CREATIVE HORIZONS:
The Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) for Insight, Healing, and Growth
4-DAY IN-PERSON TRAINING @ the SEED LODGE
May 29-June 1, 2025
Therapists, counsellors, creative arts therapists and clinical supervisors, come and explore the sensory, perceptual and symbolic dimensions of creative expression.
Inspired by the pioneering work of Lisa Hinz, this immersive training—led by Maria Riccardi (Career Counsellor, Art Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Researcher) and Esther Kalaba (Registered Art & Somatic Psychotherapist, Kundalini yoga teacher, & found of the People of the Prana )—offers mental health professionals a dynamic and experiential approach to assessment, treatment, and supervision using the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC).
Unlock the Power of Creative Expression in Therapy
Engage in:
🎨 Art-Based Experiential Learning – Deepen your understanding of ETC through guided creative exercises.
🧘♀️ Yoga-Inspired Grounding & Mindfulness – Cultivate presence and embodied awareness.
📖 Outdoor Immersion & Reflective Journaling – Connect with nature and enhance self-reflection.
🤝 Collaborative Discussions & Self-Assessment – Strengthen your clinical insights and supervision skills.
Whether you're looking to enrich your therapeutic practice, expand your supervision approach, or deepen your connection to the creative process, this training provides a holistic and supportive space for professional growth.
Join us and integrate the ETC into your work with confidence and creativity!
Take therapy out of the office & into the ‘real’ world.
Set in an outdoor environment where the sensory, perceptual, and symbolic dimensions of creative expression are deeply valued, participants will engage in hands-on art experiences to explore how art materials, creative processes, and final outcomes inform assessment tools, treatment planning, and supervisory practices.
This training emphasizes a holistic approach, integrating elements of movement, mindfulness, and reflective practices to deepen self-awareness and therapeutic insight. Through a blend of art-making, reflective discussions, case studies, and self-assessment exercises, participants will develop practical strategies to integrate ETC principles into their clinical and supervisory practices.
Areas of Focus Include:
Medium: How material choices influence expression, engagement, and therapeutic outcomes.
Process: The dynamic relationship between the act of creating and the resulting artwork to guide interventions and assessments.
Belief Systems, Cultural Values, and Worldviews: Explore how cultural and personal perspectives shape the therapeutic experience and client engagement.
Transference: Examining relational and emotional responses emerging within the therapeutic and supervisory spaces.
Objectives:
Engage with the ETC framework through hands-on creative activities, yoga-inspired exercises, and mindfulness practices, fostering a reflective environment to identify client strengths and therapeutic goals.
Design ETC-based treatment plans, integrating Media Dimensions Variables with insights from sensory, emotional, and symbolic exploration to address individualized goals.
Conduct art therapy assessments, combining art-making, reflective journaling, and cultural awareness, to develop personalized and responsive treatment goals.
Evaluate and select art materials intentionally, optimizing therapeutic outcomes through informed media choices and reflective exercises.
TRAINING SCHEDULE
Day 1: Kinesthetic/Sensory Level- Grounding Through Movement and Sensation
Participants will begin their journey with the Kinesthetic/Sensory Level, emphasizing physical engagement and sensory exploration. Activities will include movement-based art exercises, tactile interactions with clay and textured materials, and moments of yoga-inspired grounding practices to foster a deep connection between the body and the creative process. Through embodied movement and sensory immersion, participants will cultivate presence and attunement.
Day 2: Perceptual/Affective Level – Emotions in Color and Form
On the second day, the focus will shift to the Perceptual/Affective Level, where colors and forms will serve as gateways to emotional expression and introspection. Activities will include guided visualizations, expressive color studies, and meditative mandala creation. Integrated mindfulness practices will encourage participants to observe their emotional landscapes with clarity and acceptance, allowing creative expression to flow authentically.
