Integrating Somatic Approaches with Expressive Arts Therapy

Date: Saturday March 7, 2026
Time: 10:00am–12:00pm Pacific Time
Location: Online
Available CEs: 2
Facilitator: Debbi Odell, LMFT
Cost: $99

Registration Deadline: Wednesday March 4, 2026

This 2-hour workshop is designed to teach clinicians theories and interventions of somatic approaches and how to integrate them with expressive arts approaches. Somatic approaches will include polyvagal theory, Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Hakomi.

We will open with introductions and a somatic awareness exercise.  Next is an overview of somatic theories and interventions, followed by a discussion of ways to integrate somatic theories and interventions with each expressive arts modality and intermodal activities.  Next is an experiential incorporating somatic approach with visual arts, writing, movement, enactment and sound.  The experiential will be followed by group witnessing and a closing exercise.

No previous experience with expressive arts or somatics is required – just a willingness to participate!

Learning objectives

1. Participants will be able to identify three somatic approaches and key components.
2. Participants will learn and practice methods to integrate somatics with expressive arts modalities.

Required Materials

• Paper (a few pieces)
• Art making materials such as,
  • Markers / colored pencils, crayons, pastel, etc.
  • Writing tool (pen/pencil)
  • Digital art and writing can also be utilized if preferred or more accesible

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.