Expressive pArts Work:
Part 1: Introduction to Supporting Complex Trauma Healing with SoulPages® Art Journaling and Internal Family Systems Therapy

Date: Saturday October 4, 2025
Time: 9:00am–4:00pm Pacific Time (with a 1 hour lunch break)
Location: Online
Available CEs: 6
Facilitator: Theresa Soltzberg, LMFT
Cost: $233.00 

Registration Deadline: Wednesday October 1, 2025

Note: This course can be a stand-alone course or serve as a prerequisite to Part 2 of the Expressive pArts Work: Diving Deeper with Complex Trauma Healing with SoulPages® Art Journaling and IFS Therapy.

If you previously completed Visual Journaling & Internal Family Systems: Supporting Complex Trauma Using Expressive Arts prior to September 1, 2025 you are not eligible to receive CEs for this course; however, you qualify for Part 2 since that course satisfies the prerequisite requirement.

In this Part 1 introductory course, participants will learn how to support complex trauma clients with an approach that combines expressive arts therapy with Internal Family Systems (IFS) parts work. Through experiential exercises, participants will learn the basics of expressive art journaling and how to integrate intermodal expressive arts work with internal family systems work. Participants will learn how to support clients to heal complex trauma through IFS and expressive arts, utilizing right and left-brain integration.

Participants will learn the basics of expressive arts journaling, including layering techniques, the elements of SoulPages® art journaling, and how to introduce and walk their clients through a SoulPages® art journaling spread.

Participants will also learn the fundamentals of Internal Family Systems parts work, including the three kinds of parts and the eight qualities of the Self, and the observing non-changing core of our being. Through use of IFS and SoulPages® art journaling, participants will learn to invite client engagement utilizing resources for further learning about both processes and this combined approach.

The SoulPages® approach does not require art experience and is accessible to anyone, including those with no art experience. It involves collage, simple mark making and painting techniques, and includes writing and movement. We will be incorporating simple IFS work which can be built upon. No prior experience is necessary.

Learning objectives

1. Participants will learn how the neuroscience of IFS (top down) and EXA (bottom up) helps heal complex trauma.
2. Participants will learn how the IFS system works and its components: protectors (managers and firefighters), exiles, and the Self.
3. Participants will learn about and understand how to apply the layers and materials of the SoulPages® approach.
4. Participants will learn about the IFS component of the Self and its eight qualities through experiential participation.
5. Participants will complete a simple SoulPages® exercise to experience the approach, including guided visualization.
6. Participants will learn and understand how SoulPages® and IFS work can support clients with complex trauma.

Required Materials

• Art Journal or Watercolor paper (or any thicker paper)
• Watercolors, acrylics, inks or other paint
• Paint brushes
• Pen, waterproof pen, pencil
• Acrylic markers or sharpies
• Magazines, old books, ephemera, or printed paper, printed images, or other images
• Scissors
• Glue
• Hairdryer (optional, for faster drying)
• Substitute what you have, as long as you’re expressing yourself! If you don’t have all of the items, bring what you do have to create!

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?

• School Counselor/Teacher (OSPI) Approved by the Washington State Office of Public Instruction as a “Washington State approved clock hour offering workshop.”
• This workshop offers Continuing Education credits for Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Social Workers.
• 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. 

Theresa Soltzberg is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs and maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Continuing Education Provider #146650: Workshop meets the qualifications for 7 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. 

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.