Course dates (8 days): 16th, 17th & 18th May + 20th, 21st & 22nd June + 11th & 12th July 2025 (10am - 3pm UK)
A highly experiential course offering live demonstrations, downloadable creative resources, theory & the practical integration of skills
Creative Counselling Interventions: Grounding & Stabilisation
Creative Counselling Interventions: Exploring Trauma
Creative Counselling Interventions: Symbols & Metaphor
Creative Counselling Interventions: Fairytales, Stories & Characters
Creative Counselling Interventions: Cards, Photos & Images
Creative Counselling Interventions: Art & Colour
Creative Counselling Interventions: Clay Therapy
Creative Counselling Interventions: Symbols in the Sand
Exploring Nesting Dolls in the Therapy Room
Our individual training modules are endorsed by the CPCAB (Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) — the only awarding body run by counsellors, for counsellors. We understand how important professional recognition is, and we’re committed to ensuring course attendees receive a high standard of accreditation. You will receive a certificate for each module you complete and although each module is five hours you will receive a certificate for four hours per module to account for the scheduled breaks. (A total of 32 hours of training across eight modules)
In this first module we will offer an introduction to creativity in counselling as well as looking at compassionate and practical ways for counsellors and therapists to empower their clients with essential self-regulation skills. We will explore proven and tested techniques for grounding and stabilisation that help clients manage anxiety, trauma, and overwhelming emotions during, in between after sessions. This training also strengthens your ability to support and safely hold clients as they navigate their most difficult emotional experiences. We will explore gentle and well paced creative interventions including:
Trauma presents in many ways within the counselling room and in this module we will explore how we can support clients when words alone are not enough. We will explore the central nervous system and fight, flight or freeze from a creative approach. We will look at the different types of trauma that clients may present with and explore creative interventions and tools to support them to express themselves including:
The nurturing mother. The fiery & protective dragon. The wise old owl. The healing angel. The entertaining joker. We use symbols everyday without recognising it. We are creatures of metaphor and this can be very helpful when supporting clients to explore their own perceptions, beliefs, experiences, relationships and emotions. Symbolism is one of the pillars of creative counselling and it helps us to see things from a clients perspective. In this training we will explore how to safely work with symbols, empowering our clients while nurturing autonomy. In this CPD, we will explore:
In this CPD we will take a journey “down the rabbit hole” and explore different ways that we can support clients to express their story. Can you sometimes relate to feeling like Alice, stuck in a strange and overwhelming world? Or frustrated like Sebastian the crab felt, when no one paid any attention to him? Imagine what it might feel like if you could jump on a magic carpet and go anywhere? Where would you go, who or what would you leave behind and who or what would you take with you? In this CPD, we will explore:
Images capture life. They capture a moment in time. They capture thoughts, feelings and emotions. In counselling we can help clients to explore their own story through photography and images. Helping clients to process their grief, love, fear, anger, hopes, dreams and goals through imagery. This offers us a way of holding space, when words alone are not enough . Imagery works on many different levels within the brain and the body. In this CPD module, we invite you to take a visual and creative journey with us, while we explore:
From cavemen to colour festivals! Art and colour has always featured in our lives. The therapeutic use of art can be more powerful as a communicator than our words and can often act as the bridge between the conscious and unconscious. “I stopped and looked at the mess that I had created on the paper. Then my heart started to race & I stopped breathing! Right there in the middle of the blue blob, I saw the face of my late father staring back at me. His smiling, caring and loving face. I was overwhelmed with joy!” TA. In this CPD, we will explore:
Some of the earliest symbols found to date were created from clay. From clay pots, to small dolls to intricate tokens. Clay has always been a part of our lives. Clay is a natural and sensory based therapeutic tool which enables clients to shape their stories, feelings, emotions and experiences into symbols. Because of the sensory nature of clay it can also be a wonderfully grounding tool. Many counsellors work with clay in the counselling room and it can also be a nurturing way to support own self-care. In this CPD, we will explore:
Working in the sand offers us a powerful way of helping clients to express their inner story with symbols. It offers us an anchoring & grounding tool as well as a multi-sensory experience which naturally incorporates Mind, Body & Feelings. This also offers us a way as counsellors to self-care, while releasing any trapped thoughts and emotions we may be holding on to. Join us on this sand adventure while we explore:
As this is a creative training, you will need to have a range of creative resources with you to get the most from the training.
