This course is designed to educate students on the art therapy ethical elements that combine to form the basis of the practicing art therapist’s values and beliefs. Students will gain a thorough knowledge of the CATA code of Ethics, evaluate the ethical dilemmas and make clinical decisions based on art therapy ethical principles and legal requirements.

Through a series of case studies, readings, videos, discussion and assignments this course examines the relationship between art, pathology, creativity and healing. The intent of the course is to provide the student with the opportunity to develop their concept of the progression and application of Art Therapy with various client populations Students will also learn how to use art therapy with clients experiencing symptoms of the major diagnostic categories described in the DSM 5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fifth Edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association) and what treatment goals, and interventions are effective.

This course is an experiential and didactic introduction to the use of Art Therapy with children. Students will have the opportunity to examine concepts from theories of infant, child and adolescent mental health and development and how these relate to Art Therapy assessment, diagnosis and intervention.

This online experiential and theoretical course is an introduction to the use of art therapy with families. Included will be a review of the philosophy and epistemology of family therapy, and systemic thinking and attachment theory.  The course will explore various applications to family art therapy and family trauma, addressing family roles and hierarchies, strategic theory, re-framing, and role-playing.  Several assessment procedures will be presented. We also investigate the complexities of culture in families and groups, and how this impacts the therapeutic relationship. We teach and practice interventions for families with challenges, and families in crisis, including couples and non-traditional families.

As the foundation for practicum training, these courses are experientially based and grounded in a theoretical framework. It will give students the opportunity to actively explore their own reflective, art-therapy process, and to integrate this experiential process into currently used conceptual frameworks for clinical practice. Classes will focus on inner and interpersonal art process through instructor-led art making, small group debriefing sessions and class discussions dealing with theory, technique and clinical practice. *This is not a therapy group, although art-making can and will bring up resolved and unresolved issues that the student may or may not want to share with the group.  It is highly recommended that Art Therapy students seek out personal therapy with an Art Therapist if possible.

As the foundation for practicum training, these courses are experientially based and grounded in a theoretical framework. It will give students the opportunity to actively explore their own reflective, art-therapy process, and to integrate this experiential process into currently used conceptual frameworks for clinical practice. Classes will focus on inner and interpersonal art process through instructor-led art making, small group debriefing sessions and class discussions dealing with theory, technique and clinical practice. *This is not a therapy group, although art-making can and will bring up resolved and unresolved issues that the student may or may not want to share with the group.  It is highly recommended that Art Therapy students seek out personal therapy with an Art Therapist if possible.

This studio focuses on art therapy with groups-both closed-ended and open-ended, and open studio formats. Students will have an opportunity to create art and to practice the role of the art therapist in dyads and small groups. *This is not a therapy group, although art-making can and will bring up resolved and unresolved issues that the student may or may not want to share with the group.  It is highly recommended that Art Therapy students seek personal therapy with an Art Therapist if possible.

This course, for Post BA Students only, explores advanced qualitative arts- based research approaches. This course orients students to a deeper understanding of research methodology and how to apply it specifically to their thesis question. It will also look at the construction of a literature review. There will be a focus on critical thinking and further developing their skills in presenting case studies as a research method.

(Post BA only) Thesis: The student may write an extensive research paper based on a hypothesis related to an area of study in Art Therapy OR the student may create an Arts-Based Research project with extensive research findings in Art Therapy. *After the acceptance of the proposal and signing of the Thesis contract, the student has 10 months to complete the Thesis or project.

CATA and CiiAT require supervision hours at a ratio of one hour individual supervision for every ten hours of client contact and two hours group supervision for every ten hours of client contact. All students must have received a minimum of 70 hours supervision during the two-year program. Supervision includes planning, reviewing and evaluating art therapy services provided by the supervisee throughout the supervision process:

• Review of the client art and clinical work
• Case review of clinical files (includes intakes, progress notes, summary reports, treatment plans, termination
• Discussion of referrals, agency relationships
• Crisis intervention, limit setting, ethics, etc.
• Discussion of group work: designing, planning, setting goals and exploring issues and dynamics.

Students are introduced to a supervised clinical experience.  All aspects of work directly related to client contact will be included. Students will participate in group and/or individual art therapy supervision live online or in person. They will present case material from their practicum placements and undertake relevant readings. There will be provision for self-evaluation as well as discussion with peers and supervisors of experience in the field. The goal is to increase students’ ability to evaluate their own effectiveness.

Students can choose from a variety of agency/community settings. Students will design and present one case study.

Students will design and present one case study based on their work in this practicum.

One case study required for post Master’s practicum students.

Electives on various topics will be delivered throughout the year. Special interest topics will include the expressive arts, mindfulness in the art process, ritual mandala making, and ecologically-based art therapy.

The Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma is a Post-Master’s program requiring completion of the following courses: 101-108, and 114-117

Our program at CiiAT in Expressive Arts Therapy parallels some of the core courses for the Clinical Art Therapy Diploma, in combination with movement and somatic-based electives, and places students in expressive arts practica settings, under the supervision of a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. IEATA students complete 500 hours of practica, rather than 700 hours for the Clinical Art Therapy Students, to receive an Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma.

The Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy is an approved Professional Expressive Arts Therapy Institute as defined by IEATA’s guidelines.

Our program at CiiAT in Expressive Arts Therapy parallels some of the core courses for the Clinical Art Therapy Diploma, in combination with movement and somatic-based electives. It also places students in expressive arts practica settings, under the supervision of a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. IEATA students complete 500 hours of practica, rather than 700 hours for the Clinical Art Therapy Students, to receive an Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma.

Through the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), students can apply to become either a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) or Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educator (REACE). For more details about the requirements for registration, please visit their website.

Training to become a REAT through IEATA can be obtained through a variety of educational categories as defined on their website. Categories B + C require training by an approved Professional Expressive Arts Therapy Institute.

To meet requirements for REAT and obtain application, please review the education, experience and supervision requirements:

To meet the requirements for REACE, please review the application. You can also read the code of ethics for both REACE and REAT, and REACE.