Are you looking for new, creative ways to engage your clients in their DBT work? 

Do you have art therapy training and want to add DBT based interventions for your clients? 

Have you done some DBT training and are ready to focus in on specialized applications?

Art in DBT: Art Making to Build DBT Skills will give you essential knowledge that you need to use art-making in your DBT work with client.

Topics include:
An overview of key aspects of DBT and Art Therapy
Why integrating DBT and art making can be beneficial for your clients
Considerations for coordinating Art Therapy and DBT
Art directives to build mindfulness and distress tolerance skills
Art-making to build emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills
How to determine which DBT skills your client will benefit from in the session

Guided art experiences throughout the course will help spark your own creativity and enhance learning.

What To Expect:

The course is comprised of 3 units of approximately 2-hours each - 1 hour of learning and 1 hour of guided art-making.  Three APA-approved CE credits are available for MFT's, social workers, counselors, and psychologists (through sponsorship by CE-Classes.com). CEs should meet the standards for ATCB; art therapists should verify the current requirements.

The online platform allows you to work with your own schedule and at your own pace.

You will learn through informational videos and experiential art activities. 

You will also be able to build community and get consultation through our Discussion page and private Facebook group.

Please keep in mind that this course does not certify you in DBT or Art Therapy. Instead, this course is intended to provide you with information and skills that you can integrate in to your work as a mental health clinician. You may wish to get additional consultation or training.

Course Objectives

Participants will be able to:

1. List at least three areas where Art Therapy and DBT coordinate in theory and practice.
2. Describe three benefits of using art-based and DBT informed interventions to meet client and therapeutic goals.
3. Identify which DBT skills a client could benefit from.
4. Plan three art interventions to reinforce a DBT skill for a client.
3. Utilize a range of art media to build professional to build professional competence in leading clients to art-making in therapy.

Are you ready to expand your creative approaches with clients?

Join the course!

Course curriculum

  • 1
    Welcome
  • 2
    Unit I: Art Therapy and DBT
  • 3
    Unit II: Art in Acceptance
  • 4
    Unit III: Art in Change
  • 5
    Conclusion
  • Welcome Course Info Course Objectives & CE Information Tips for Uploading Your Images Suggested Art Supplies Art in DBT Experientials
  • Unit Overview and Directions Notes Art Therapy and DBT Key Aspects of Art Therapy Key Aspects of DBT Experiential #1: Power Animals Quiz
  • Unit Overview and Directions Notes Acceptance or Change? Art Making to Build Mindfulness Experiential #2: Mindful Mandalas Art Making to Build Distress Tolerance Experiential #3: Gift to Self Quiz Worksheet Examples for DBT in Acceptance Worksheet Examples for DBT in Acceptance, PDF version
  • Unit Overview and Directions Notes Acceptance or Change? Art Making to Build Emotion Regulation Experiential #4: Flowers from Garbage Art Making to Build Interpersonal Effectiveness Experiential #5: Inside/Outside Mask Quiz Worksheet Examples for DBT in Change Change Skills Worksheet Examples
  • Completing the Course References Course Evaluation How To Get Your CE Credits

Instructor

  • Jessica Heckwolf

    Instructor

    Jessica Heckwolf

    Jessica is a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist (LCMFT) and board certified, licensed clinical professional art therapist (LCPAT). She earned a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with Specialization in Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University, graduating with honors. Jessica has 15 years’ experience working with adults, families, children, and adolescents in inpatient, community, residential, day treatment, and school settings in Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Boston. Jessica has taught art therapy courses and workshops in university, hospital and professional conference settings. Her work on coordinating art therapy and DBT was published in The Arts in Psychotherapy. Jessica’s treatment approach is rooted in family systems and psychodynamic theory. Additionally, she utilizes skill training based in dialectical behavioral therapy to foster lasting change towards healthy living and relationships. Central to Jessica’s psychotherapy approach is use of art making as an agent for insight and catalyst for change. Jessica currently works in private practice in Annapolis, MD (https://www.ultramarinecounseling.com/our-therapists). She is an active painter and loves whale watching.

Bonus Material

  • Downloadable Handouts

    Note PDFs in each unit can be downloaded for ongoing reference. The handouts will include the essential information from the unit, as well as all the art intervention ideas that are shared, so you don't have to take notes.

  • Consultation

    Have questions or want some consultation as you go through the course? All participants will be able to discuss, ask questions, and get suggestions through a private Facebook group and a course Discussion group.

Feedback from past participants:

"I really enjoyed this CE and the combination of handouts, video, and discussion area to share artwork.  And especially that I could work it at my pace. I thought the feedback on our experiential sharing was really supportive and insightful. "

"This course has been so impactful for my practice with teens...The art experiential were so well matched to the DBT concepts and were very effective when tried with young people."

"It was such an engaging educational experience and just what I needed to boost my therapeutic skills."

"The course allowed me to ignite my creativity again for the use of art within my therapeutic sessions."

"I loved this course.  I felt that I got way more than I thought I would.   It actually ended up becoming more of a self care/personal journey for me.  That being said I am walking away with some real tools to use in my work."


FAQ

  • Who is this course for?

    This course is for all licensed and pre-licensed counselors and therapists that want to add art making to sessions to deepen Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skill building clients. Maybe you are a mental health professional with some DBT training and want to reenergize and implement new ways to help clients gain DBT skills. Maybe you are an art therapist growing DBT competency and want to learn how to coordinate DBT approaches with your art therapy foundations. This course is considered Intermediate level. You should have a master's level foundation in mental health treatment. Previous introductory work in DBT and Art Therapy is helpful but not a requirement. (If this course isn't right for you, be sure to look at the full list of available courses at https://creativityintherapy.thinkific.com/collections)

  • Does this course give me the education to do Art Therapy or be an Art Therapist?

