Self-of-the-Therapist Experiential Process Painting (6.5 CEs) – Winter 2026
Discounted early bird rate of $30 off available now through 11/03/26!
When applying concepts from El Duende Process Painting and the Anchored Relational Method—including Relational Autonomy and Relational Cohesion—to self-of-the-therapist clinical practice, the therapist’s evolving relationship with a single canvas becomes the vehicle for learning. Sequential layering of art materials invites ongoing self-reflexivity through aesthetic attunement, Relational Resonance, and clinical intuition. This process encourages aesthetically focused curiosity and exploration of internal and external relationships, often bringing forward deeper layers of professional and personal identity.
Through intuitive process painting, participants will strengthen their capacity to recognize and respond to emotional, somatic, and relational cues within themselves and the therapeutic relationship. This experiential practice supports greater presence, self-awareness, and clinical responsiveness while exploring how internal responses can inform—rather than direct—the therapeutic process.
The structure of process painting has three main activities:
- Spontaneous painting
- Complex reflective processing
- Aesthetically focused attention to imagery appearing in the painting that parallels the clinical experience
This process offers numerous benefits including enhanced self-reflexivity, improved clinical intuition, and a deeper understanding of internal and external relationships. Engagement from Active Imagination, practicing and applying “neurology, development, dignity, resilience, and vulnerability inherent in all human beings.. supporting life-giving actions in line with values.” (Miller and Solon 2024)
Seminar Schedule:
- 9:00 – Guided Relaxation, Introductions, and Experiential Check-In
- 9:45 – Explanation and Instructions for Process Painting
- 10:00 – Experiential Process Painting: Part I
- 11:30 – Small-Group Processing and Integration
- 12:30 – Lunch Break
- 1:00 – Experiential Process Painting: Part II
- 3:00 – Large-Group Reflection, Clinical Integration, and Closing
Art of Counseling, PLLC, is an ATCB Authorized Continuing Education (CE) Provider. CE activities are accepted for recertification of Board Certified Registered Art Therapists (ATR-BC) and fall within ATCB-approved content areas: Art Therapy, General Mental Health Education, Supervision, and Ethics.
Pending approval for 6.5 continuing education clock hours both by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) and the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy (MN board of MFT).
