News from the Expressive Therapies Institute of Australia  

 The Expressive Therapies (ET) modalities are a blend of experiential personal growth (developmental) and counselling (therapeutic) methods developed in Australia by Mark Pearson and Helen Wilson and others since 1987, which support the emotional healing of adults, adolescents and children. 

Formerly called Emotional Release Counselling, ET includes a range of approaches that explore the hidden causes behind many of the conflicts in life. Through the inner-life skills ET helps clients access a wider range of intrapersonal skills and resources.
 
These approaches cooperate with the natural movement within the psyche towards wholeness - the process Jung called 'individuation'. ET uses a number of modalities that help bring awareness to, and release of, the emotional causes of present problems. Once clients become less emotionally charged, they can be supported to recognise creative strategies for developing healthy life skills for more effective interaction.
 
The modalities include: Sandplay Therapy, Symbol Work, Dreamwork, Use of Expressive Art, Mandala Artwork, Emotional Integration Processes, Emotional Literacy Activities,  Bioenergetics, Movement and Dance, Body Focus, Visualisation, Expressive Writing: process, reflective and completion.
 
ET is an invitational, self-discovery approach, encouraging insights and change from within the client.
 
The methods and attitudes are client-centred recognition and value is given to the significance of the client's personal interpretations and meanings. The processes have been developed from an expanded understanding of the psyche, with an evolving research base, founded on the tradition of creative arts therapies and particularly Jungian, Gestalt, Transpersonal and Constructivist Psychology.
 
Through these methods we can reconnect to our positive emotions and can help others do the same. The processes have been developed from an expanded understanding of the human psyche that is in tune with modern day research as well as traditional counselling and spiritual systems.
 
The frameworks, research and methods have been developed from the work of C. G. Jung (The Journey of Individuation), Dora Kalff (Sandplay), Christina and Stanislav Grof (Transpersonal Psychology), Eva Pierrakos (Inner child and Relationship Frameworks), Fritz Perls (Dreamwork and Gestalt approach to symbol work), Wilhelm Reich (Emotional Release and Bioenergy), Leslie Greenberg (Emotion-focused Therapy) and many others.
 
RESEARCH
 
Mark's research on the effectiveness of ET in school settings, found that, in the opinion of guidance officers and school counsellors, who have completed the Certificate training course, ET is highly effective. Research published in the Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 2003, Vol 13. No. 2, pp. 205 -224. Please contact us if you would like a copy of Mark's research.
 
Art and music in therapy, the use of writing, narratives and emotionally focussed methods, and expressive therapies generally have extensive documentation and research

One Day Introductory Workshops are available in Cairns in 2010!

- Symbol Work - Communication, Expression, Resolution Projective Activities with Miniatures to be held at Birdwing Therapies on 16 July 2010

- Grief, Loss & Separation Emotion-focussed Approaches to Counselling Young Clients to be held at Birdwing Therapies on 20 August 2010.

- Expressive Therapies with Troubled & Traumatised Young Clients to be held at Birdwing Therapies on 12 November 2010.

Fees for the One Day Introductory Workshops are $235 inc GST.

Certificate in Expressive Therapies with Children and Adolescents. Somatic Focussed, Creative Counselling for Emotional Integration 

Certificate in Expressive Therapies 2011 - Cairns

Workshop 1 Febuary 10-12

Workshop 2 March 17-19

Workshop 3 June 16-18

Workshop 4 August 18-20

Workshop 5 October 20-22

Fees are $795 per three day module.

For further information about Expressive Therapies Certificate courses at Sunshine Coast, Phillip Island and Kuala Lumpur please go to:  www.expressivetherapies.com.au.