    No. Art Therapists (and Expressive Arts Therapists) attend graduate level 2-3 year training and have extensive supervision. There is a lot more to "art therapy" than what is covered in this course. However, this course aims to help other clinicians use art with their own scope of practice, so that they can help their clients in a way that is better informed, more effective, and ethical.

  • Does this course provide comprehensive training or a certification in DBT?

    No. This course is intended to expand and deepen participant’s ability to use art making with clients to help build DBT skills. While an overview of key DBT skills will be included, this is not a comprehensive DBT training program.

  • I'm not sure I have time to do the course right now. Can I sign up later?

    Current registration is only open until the end of November, and we are unsure whether this course will be offered again in the future. One of the great advantages of an online course it that you can work at your own pace and around your own schedule. If you are interested in the course, I encourage you to sign up now and then work through the course when you are able. The only deadline to be aware of is that in order to qualify for the CE credits, you must complete the course within one year.

  • Do I need to have art supplies or anything else?

    You'll need a variety of art materials to complete the hands-on art experiences. Supplies that you'll need include collage images, drawing media like pencils and markers, paint, and your choice of 3D media. Most of the activities give you some choice about what media you use. You also need a camera (phone is fine) to photograph and upload your completed artwork for each unit.

  • What if I have questions during the course?

    We'll be happy to help! Email us at anytime if you have questions about the course or the material that you are learning. If you are wondering how to implement the ideas with particular clients or need more resources, feel free to ask by email, in the Facebook group, or in the course Discussion feature.

  • Can I get CEs for this course?

    A Certificate of Completion will be provided for all participants when they complete the course. If you choose, you may take a post-test through our co-sponsor CE-Classes.com to obtain their certificate for 3 APA-approved CEs (available for MFTs, professional counselors, social workers, and psychologists). Licensed professionals should consult their regulatory board rules to verify that this course meets their requirements. CEs may be used for ATCB re-certification, but art therapists are encouraged to verify the current CE requirements.

  • What types of clients will these ideas be helpful for?

    In my own work as an art therapist, I use art with a wide variety of clients and this experience is reflected in the course. So whether you work with children or adults, individuals or groups, in a private practice or a more intensive setting, this course will have helpful information and ideas that you can put into practice.

  • What if I'm still not sure this course is for me?

    Feel free to email us at [email protected] if you have other questions before signing up. Either Carolyn or Jessica will get back to you with our thoughts.

Price: $105

Cancellation/refund policy: You may cancel for a full refund within 48 hours of purchase. No refunds will be given if more than 25% of the course has been completed

I'm so excited to have you join me for this new course! Making art can enhance and bring to life DBT skills for your clients. You will leave this course with a deeper understanding of how to plan and implement a range of art making activities that will strengthen DBT skills for your clients.

Grievance Policy

Creativity in Therapy seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Please submit a written grievance to: Creativity in Therapy at [email protected]. Grievances would receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems. 

Accommodations for the Differently Abled

Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact: Carolyn Mehlomakulu, carolyn@creativityintherapy, 512-660-7279.

Conflicts of Interest

There are no known conflicts of interest for the course.

CE Approvals

CE-Classes.com is approved by: 


• The American Psychological Association (APA) CE-Classes.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE-Classes.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
• Florida Certification Board
• The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Provider #852 BAP-Expires 3/31/2025
• The California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences, BBS, recognizes relevant course work/training that has been approved by nationally recognized certifying bodies, such as APA, to satisfy renewal requirements.
• California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) Provider Number OS-12-174-0225 Expires 02-2025
• The Texas Board of Social Work Examiners – CE-Classes.com meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education. Effective 1/1/24, at least half of the 30 hours must be obtained from a provider listed in 801.261(f). This course meets that requirement.
• The Texas Board of Professional Counselors – CE-Classes.com meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education.  Effective 1/1/24, at least half of the 30 hours must be obtained from a provider listed in 801.261(f). This course meets that requirement.
• The Texas Board of Marriage & Family Therapists – CE-Classes.com meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education. Effective 1/1/24, at least half of the 30 hours must be obtained from a provider listed in 801.261(f). This course meets that requirement.
• Massachusetts Authorization Number: (TBD)
• Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board - Approval from a state licensing board for counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists is accepted by the OH CSWMFTB.
• New York Social Work Board – CE-Classes.com is recognized by the New York State Education
Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0120.
• New York Mental Health Practitioners Board CE-Classes.com, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0260.
• New York Psychology Board CE-Classes.com, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0211
• Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure (LPCs, LMFTs and LBCs)
• South Carolina - CE-Classes.com is approved by the S.C. Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapist, Addiction Counselors, and Psycho-Educational Specialists (#4696).
• Illinois - CE-Classes.com is a registered social work CE sponsor by the State of Illinois. License 159.001607 Expires 11/30/2025
• The Florida Board of Nursing (CE Provider #: 50-4896) Expires 10/31/2026 Do not send certificates to the Florida Board of Nursing. You must keep this certificate for 4 years.
• The California Board of Registered Nursing. CEP 15647 Expires 11/30/2024.
• This course is NOT available for NBCC credit
• This training does not offer ASWB ACE credit to social workers.

This material is for informational purposes only. It should be used within the context of appropriate clinical licensure. This course is not intended to provide mental health treatment or replace graduate level training in mental health.