Applications are now open for the 2026 / 2027 academic year.
Course Philosophy
Expressive psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that utilizes creative and artistic expression as a primary method for exploring and addressing psychological, emotional, and interpersonal challenges. This approach recognizes the transformative power of creativity in both healing and personal development.
Key Characteristics of Expressive Psychotherapy
Use of the Arts for Expression: Various art forms, including drawing, painting, sculpture, theater, dance, music, and creative writing, are employed to help individuals externalize emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
Focus on the Creative Process: The emphasis is on the act of creation itself, rather than the final product. The way a person engages in artistic expression is more important than the quality of the work produced.
Symbolic and Unconscious Exploration: Art provides access to deep emotional content and unconscious material, allowing individuals to process emotions and conflicts through symbols and metaphors.
Integration of Mind and Body: Through movement, dance, and other expressive forms, individuals can explore the connection between bodily sensations, emotions, and cognition, facilitating emotional release and self-awareness.
Self-Discovery and Personal Growth: By engaging in creative expression, individuals gain insight into themselves, their relationships, and their perception of the world, fostering self-knowledge and transformation.
Adaptability and Flexibility: Expressive psychotherapy is highly individualized, allowing clients to explore various artistic forms depending on their preferences, emotional state, and therapeutic needs.
Applications of Expressive Psychotherapy
Expressive psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in addressing a variety of psychological and emotional concerns, including: Depression and anxiety; Trauma and PTSD; Eating disorders; Relationship difficulties; Emotional regulation challenges.
To ensure a safe and effective therapeutic process, it is essential that psychotherapists receive proper training in the principles and techniques of expressive psychotherapy.
Training Curriculum in Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy
Basic training spans the first three years of the integrative expressive psychotherapy program, incorporating both theoretical and practical components.
Each training module lasts 20 hours, consisting of:
4 hours of theoretical instruction
11-12 hours of practical application
5 hours of individual work
Students acquire essential skills and knowledge for implementing therapeutic interventions and expressive techniques with clients. The practical component is especially crucial, as psychotherapy cannot be learned solely through theory.
The basic training program, conducted in English, is available in a hybrid format.
Basic training consists of 20 modules, detailed here: Basic Training
The advanced training in integrative expressive psychotherapy takes place during the 4th and 5th years and focuses on:
Advanced techniques and interventions
Conceptual case models
DSM-5 diagnostic categories
Each training module lasts 20 hours, including:
4 hours of theoretical study
11-12 hours of practical applications
5 hours of individual work
At this stage, beginner psychotherapists gain expertise in diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention selection, ensuring that therapy is tailored to the client’s individual needs.
The advanced training, conducted in English, is available in a hybrid format.
Advanced training consists of 10 modules, detailed here: Advanced Training
Group Personal Development
Personal development is a core component of training in integrative expressive psychotherapy. Research confirms that a psychotherapist’s level of self-development directly impacts psychotherapy effectiveness.
Without deep self-awareness and personal emotional processing, therapists risk projecting their own emotions and thoughts onto their clients. Learning to actively and empathetically listen, while avoiding countertransferential interference, is one of the greatest challenges for beginner psychotherapists.
To qualify as an integrative expressive psychotherapist, trainees must complete:
At least 25 hours of individual therapy with a psychotherapist of their choice
12 modules of group personal development or therapy
Supervision provides essential support for beginner psychotherapists as they transition into working with clients. The complexities and uncertainties of therapeutic practice require guidance from experienced professionals.
Supervision Structure
Group supervision modules last 15 hours and are conducted online
Individual supervision is available upon request
Supervision Requirements for Graduation
To complete the supervision process, trainees must:
Work with clients in private practice or institutional settings
Accumulate a minimum of 300 client contact hours
Submit supervision protocols for at least 10 supervised cases across various pathologies
More details are available here: Supervision
Intervision / Peer Supervision
Intervision (peer supervision) is held monthly, conducted online, and is free for ACCPI members. Each session lasts 3-4 hours and is designed to:
Address urgent client situations
Provide quick consultation and advice
While intervision does not replace formal supervision, it serves as an additional resource for trainees.
Intervision schedules are announced monthly via our WhatsApp group.
Examinations & Academic Requirements
Trainees must complete both theoretical and practical exams at specific milestones in their training.
Exam Format
Theoretical exams:
Oral (online format)
Written (in-person format)
Examinations occur at the end of:
1st year
3rd year
5th year
Academic Requirements
In addition to exams, trainees must submit:
At least 4 essays and book reviews
10 case protocols
Two dissertation papers (at the end of the 3rd and 5th years)
Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy
Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that merges principles from expressive psychotherapy and integrative psychotherapy theory, incorporating techniques from multiple modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Gestalt therapy, art therapy, dance-movement therapy, and more. This flexible and dynamic framework is designed to adapt to the unique needs, preferences, and therapeutic goals of each individual.
