“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” -Rachel Carson I dig my heels into the balmy sand, feeling connected to and grounded by the solid land beneath me. The sound of waves crashing on nearby rocks before receding resolutely back into the […]
Healing through Expressive Arts By Sarah Engelskirchen-Bugler, MA, LMHC “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” This quote by Thomas Merton illustrates that art is a powerful tool not only for self-discovery but also for developing a profound sense of wonder, imagination, and creativity. For as long as humans […]
SoulCollage® is a creative and transformative process, in which you create your own personal deck of collaged cards, using your intuition and imagination. Seena Frost, a Marriage and Family Therapist in Watsonville, CA developed it by uniting her passions for spirituality, psychotherapy, and creativity. You can learn more about SoulCollage® at http://www.soulcollage.com. If you are already familiar with […]
Happy New Year! from Sibel Golden The need and desire for the arts to take a vital role in individual and collective wellness throughout all aspects of society is clear. NWCEAI applied this mandate to everything we achieved in 2022, and will continue to do so going forward. All our workshops, training, and outreach […]
Our Picks for Holiday Gifts that Inspire Creativity! We hope you’ll find this curated selection of gifts inspiring, unique, and meaningful. From all of us at Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute, have a peaceful, light-filled, and healthy holiday season. We’ll see you in the New Year! Art Supplies Whether you’re thinking about getting some […]
art and healing, Art Therapy, art trauma, arts and health, creative arts, creative process, creativity, expressive arts therapy, expressive arts training
Walking the Talk: An Interview with Training Program Alumna, Jessica Johnson
17
Apr
Apr
It was a joy to get to know clinical social worker and training program alumna, Jessica Johnson. She shared how she has been applying her learning experiences in the Professional Expressive Arts Therapy Training Program in her work as a therapist, and in her own life. Suzan: So when did you graduate from the training […]
art and healing, Art Therapy, art trauma, arts and health, creative arts, creative process, creativity, expressive arts therapy, expressive arts training
The Journey to Becoming an Expressive Arts Therapist: An Interview with Cleopatra Bertelsen
16
Apr
Apr
I recently had the privilege of interviewing Cleopatra Bertelsen as my first of a series of interviews with current cohorts, or graduates of the NW Creative & Expressive Arts Professional Training Program. Here is what I learned from this vibrant, compassionate force in the field. By Suzan Alparslan Suzan: First I’d like to just get […]
aesthetics, art and healing, arts and health, creative arts, creative process, creativity, mindfulness, neuroaesthetics
Musings on Neuroaesthetics, Creativity, and the Poetry of Being
09
Feb
Feb
By, Suzan Alparslan, MFA Poetry is: words that are empowered to make your hair stand on end, that you realize instantly as being some form of subjective truth that has an objective reality to it, because somebody has realized it. Then you call it poetry later. ~ Allen Ginsberg It has been long established by […]
Art & Social Justice “Artists are here to disturb the peace. They have to disturb the peace. Otherwise, chaos.” James Baldwin As we have watched unprecedented events unfold throughout our country, we are reminded of the transformative power of art. Art and social justice are deeply connected. Speaking truth though art has a long and mighty […]
art and healing, Art Therapy, creative arts, creative process, creativity, drama therapy, expressive arts therapy
Reflections from a Graduate of Our Training Program
03
Jun
Jun
“As we tap into the deep sources of bodily wisdom through creative art expression, we dance the renewal, recreation, and healing of ourselves and our world.” This quote by Anna Halprin illustrates how creative expression not only helps to strengthen the body-mind connection but also aids in the process of our healing as individuals andas […]