If you have any questions regarding resources, you can email our training lead on [email protected]
Pens, coloured pens and paper and a small palm sized symbol or object that you connect with in a calming way.
A selection of paper and coloured pens for doodling and writing.
A selection of symbols (symbols can be figurines, stones and or household items that can be used therapeutically to represent parts of a person, life or experiences). At least ten that represent you in some way to start with.
A selection of symbols, A book that you can connect to as a child or an adult.
An image of a character in life who empowers you. This could be anyone from a storybook to an actor, to someone in leadership, to a hero or anyone else in between.
A selection of images
A set of therapeutic cards with images
A photo or photos of yourself to work with therapeutically
A3 Card/paper
A selection of magazines/images/postcards etc
Glue
Paints of your choice
A variety of any art materials that you are drawn too
A sand tray (this can be any size tray that allows you to fill it with sand and where you can fit both of your hands within it). Some suppliers that we recommend are https://www.facebook.com/ArtisandTrays and you can also use a new cat litter tray or inflatable tray from Amazon.
Sand (you can purchase play sand from supermarkets and amazon)
A selection of symbols (anything can be a symbol)
Natural clay is recommended (TTS Supplies are brilliant for clay)
A lap sized board of MDF /wood if possible/ brown paper / paper plate / tray / Rolling pin/ Plastic tube/ palms of your hands
A selection of natural elements such as petals, leaves etc if you wish to use them
A cutting implement (perhaps a credit card, ikea plastic knives or rulers work well)
Wipes /apron or something to protect your clothes should you need this
You can choose to pay in full or to spread the payments over five monthly instalments. If you need to discuss a different payment plan or would like to arrange to have your organisation invoiced for your place, please email [email protected]
If you have any questions that aren't answered here, you can email our training lead on [email protected]
This training is for trainee and qualified counsellors, therapists and coaches.
On each training module we typically welcome members and set some boundaries together. We explore training aims and how to get the most from the day. We offer an ice-breaker and then move through the training with a series of creative slides with plenty of creative exercises and discussion break out rooms. We finish with some reflections and further reading suggestions.
We are confident that you will take something positive from the training and we have yet to be asked for a refund. We don't offer refunds as this training is purely online and if you miss a module you can catch up on a future cohort. We have a maximum number of attendees for each group and once we reach that we close enrolments and confirm places.
We host all of our live CPD's, training and events on Zoom, so you will need a computer or device to access the internet and also a free Zoom account to join us. You will also need a working camera so we can see you and interact with you. You will also need headphones to ensure that sharing circles are confidential and others can't be overheard.
YES! We you will receive a CPCAB endorsed certificate for every module that you complete. These are emailed out at the end of each training day with the slides from the day and any extra downloadable creative resources that go with that training module.
If you are a member then sign in to your account here using your details and enrol on this course. Use the code 'membership' on checkout and a discount will be applied. If you are not yet a member but would like the 10% discount then scroll to the bottom of this page and sign up for membership. Then click back onto this page to sign up and use your code on checkout. We match each name to our membership records after enrolment.
Read what our members have to say...
"Creativity adds depth, exploration and insight into counselling work. This community opens a door to richer client work and a stronger connection to the self"
"You don’t need to be an artist to be creative. You just need to be brave enough to let your curiosity be free and as soon as I joined this community of talented, passionate beautiful professionals, I knew I had found my tribe!"
"It’s incredibly special to be a part of this unique community. A space to connect and grow with likeminded therapists working in a creative way. It’s been a deeply powerful experience - both personally and professionally."
"I honestly don’t know what I would have done without the CCC last year. The support and sense of community is amazing. I feel very lucky to be part of this inspiring group."
"The Creative Counsellors Community ignited my creativity in so many different ways which has enhanced my practice with clients for far better outcomes than I could ever have imagined. I have gained great friendships and met like minded colleagues that I would never otherwise have met."
"Being part of this community of creatives gives me a sense of belonging and acceptance for who I am."
No contract! Cancel anytime! 24/7 Access to an ever-growing CPD library created & facilitated by therapists for therapists
