About
WHEAT Institute
Harmonized
Expressive Arts and Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma
WHEAT is the only Private Vocational Institute in Canada to offer both Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy Diplomas. Take advantage of cross-disciplinary training in Art Therapy, Expressive Arts and Expressive Arts Therapy with experts in each field.
The field of the Expressive Arts provides an interactive, dynamic and creative approach for amplifying wellness and addressing emotional and psychological difficulties through the therapeutic, multi-modal use of the visual art, movement, drama, music, poetry and spoken word. The field is divided into the areas of therapy, as well as personal, community and educational development, with the respective roles of Expressive Arts Therapist and Expressive Arts Consultant Educator/Practitioner. Multi-modal expressive arts therapy is grounded in phenomenology and prioritizes the use of the imagination in problem solving and enhancing one's experience of life. The inter-play of different arts modalities and media, combined with a holistic approach honouring mind, body, spirit and emotions, supports arriving at fresh insights in a holistic, integrated way. Expressive Arts training in personal and community development work supports Consultant/Educator/Practitioners in sharing the therapeutic use of the arts in healing arts classes, personal growth settings, schools, and agencies, which use creativity as a tool for self awareness and personal empowerment as well as social change. Our Diploma in Expressive Arts and Expressive Arts Therapy includes an intensive program spanning the course of two summer intensives, online coursework during the academic year, several studio immersion courses mid-academic year, practicum experience, ongoing supervision, and academic and writing support in the completion of a thesis in an area of personal interest.
Expressive Arts Therapists may apply their work in a wide variety of settings that provide individual and group therapy including private practice, social service agencies, hospitals, seniors centres, educational institutions and any service that shares goals of providing individual and group therapy support through arts-based modalities.
Expressive Arts Consultant/Educator/Practitioners are more likely to find themselves leading groups in agencies prioritizing group process, which might include school settings, shelters, refugee support centres, or store front art hives. Common goals include group support and cohesion, enjoyment, self-expression, insight, building self-esteem, and tapping and sharing one’s own unique voice through creative modalities. The work can be engaging and fun, while also evocative, and at times, challenging.
Please note, for students interested in a comprehensive immersion in art therapy and expressive arts therapy, we offer a 800+ hour dual diploma including comprehensive training in both domains. See more information here.
2023 Update: While we value the benefits of face-to-face programming and land-based experiences, we understand that in-person presence is not always possible. To make this training available as broadly as possible despite student location, time, and finances, all WHEAT programming is offered Online for those who cannot travel for any in-person offerings that take place at our Painted Sky Studio in St. Laurent, Manitoba. Information on accommodation is located HERE
For more information, contact WHEAT Institute at info@wheatinstitute.com or register here.
A copy of our course of study schedule is available upon request.
Current Requirements
Graduates of this program will have the training necessary to become members of the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (OEATA). You can join as an Expressive Arts Therapist with a 500 + hour training program, including supervised practicum and thesis / final project. Registering as a professional member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), as either a Registered Expressive Arts Therapists (REAT) or Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educators (REACE), is a process, with a variety of criteria, which can be found here ieata.org
WHEAT Founder Darci Adam collaborated with IEATA to co-host their annual conference in 2017 titled: Indigenous Roots of Expressive Arts: Transformation, Social Justice, and Social Change, Locally and Globally https://www.ieata.org/2017conferencewinnipeg.
If you have a Bachelor's degree you may apply to register through the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada or the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association.
Developmental Psychology (3 credits) and Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology (3 credits) must be completed as prerequisites or during the program.
Students will be required to receive at least 25 hours of expressive arts therapy or art therapy therapy prior to or during the program as part of their learning.
Current Application Process
Application deadlines: There are a limited number of seats available and spots will be reserved as applications are received. Registration is closed for 2023. Join our waitlist for the 2024 cohort!
Applicants are selected based on past academic records, a 500-1000 word letter of intent and three letters of recommendation.
Applicants must also submit: Documentation of previous art-making experience and are expected to have experience in clinical, rehabilitative and/or educational settings, current Resume, Child Abuse Registry and Criminal Record Check. Registration fee of $225 is due at that time. A selection committee will interview potential students. Confirmation of acceptance to the Diploma Program will occur within two weeks of application. Training completion fund of $254.90 plus materials fee of $200 are due upon acceptance and signing of the Tuition Contract.
Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma
Testimonials
"I got to play and laugh and cry and grow, while painting and sculpting and dancing and making poems and building a deeper and deeper knowing that this magical way of connecting to myself and others can be made available to all."
Expressive Arts Diploma Student, 2019
"This course was life affirming, life altering, and inspirational. I was left in amazement at the power of expressive arts."
Expressive Arts Student, 2019
"Entering the WHEAT Expressive Arts Therapy diploma program has presented so many life-altering and life-affirming moments. Along this incredible journey of learning and self-discovery, I have often paused and considered how fortunate I have been to connect to the incredible faculty and fellow students. In a word, WHEAT is transformative!"
Expressive Arts Student, 2019
Current Fees
Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma
There is no GST on any of our fees or tuition. All fees are listed in Canadian (CAD) dollars. Training is tax deductible, see more information here.
Tuition Fees for Expressive Arts and Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma: $25,490.00 CAD
* Term payments are calculated on the course hours you complete in the given period. An estimate will be provided to each student upon acceptance.
Term 1 due June 15
Term 2 due September 30
Term 3 due January 15
Term 4 due June 1
Term 5 due September 30
Term 6 due January 15
Additional Fees:
$225.00 CAD Non-refundable Registration Fee due upon registration (part of the application process)
$200.00 CAD Non-refundable Supply Fee due upon acceptance
$254.90 CAD Non-refundable Training Completion Fund (TCF) fee due upon acceptance. See details of the purpose of this fund here.
$50.00 CAD Graduation Fee due in final term
Practicum and/or Thesis Extension for all Diploma Programs:
Students will be considered graduates following completion of their Practicum as well as having completed and received a passing grade on their Final Project or Thesis. There is an additional fee of $100 per supervision hour for any supervision required beyond that included in the program. There is a fee of $1000 for students wishing to extend their Final Project or Thesis for an additional year. This will be accompanied by additional research support.