The Creative Compass: Tools for Children and Adolescents in Expressive Arts

Dates:
📆 September 25, 2026

Time: 9:00am–3:30pm Pacific Time (with a 30 minute lunch break)
Location: Online
Available CEs: 6
Facilitator: Courtney Mohr Taylor, PhD, LMHC, REAT
Cost: $219.00 + tax

Registration Deadline: Tuesday prior to training date.

This workshop will equip professionals with theoretical knowledge and practical tools to integrate expressive arts into therapeutic and educational settings. Participants will learn about the the developmental, emotional, and neurological benefits of expressive arts for children and adolescents. By taking this training get ready to foster confidence in using visual arts, drama therapy, poetry, and writing as accessible, adaptable modalities! Participants will leave with expressive arts activities adaptable for children and adolescents, a deeper understanding of why expressive arts matter developmentally and therapeutically, and how to confidently integrate these practices ethically and creatively into their professional roles.

Learning objectives

1. Explain the psychological and developmental benefits of expressive arts for children and adolescents.
2. Identify how visual arts, drama, poetry, and writing can support emotional regulation, resilience, and identity formation.
3. Demonstrate at least one expressive arts interventions in each modality discussed during presentation.
4. Learn the key components with integrating multi-modal theory.
5. Integrate expressive arts into existing therapeutic or educational frameworks.
6. Evaluate ethical and cultural considerations when applying expressive arts with youth.

Required Materials

 Please feel free to use materials you already have or prefer to work with – it is not necessary to purchase every material listed!

• Paper Materials:
  • Journals or notebooks (lined or unlined)
  • Loose paper (printer paper, construction paper, or recycled sheets)
  • Sketch paper or mixed-media paper
  • Cardstock or heavy paper (for mask bases)
  • Optional: pre-made blank masks (available at craft stores)
  • Optional: colored paper for layering backgrounds
• Writing Utensils
  • Pens, pencils, markers, or colored pens
  • Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
• Optional: sticky notes for quick reflections
• Paints:
  • Watercolor paints with brushes and a water container
  • Acrylic paints (basic starter set)
  • Palette or paper plate for mixing colors
  • Rag or paper towels for cleanup
  • Oil pastels or chalk pastels
• Scissors
• Glue sticks or liquid glue
• Elastic bands or string (to wear masks)
• Decorative items:
  • feathers, sequins, beads, buttons
  • Tissue paper, construction paper, or fabric scraps
• Old magazines, newspapers, or printed text pages
• Black markers for redacting words
• Stamps and ink pads
• Stickers or washi tape
• Natural items (leaves, twigs, pressed flowers) for symbolic collage
• Small box or container (for creating a “symbolic vessel” or safe space art project)
• Access to a word processor or drawing app (for participants who prefer digital media)
• Optional: free collage apps or online blackout poetry generators
• Headphones and a quiet space for reflective writing or guided imagery

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.