Creative Recovery: Integrating Expressive Arts into Chemical Dependency Counseling

Dates:
📆 Tuesday February 10, 2026
📆 Tuesday August 11, 2026
Register Below!

Time: 8:00am–11:00am Pacific Time
Location: Online
Available CEs: 3
Facilitator: Courtney Oliver, PhD, LMHC, SUDP
Cost: $119 

Registration Deadline: Thursday prior to training.

This interactive three-hour workshop introduces chemical dependency counselors to the use of expressive
arts as a tool for enhancing recovery and client engagement. Participants will explore how creative modalities—such as visual art, writing, music, and movement—can help clients express emotions, regulate affect, and reconnect with identity in the healing process.

Through hands-on art activities and guided discussion, attendees will learn how to integrate expressive practices into individual and group counseling in a way that is ethical, trauma-informed, and adaptable to diverse treatment settings. No prior art experience is required.

Learning objectives

1. Define the role and therapeutic benefits of expressive arts in the treatment of chemical dependency.
2. Identify at least three expressive arts modalities that can be integrated into addiction counseling sessions.
3. Explain how expressive arts interventions support emotional regulation, relapse prevention, and self-awareness in clients recovering from substance use disorders.
4. Demonstrate two expressive arts activities designed to enhance client engagement and promote insight during recovery.
5. Apply creative interventions within an ethical and culturally sensitive framework appropriate for chemical dependency counseling settings.
6. Evaluate ways expressive arts can deepen connection and engagement within the therapeutic relationship and group process.

Required Materials

• Materials can be any art supplies of your choice such as pencils, markers and magazine clippings material for collage work

Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute Cancellation & Refund Policy

Earning Continuing Education Credits

To receive a CE Certificate for completion of this workshop, you must officially register, attend the workshop/program in its entirety and complete an evaluation form after the workshop/program. The evaluation form is emailed from NWCEAI. After completing & submitting the evaluation form, a CE Certificate will be emailed to you within 5-7 business days.

Who is eligible to receive CEs?

• Nationally: Approved NBCC Provider for Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Social Workers (you are responsible for confirming that your organization/state will accept NBCC credits.)
• New York Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs)
• Washington State School Counselor/Teacher (OSPI) Approved by the Washington State Office of Public Instruction as a “Washington State approved clock hour offering workshop.”
• If you are outside of Washington State, we advise that you check with your state licensing board to confirm that they accept NBCC Approved CEs. 

Northwest Creative and Expressive Arts Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0123.

Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute (NWCEAI) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7104. Programs that do no qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute (NWCEAI) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.