed here: basic training
The advanced training programme
The advanced training in integrative expressive psychotherapy takes place in the 4th and 5th year of training and includes techniques, interventions and conceptual case models for the main diagnostic categories in the DSM 5. The training modules have a duration of 20 hours, out of which about 4 hours of theory, 11-12 hours of practical applications and 5 hours of individual work. Advanced training familiarizes the beginner psychotherapist with diagnostic and treatment plans, mainly the development of treatment plans and the choice of adequate interventions, depending on the client / patient individuality. The advanced training in psychotherapy, taught in English, can take place online or live, depending on your option. Advanced training includes 10 training modules, detailed here: advanced training
Group personal development
Personal development is one of the fundamental components of the training in integrative expressive psychotherapy. Research shows that the level of the psychotherapist’s personal development is directly linked to psychotherapy efficiency. If we don’t know ourselves well enough, or the psychological problems we have are not sufficiently tackled, we will not be able to avoid projecting onto the client / patient our own emotions and personal way of thinking. Active and empathic listening and clarifying the patient’s problems without significant counter-transferential obstacles is the beginner psychotherapist’s greatest task.
To become an integrative expressive psychotherapist, you need at least 25 hours of individual therapy, with a psychotherapist of your choice, and 12 modules of group personal development / therapy.
Supervision takes place in the 4th and 5th year of training and has the purpose of supporting the beginner psychotherapist in working with clients / patients. When we begin our career in psychotherapy, there are still many things unknown and many uncertainties. We need more experienced colleagues to guide us when we are stuck, and we need support with our anxieties when we are not sure we do well what we do.
Group supervision modules have a 15-hour duration, and they are online. If you need additional individual supervision, you can ask any of our supervisors.
During the supervision period, you will work with your clients / patients, in your private practice or in an institution. To graduate and finalize supervision you need to work with clients / patients for at least 300 hours, and have supervision protocols for at least 10 supervised cases, from various pathologies.
You can read more about supervision here: Supervision
Intervision / peer supervision
Intervision is organized monthly, online, an dis free of charge for ACCPI members. Intervision sessions are of 3-4 hours. Intervision helps in emergency situations or in situations in which you need some quick advice or a short answer. Intervision cannot replace supervision, but can be an additional resource for our students.
Intervision meetings are announced monthly on our Whatsapp group.
Exams
You will have both theoretical and practical examinations. Theoretical examinations are wither oral (online) or written (live). You will have examinations at the end of the 1st, 3rd and 5th year. You need to write at least 4 essays and book reviews, 10 case protocols and two dissertation papers: at the end of the 3rd and 5th year of training.
Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy
Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that combines elements of expressive psychotherapy with integrative psychotherapy theory, along with principles and techniques from other therapy modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, gestalt therapy, art therapy, dance-movement therapy, and others. This approach aims to provide a broad and flexible therapeutic framework that adapts to the needs and preferences of the individual.
Here are some characteristics of integrative expressive psychotherapy:
Using artistic expression in the context of a wider therapeutic approach: Integrative expressive psychotherapy uses artistic expression, such as visual art, dance, music, theater or creative writing, as a means of exploring and expressing the individual’s inner emotions, thoughts and experiences, within a broader and more integrated therapeutic approach.
Integrated exploration of cognitive, emotional, bodily and interpersonal aspects: This integrative psychotherapeutic approach recognizes the complex interconnections between different aspects of human experience and aims to address these aspects in an integrated and holistic manner. Thus, psychotherapy can include the exploration of cognitive and emotional aspects as well as bodily and interpersonal aspects, using artistic expression as a way to integrate and access these aspects.
Flexibility and adaptability: Integrative expressive psychotherapy is characterized by flexibility and adaptability according to the needs, preferences and resources of the individual. The psychotherapist can integrate different techniques and therapeutic interventions depending on what is most suitable for each person at a certain point in the therapeutic process.
