Expressive Arts Therapy - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master of Arts (MA)

WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY AREA OF EMPHASIS

A Cross-Cultural Perspective on Trauma and Resiliency

This area of emphasis is specifically designed to prepare the next generation of mental health professionals in the therapeutic use of expressive arts processes for personal, family and community transformation. Combining expressive arts with strong counseling and trauma treatment skills can be a powerful way to help the lives of individuals, families, and communities throughout many regions of the world.

Trauma Sensitive
Our area of emphasis integrates information on trauma, affect regulation, and the development of a strengths based, phase-oriented approach to trauma treatment to support the stabilization and resiliency of the client. Students learn first hand how to develop a sense of safety in their body, in their environment, and in their relationships both intrapsychically and interpersonally to then translate this learning to their clients and maintain a regulated, supportive therapeutic relationship.

Cross Cultural Competency
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the area of emphasis in Expressive Arts Therapy program incorporates participatory action research, liberation psychology, and traditional (non-western) models of healing and client/community engagement. An international immersion course in Guatemala is offered where students learn how to identify their role, approach, and relevant materials in an international-based cross-cultural relationship. The college-wide concentrations from the Center of Excellence in Multicultural and Global Mental Health at William James College also offers travel and learning opportunities abroad.

Expressive Arts Therapy
The use of expressive arts therapy encourages interaction, sharing and trust in a safe place. Our curriculum mirrors this. Students will learn the history, ethics and practice of expressive arts therapy, integrated with the core curriculum of the clinical mental health counseling requirements, which focuses on resilience and the integration of diversity, difference and inclusion.

Full-time Course Sequence (2 years)
Part-time Course Sequence (3 years)

We enroll new students into our Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA program every January and late August.  Click here to see our timing and deadlines.  

Licensure Eligibility

Licensure eligible in Mental Health Counseling in Massachusetts and Registered Expressive Arts Therapy Eligible

The William James College program is among a few programs in New England to meet the educational standards for both the International Expressive Art Therapy Association for becoming a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT), and the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Profession to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) . Students seeking licensure in other states must ensure that their degree program satisfies the requirements of the licensing board in that state(s).

Course LMHC Requirements REAT Requirements
Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy X  
Adult Psychopathology X  
Psychological Appraisal and Assessment X  
Professional Issues and  Ethics X X
Practicum Seminar I: Helping Relationships I & II X X
Diversity, Difference and Inclusion X X
Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence X X
Group Counseling and Psychotherapy X X
Lifespan Development X X
Research and Program Evaluation X X
Introduction to Family Therapy X X
Counseling Internship I & II X X
Practical Approaches in Arts Expressive Therapy   X
Advanced Expressive Therapies: Theory & Practice   X
Expressive Arts in Trauma Treatment   X
Introduction to Play Therapy   X
Psychodrama and Drama Therapy   X
Extra courses    
Consultation, Collaboration and Community Partnerships    
Substance Abuse Evaluation and Treatment    
Why Choose the Expressive Arts Therapy Area of Emphasis

William James College's program is among a few programs in New England to meet the educational standards for both the International Expressive Art Therapy Association for becoming a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT), and the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Profession to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Students seeking licensure in other states must ensure that their degree program satisfies the requirements of the licensing board in that state(s).

The use of expressive arts therapy encourages interaction, sharing and trust in a safe place. Our curriculum mirrors this. Students will learn the history, ethics and practice of expressive arts therapy, integrated with the core curriculum of the counseling psychology requirements, which focuses on resilience and the integration of diversity, difference and inclusion.

In addition, students will engage in a minimum of 360-hour practicum and 600-hour internship experience where they will practice their skills in counseling and the expressive arts therapy beginning in the first semester.

William James College students will learn from distinguished and experienced faculty members who reflect the diversity of the populations we treat.  Learn more about two of our faculty members:

 

Resources

New England Art Therapy Association
www.neata.us

The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA)
www.ieata.org

American Art Therapy Association
www.artherapy.org

William James College Expressive Arts Therapy FaceBook Page
www.facebook.com/ExpressiveArtsTherapy.mspp

Power of the Arts in Trauma Therapy: A Symposium within the Expressive Therapies Summit Counseling faculty member, Michelle Harris, will present. November 7-8, 2013
www.smore.com/ddsz-power-of-the-arts-in-trauma-therapy?ref=email

IEATA Guatemala: 1st Latin American Regional Symposium, February 27-March 1, 2014
www.ieata.org/conference.html

In the News: Helping soldiers with traumatic brain injuries through art therapy

An Example of Using Expressive Arts for Community Social Justice Work
www.cambridgewomenscenter.org/programs/survivor_quilt_project.html

For More Information on Our Counseling Programs

Would you like to learn more about our counseling programs or the admissions process? Request information here and select the track that most interests you.

Want to hear more and have the opportunity for a live Q&A with faculty and staff? Sign up for the next webinar.

Prefer to talk to someone who's been there, done that? Contact one of our Student Ambassadors for the counseling program to get a student's views.

Our Counseling Department faculty and staff are available to answer your questions. Prospective students are welcome to contact directly the Area of Emphasis Directors or the Department Chair with questions about the program or to discuss your career and academic goals.