Professional Certification in Expressive Arts Therapy (PCEAT)

The Professional Certification in Expressive Arts Therapy explores the intersection of psychology, and creative therapeutic interventions, focusing on the transformative power of artistic expression in mental and emotional well-being. It examines how creative processes—such as visual arts, music, movement, drama, and writing—engage cognitive functions, emotions, and behaviour to promote healing and self-discovery. This program provides a comprehensive understanding of expressive arts therapy, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications to equip students with the skills needed to facilitate creative expression, emotional processing, and personal growth. Through an experiential and holistic lens, participants will learn evidence-based approaches to foster resilience, self-awareness, and empowerment in diverse therapeutic settings.

Programme Overview

The Professional Certification Course in Expressive Arts Therapy is a six-month program designed to equip professionals with a deep understanding of the therapeutic use of creative expression in mental health, social work, education, and healthcare. Integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications, the course prepares participants to harness the healing potential of art, music, movement, drama, and writing in diverse therapeutic settings. The curriculum covers the creativity, assessment techniques, and therapeutic interventions for emotional and psychological well-being. It explores evidence-based approaches such as intermodal expressive therapies, somatic integration, and trauma-informed creative practices, alongside specialized training for working with children, trauma survivors, individuals with special needs, and marginalized communities. Emphasizing emotional resilience, personal transformation, and holistic healing, the course also highlights practitioner self-care, ethical considerations, and sustainable expressive arts practices. Learning is facilitated through reading materials, experiential exercises, case studies, and assessments, with certification awarded upon successful completion, equipping professionals with the skills to implement expressive arts therapy effectively.

Programme Structure

International Affiliation with

Module 1: Foundations of Expressive Arts Therapy

• History, Theories, and Key Pioneers
• Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
• Ethics and Professional Guidelines

Module 2: Expressive Arts Therapy Studio – Creating a Healing Space

• Setting Up a Therapeutic Studio
• Individual vs. Group Therapy Techniques
• Legal, Ethical, and Practical Considerations 

Module 3: Integrative Creative Therapies – Exploring Different Art Modalities

• Visual and Movement-Based Therapies
• Music, Drama, and Writing in Therapy
• Intermodal and Hybrid Approaches

Module 4: Applications of Expressive Arts Therapy in Mental Health and Well-Being

• Therapeutic Use for Different Age Groups
• Expressive Arts Therapy for Trauma and Special Needs
• Integrating Expressive Arts Therapy in Counselling and Psychotherapy

Module 5: Cultural, Spiritual, and Holistic Perspectives in Expressive Arts Therapy

• Cross-Cultural Healing Practices
• Spirituality and Mindfulness in Expressive Arts Therapy
• Symbolism, Archetypes, and the Subconscious

Module 6: Advanced Therapeutic Techniques and Working with Special Populations

• Expressive Arts Therapy for Vulnerable Communities
• Trauma-Informed and Crisis Intervention Approaches
• Healthcare and Institutional Applications

Module 7: Case Study

Eligibility

Graduates in any discipline are eligible for our Post Graduate Diploma, Executive Diploma and Professional Certifications Programmes. 10+2 pass-outs are eligible for our Under Graduate Diploma and Diploma holders of two to three years course duration are also eligible for the PG Diploma.

Programme Duration

The minimum duration to complete the Professional Certification programme is 6 months and maximum is 12 months.

Programme Mode

Registration is currently open for Part-time (Online Live Classes) mode.

Programme Deliverables

A comprehensive study material for all the modules in hard copies ensuring the needs of the audience. The accompanying training material is appropriately aligned with the current Industry’s expectations.

• Assignments for all the programme modules for continuous evaluation and guidance.
• Interactive or online live sessions on all key areas of the programme giving all flexibility to the participants.
• Online Live Classes/Part-time for all the modules will be conducted on the weekends. Moreover, a doubt clearing session will also be scheduled before the examination
• All the efforts are made by IGMPI faculty members to make the entire programme modules easily understandable.
• Assessment and evaluation for all the programme modules in order to enhance the levels of competencies and skills of the participants leading towards the objective of application in the job.
• At the end of each programme modules, the trainers shall obtain feedback from the participants using specially designed questionnaires.
• All learning and training delivery initiatives shall be conducted in English.

Examination and Certification

All the participants are expected to appear for an online exam and are also obliged to submit assignments after each module. After successful completion, the participants will be awarded Professional Certification in Expressive Arts Therapy by Centre for Health Management and Research, IGMPI. For all the above-mentioned modules, Online Live Classes/Part-time or face-to-face classes (Regular mode), elaborate programme material, self-assessment assignments would be provided by the Institute. Details get updated on the webpage as well.

Discipline in Classes and Examination

Every student is required to observe a disciplined behaviour during her/his classes, assessments & examinations and to follow instructions from the Professors. Any act of indiscipline may result into discredit & it will be mentioned in her/his academic report.

Placement Assistance & Corporate Relations

For the Post Graduate Diploma and Undergraduate Diploma Programmes, we will provide placement assistance after the completion of the programme. The Institute has partnered with many organizations for providing placement assistance to its students. The robust placement cell comprises senior level Human Resources professionals and Talent Acquisition experts which maintains close links with business and industry. The efforts of our placement cell also include helping with professional resume writing, interview skills & conducting mock interviews etc.

In recent months the Institute has witnessed more and more participation from professionals working with global healthcare like , Jhpiego, SELCO Foundation, TATA Foundation, Samarthan NGO, PSI, UNICEF, WHO, HCL Foundation, IPE Global, Optum, PATH, AIIMS, Action against Hunger, Ekta Shakti Foundation, Seva Foundation, India HIV-AIDS Alliance, HLFPPT, Deepak Foundation, Novartis, LalPath Labs Ltd., Fortis Healthcare Ltd., HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd., Indraprastha Medical Corporation Ltd., Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd., Piramal Enterprises Ltd., Wockhardt Ltd., Cactus Communications, Public Health Foundations of India, Cytel, Religare Health Insurance Company Ltd., Deloitte, DuPont Sustainable Solutions, Bain & Company, Alvarez & Marsal, McKinsey & Company, etc. The IGMPI’s Corporate Resource Division actively recommends our students and training participants for various job requirements and specialized roles to Human Resource, Talent Acquisition as well as the heads of various departments in Pharmaceutical, Healthcare industries on regular basis.

Future Career Prospects

As the field of Expressive Arts Therapy continues to evolve, the Certificate Course in Expressive Arts Therapy will integrate emerging research on creativity and therapeutic innovation, emphasizing evidence-based interventions and the use of digital tools in creative expression and therapy. Future iterations of the program may adopt a more interdisciplinary approach, incorporating insights from psychology, somatic therapies, social work, and education to address complex challenges such as trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and mental health support across diverse populations. The curriculum will increasingly focus on inclusive and culturally responsive practices, offering specialized training to work with marginalized communities, refugees, individuals with special needs, and survivors of trauma. In response to the growing demand for accessible and innovative mental health care, the program will incorporate virtual expressive arts therapy pand digital art interventions, preparing graduates to facilitate creative healing in both traditional and remote settings. Greater emphasis will be placed on self-care strategies for practitioners, preventing burnout, and resilience-building, ensuring that professionals are well-equipped to support individuals through expressive arts while maintaining their own well-being in an ever-changing therapeutic landscape.

View Prospectus

Apply Online

Last date for submitting completed Application Form: 17^th Aug 2026.

For further enquiries, call or write to us on:
18001031071 (Toll Free -9:00 am to 5:30 pm IST-except on Central Government holidays)/ info@igmpi.ac.in