Exploration of depth and multiple meanings: Through artistic expression and the integrated exploration of various aspects of human experience, the individual has the opportunity to explore the depth and complexity of their own experience and discover new and profound meanings in what they experience.
Promoting personal transformation and healing: The aim of integrative expressive psychotherapy is to facilitate the process of personal transformation and healing of the individual by promoting self-awareness, understanding and acceptance, as well as the development of healthy ways of coping and relating to oneself, life and the world around.
Branches of expressive psychotherapy
Expressive psychotherapy is a vast field that encompasses several sub-branches or modalities of practice, each with their own techniques and principles. Here are some of the sub-branches of expressive psychotherapy:
Art therapy: Art therapy is one of the most well-known and widely used sub-branches of expressive psychotherapy. In art therapy, the individual uses different forms of art, such as drawing, painting, sculpture or collage, to explore and communicate inner feelings and personal experiences. The art therapist guides the individual in the creative process and supports them in discovering and understanding the meaning of his artistic works.
Music therapy: Music therapy involves the use of music and sound in the therapeutic process to facilitate the expression of emotions, relaxation, stimulation of creativity and the development of the therapeutic relationship. Music therapists may use different techniques, such as musical improvisation, active listening to music, or composing and recording musical pieces, depending on the needs and preferences of the individual.
Dramatherapy: Dramatherapy uses theatre, role play and other dramatic techniques to enable the individual to explore and communicate personal feelings and experiences. In drama therapy, the individual may act out roles, create scenarios, or use other dramatic means to express and process their emotions and inner conflicts.
Therapeutic dance and movement: This sub-branch of expressive psychotherapy involves the use of movement and dance as part of the therapeutic process to facilitate the expression of emotions, the release of body tensions and the exploration of the relationship between body and mind. Therapeutic dance and movement can be used freely or structured, according to the therapeutic goals and preferences of the individual.
Therapeutic creative writing: Therapeutic creative writing involves using creative writing, such as poetry, prose or journaling, to explore and communicate personal feelings and experiences. This form of therapy provides the individual with a safe and free space to express their thoughts, emotions and imagination in a creative and constructive way.
The effectiveness of integrative expressive psychotherapy
Integrative expressive psychotherapy can be effective in the treatment of various categories of clients because it offers an alternative modality to approach and treat psychological, emotional and interpersonal problems. The effectiveness of integrative expressive psychotherapy can vary depending on factors such as the type of problem being treated, the motivation and involvement of the client, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, and the experience of the therapist. Below are some examples of the effectiveness of integrative expressive psychotherapy for various categories of clients:
Children and Adolescents: Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy is often effective in treating emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. Through creative and artistic activities, such as drawing, painting, role playing or dancing, they can express and explore their inner feelings in a non-verbal and less threatening way.
People with anxiety and depression disorders: Integrative expressive psychotherapy can help people with anxiety and depression disorders express and explore their emotions and thoughts in a creative and free way. Artistic activities and creativity can help reduce stress and anxiety, release negative emotions and improve mood.
Trauma Survivors: Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy can be effective in treating people who have survived trauma or abuse. Through creative expression, they can process and integrate their trauma experiences and rebuild trust in themselves and others.
People with eating disorders: Integrative expressive psychotherapy can be helpful in treating people with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Through art and creative expression, they can explore and express their complex relationship with food and their own bodies.
People experiencing occupational stress and burnout: Integrative expressive psychotherapy can be effective in treating individuals experiencing occupational stress and burnout. Creative and artistic activities can provide a way to relax and release built-up tension, as well as rediscover personal passions and interests.
Elderly: Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for the elderly, giving them a way to express and explore their feelings and experiences in a non-verbal and less threatening way. Artistic and creative activities can help maintain mental health and improve quality of life as we age.
These are just a few examples of client categories for whom integrative expressive psychotherapy can be effective. It is important to emphasize that the effectiveness of integrative expressive psychotherapy may vary depending on the individual needs and preferences of each client, as well as the psychotherapist’s ability to integrate and adapt different techniques and interventions within the treatment.