Key Features of Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy
Artistic Expression as a Therapeutic Tool: This approach utilizes visual art, music, dance, theater, and creative writing as powerful means of exploring and expressing emotions, thoughts, and experiences within a broader therapeutic context.
Integration of Cognitive, Emotional, Somatic, and Interpersonal Aspects: Recognizing the complex interplay between cognition, emotion, bodily sensations, and relationships, this therapy seeks to address these dimensions in a holistic and integrated manner.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Sessions are tailored to each client, allowing the therapist to incorporate varied techniques and interventions based on individual needs and readiness at any stage of therapy.
Depth and Multi-Layered Exploration: Through symbolic expression, metaphor, and creativity, clients can uncover deeper layers of their experiences and develop new perspectives and insights into their personal journey.
Facilitating Personal Growth and Healing: The overarching goal is to support self-awareness, self-acceptance, and emotional healing, while equipping clients with healthy coping mechanisms and ways of relating to themselves and the world.
Branches of Expressive Psychotherapy
Expressive psychotherapy is a broad field that encompasses several specialized modalities, each employing unique techniques to facilitate emotional expression and psychological healing.
1. Art Therapy
One of the most well-known forms of expressive psychotherapy, art therapy uses drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage to help individuals externalize emotions, process inner conflicts, and gain insight into their thoughts and experiences. The art therapist guides the creative process and supports clients in interpreting their artistic expressions.
2. Music Therapy
This modality involves the use of music and sound as therapeutic tools for:
Emotional expression and regulation
Creative stimulation
Relaxation and stress reduction
Strengthening interpersonal connections
Techniques may include musical improvisation, active listening, and songwriting, depending on the client’s needs and preferences.
3. Dramatherapy
Dramatherapy incorporates theater, storytelling, role-playing, and improvisation to help individuals explore their emotions, relationships, and inner conflicts in a safe and creative way. Through acting out scenarios and engaging in symbolic play, clients can gain insight, develop coping strategies, and process unresolved experiences.
4. Dance-Movement Therapy
By using body movement and dance, this approach facilitates:
Emotional release
Mind-body awareness
Stress reduction
Exploration of self-expression through physical movement
Sessions can be freeform or structured, depending on therapeutic objectives and client comfort.
5. Therapeutic Creative Writing
Through poetry, journaling, and storytelling, clients can express and process their emotions in a structured yet deeply personal way. Writing therapy allows for:
Self-reflection and exploration of personal narratives
Symbolic and metaphorical processing of difficult experiences
Developing new perspectives on challenges
Effectiveness of Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy
This multifaceted approach has proven effective across a variety of client populations and psychological concerns.
1. Children and Adolescents
Expressive psychotherapy is particularly valuable for children, as it provides non-verbal and engaging ways to:
Express emotions safely
Process behavioral and emotional challenges
Develop communication and coping skills
Activities such as drawing, role-playing, and movement-based interventions help young clients process emotions in a developmentally appropriate manner.
2. Individuals with Anxiety and Depression
For those struggling with anxiety and depression, expressive psychotherapy provides a structured yet flexible space to:
Process distressing emotions through creative outlets
Reduce stress and build emotional resilience
Reframe negative thought patterns
Engaging in artistic activities has been shown to enhance mood and emotional regulation.
3. Trauma Survivors
For individuals recovering from trauma or abuse, expressive arts therapies provide a safe, indirect way to process painful experiences.
Symbolic storytelling, movement, and art-making help clients work through trauma-related emotions without the need for immediate verbalization.
Over time, creative exploration fosters emotional integration, resilience, and post-traumatic growth.
4. Individuals with Eating Disorders
Expressive psychotherapy is useful in treating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, as it provides a non-judgmental space to:
Explore complex emotions surrounding food and body image
Develop healthier coping mechanisms
Increase self-compassion and emotional awareness
5. Professionals Experiencing Burnout & Workplace Stress
For those experiencing occupational stress and burnout, expressive psychotherapy offers:
A creative outlet for emotional release
Stress management techniques
Opportunities to reconnect with personal interests and passions
6. Older Adults
Among the elderly, expressive therapy enhances well-being by:
Providing meaningful self-expression
Enhancing cognitive and emotional health
Encouraging connection and social engagement
Artistic activities such as painting, music, and writing offer older adults a means to explore life experiences, memories, and emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
Conclusion
Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy is a dynamic, creative, and holistic approach to emotional healing and psychological growth. By combining artistic expression with evidence-based psychotherapy techniques, this model offers a flexible and individualized path to self-discovery and emotional well-being.
Its effectiveness spans various populations and psychological challenges, making it a valuable therapeutic tool for:
Children and adolescents
Individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma
People with eating disorders
Professionals experiencing workplace stress
Older adults seeking meaningful self-expression
Because each client’s needs are unique, the therapist’s ability to integrate and adapt interventions plays a crucial role in therapy success.
By fostering self-awareness, emotional resilience, and creative exploration, Integrative Expressive Psychotherapy offers individuals a transformative pathway toward healing and personal growth.