Day 3: Cognitive/Symbolic Level – Stories, Symbols, and Meaning
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Day 4 (Half-Day): Creative Level – Integration and Reflection
The final session will center on the Creative Level, offering participants a space for integration, synthesis, and collective reflection. Activities will include open-ended creative projects, collaborative group art-making, and moments of guided relaxation and mindfulness exercises. Participants will consolidate their insights from the workshop, creating final art pieces that embody their journey across the ETC levels.
This workshop is designed to provide a holistic experience, combining the expressive power of art therapy with the grounding practices of yoga, mindfulness, and outdoor reflection in nature. Through guided activities, reflective discussions, and embodied exercises, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential of creative expression and its application in diverse contexts. The majority of this training take place outdoors.
Who Should Attend:
This training is ideal for art psychotherapists, creative arts therapists, psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, social workers, occupational therapists, and clinical supervisors who wish to deepen their understanding and application using the arts in their practice through the ETC framework.
With a focus on evidence-based practices, this training offers a supportive, collaborative space for professionals to enhance their therapeutic effectiveness and confidently apply ETC principles across clinical, supervisory, and community-based settings.
What’s included:
4 days in person training @ the SEED Lodge: Thursday, May 29th @ 2pm to Sunday, June 1 @ 2pm.
Lunch & dinner is included for all registrants (breakfast is provided to those who book accommodation @ the SEED Lodge).
All art materials and handouts.
Certificate of Completion for CE hours for health professionals.
The Practical Details:
The retreat is available with your choice of onsite accommodation at the SEED lodge or not (pick what option suits you best). Price includes lunch and dinner (vegetarian & vegan).
Suitable for absolute beginners and more experienced creative arts therapies practitioners, therapists, social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists or artists and art educators. While this training is for mental health professionals, other people with relevant experienc are eligible to apply.
The Seed Lodge is located right outside the small town of Rocklyn (2 hours north of Toronto near Blue Mountain). Car pool is available (please be sure to indicate if you are able to offer a lift or if you need a lift in the form).
50 acres of farm and forest for you to explore.
This is a drug and alcohol free event.
Certificate of Attendance for continuing education is offered for health professionals.
The SEED Lodge is wheelchair accessible. Please be sure to let us know of your accessibility needs so that we can accommodate you for various outdoor activities.
All sales are non-refundable but transferable to another person.
SEED Lodge reserves the right to cancel any course due to low enrollment. In such cases, a full refund will be issued.
Your Instructors:
Maria Ricardi M.A., M.Ed., ATR-BC
Clinical Director, Professor and Supervisor, PhD student in psychology, scientific-professional profile.
Maria Riccardi is an art therapist, guidance counselor, and psychotherapist with over 20 years experience in the field. She founded a clinic in Montreal based on the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), which offers therapeutic, educational, and career guidance for children and families. She has collaborated in the development of community-based programs for individuals who are marginalized due to mental and physical health issues, as well as for people living with immigration and poverty-related challenges.
She is a part-time professor at the Université du Québec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and a faculty member at the Winnipeg Holistic Expressive Arts Therapy Institute. She is registered by The American Art Therapy Association (ATR) and certified by The Art Therapy Credential Board (ATR-BC). She is a member and past president of the Quebec Art Therapy Association (AATQ). Her research includes media properties and their role in evaluation.
Esther Kalaba M.A, RP
Founder of the SEED Lodge & the People of the Prana, Artist, Kundalini Yoga Teacher
Esther Kalaba is an art therapist and somatic psychotherapist who has been in practice for close to 20 years in clinical and community settings. She has worked as an art therapist in a variety of mental health care settings, such as hospitals, specialized schools, cancer support centres, palliative care, and domestic violence shelters.
She specializes working with people with complex trauma and bereavement. Esther combines a unique blend of traditional talk psychotherapy, art therapy, somatic therapy, yoga, and meditation/pranayama (breath-work) practice to her clinical work enabling for a whole person care and working on the psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.
Esther is a trained medical herbalist and believes in connecting with nature is an integral part of the healing process.
For all questions please email: theseedlodge@gmail.com
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