The Wall: Using the Creative Process to get Over, Under, and Break Through

Date: 📆 Saturday April 4, 2026 

Time: 9:00am–4:00pm Pacific Time (with an hour lunch break)
Location: NWCEAI Studio: 1631 15th Ave. W. Ste 305 | limited to 15 participants
Available CEs: 6
Facilitator: Anin Utigaard, LMFT, REAT
Cost: $219.00

Registration Deadline: Wednesday April 1, 2026

How do we assist our clients, families and groups when there are issues or challenges that seem to block and prevent them from making progress or moving forward? How do we support clients to understand the role of these blocks, where they came from, and how to move beyond them?

In this workshop, we will explore and experience the use of creativity and the arts as a tool that can be used to overcome obstacles that get in the way of our clients, whether it is negative self-talk, depression, low self-esteem, anger, fear, addiction, or anxiety.  Combining drama, art, music, writing and movement offered in a Person-Centered approach, allowing participants to participate at the level they’re comfortable with, attendees will discover new ways to assist their clients’ growth while also gaining insight about their own desires and walls that may be in the way.

The tools gained from this workshops can be used with clients of all ages, as well as with support groups coming together to address a common challenge. This workshop was developed for psychotherapists and others working in the mental and medical health fields, as well as social workers, creative arts therapists and educators.

Learning objectives

1. Participants will learn how to integrate the Person-Centered Approach with Expressive Arts.
2. Participants will gain tools on how to address blocks and obstacles with the clients.
3. Participants will learn how to combine the Expressive Arts Process with the Person-Centered Approach.

Required Materials

• All materials will be provided in studio.

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 in its entirety and complete an evaluation form after the workshop. The evaluation form is emailed to you by the following Friday of the workshop. 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.