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Expressive Arts Therapy Concentration | Graduate Degree Program

Expressive Arts Therapy Concentration

Studying Expressive Arts Therapy at Ottawa University, you can take an arts-based approach to counseling and psychotherapy that integrates various expressive disciplines to assist individuals in self-expression and self-discovery. Expressive arts therapy for children and adults has been effective when traditional counseling may not reach certain individuals.

Designed for practicing professionals who wish to become a licensed professional counselor, our expressive arts therapy courses will teach you how to use artistic experiences to aid health, healing, human growth and development with a wide variety of populations and ages. A background in the arts is an entry requirement for this program. 

Expressive therapy skills in visual arts, movement, drama, music and writing can be powerful tools when used to foster deep personal and community development.

Ottawa University offers Expressive Arts Therapy as a concentration within the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC), or as a certificate of advanced graduate studies, designed to help you pursue the art therapy career you want. Upon completion, you may seek jobs that require art therapy certifications, such as:

  • Art therapist
  • Psychotherapist
  • Social worker
  • Counselor
  • And more

For more information on our CAGS in Expressive Arts Therapy or any of Ottawa University's certificate programs, contact us today.

Requirements for art therapy certifications/licenses vary state to state. Students are responsible for checking the requirements for their respective states.

View detailed information about our Expressive Arts Therapy program.

       

Expressive Arts Therapy is offered at the following locations.

  • Overland Park, Kansas
  • Phoenix, Arizona
  • Brookfield, Wisconsin
  • Online

Expressive Arts Therapy Concentration Courses

Expressive Arts Therapy |  
Examines theories, techniques and applications of play, art, music, dance and other expressive therapeutic approaches.

Applications and Integration of Expressive Arts | 
Integration of counseling foundational coursework and art applications and approaches. Content from individual and group counseling, human development, multicultural awareness, abnormal behavior, assessment and professional ethics and practice. Multi-arts expressions include, but are not limited to, art, play, music, dance/movement, drama, and writing.

Principles, Techniques, and Practice in Expressive Arts Therapy |  
Examines principles and techniques for clinical practice of art therapy in residential, out-patient and private practice settings. Includes potential in art for the development of emotional, social, perceptual and cognitive strengths in children and adults.

Clinical Issues in Expressive Arts |  
Advanced study of Expressive Arts Therapy assessment, treatment planning and techniques as applied to selected client disorders and issues in education and clinical practice.

Advanced Special Topics in Counseling |  
Advanced elective graduate topics in the field of Counseling.

Master of Arts in Counseling Required Courses

Graduate Counseling Seminar in Clinical Foundations |  
Provides an overview addressing necessary foundations in the content areas of abnormal psychology,
developmental psychology, and theories of personality. Introduction to APA style and format.

Counseling Theories |  
Examination of theories of personality development and therapeutic processes. Consideration of techniques for counseling applications and professional consultation.

Social/Cultural Concerns in Counseling |  
Study of social, cultural and gender differences and issues related to counseling clients with various backgrounds, beliefs and concerns. Includes multicultural counseling techniques.

Counseling and the Helping Professions |  
Examines counseling process, instruction and practice in communication skills in counseling, history, development and practice of counseling as a profession, and how and where counseling is provided.

Human Growth and Development |  
Examination of psychological, social, intellectual, and physical influences on the development of personality and behavior patterns in children, adolescents and adults.

Group Counseling and Dynamics |  
Theories of group counseling. Includes techniques of observation, assessment and leadership in therapeutic groups.

Methods and Models of Research |  
Examination of models of research and application of scientific methods to investigate, analyze, and develop solutions relative to current issues in the field.

Professional and Ethical Issues in Counseling |  
Study of ethical, legal and professional concerns in the practice of counseling.

Psychological Testing |  
Examines use of standardized tests to study individuals, including test development, selection, administration and interpretation. Includes educational and mental health applications.

Life Planning and Career Development |  
Focus on theory, research, techniques and tools used in life planning, transitions and career development.

Theory/Techniques in Marriage and Family Counseling |  
Examination of traditional and contemporary theories of family systems and approaches to marriage and family counseling.

Advanced Psychodiagnostic and Treatment Planning |  
As a preparation for Clinical Internship, students will expand their knowledge of the multi-axial system, DSM-5 diagnostic categories, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning. Emphasis will also be placed on the clinical interview and other initial assessment techniques, as well as skills critical to selecting and evaluating treatment options.

Intro to Substance Addictions and Related Disorders |  
Introduction to patterns, causes, assessment and treatment of substance abuse and other addictive disorders. Student begins preparation of required portfolio.

Internship |  
900 hours and seven semesters.

Full Degree Catalog

University Accreditation

Ottawa University, as a whole, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Specific degree programs within our institution have also been accredited by relevant bodies within the field:

We are proudly recognized for our commitment to student excellence by the following designations:

Why Choose Ottawa
Almost all courses in Ottawa University’s programs are available online and accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. We make it easy for you to transfer credits in order to help keep tuition costs down. We also offer courses in accelerated 8-week terms in order to reduce your time to completion. These are just a few of the reasons why we are proud to be the best, fastest, and most affordable option locally in the Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Phoenix areas, as well as serving students nationally through our online degrees.

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