COUN 542 Expressive Arts in Counseling

The purpose of this course is to enhance competence of effective application of expressive arts in counseling with diverse clients. Students will learn how to administer and process therapeutic activities in a way that leads to positive change, increased self-awareness, and improved mental health. The course instructor will demonstrate several expressive arts interventions including activities utilizing creative writing, visual arts, and sandtray therapy. Students will practice in dyads, reflect on their learning by integrating a review of relevant literature, and submit recorded mock sessions to the instructor for feedback. Students will also integrate the skills learned in this class into their evolving theoretical orientation and create a treatment plan that reflects conceptualization skills and multicultural competence. Students will be required to purchase additional materials (e.g., sandtray manipulatives) for the course.