Program Overview

Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Expressive Arts in Counseling (AEAC)

The AEAC Certificate Program is a multimodal, expressive arts-based learning experience that introduces the application of expressive arts within the counseling process. This program is now offered in a fully virtual format, making the power of arts-informed clinical exploration accessible to a wider audience of practitioners while maintaining the integrity of cohort-based, experiential learning.

Program Details

• Credit Option: Credit
• Program Type: Certificate
• Location: Garden City
• School: School of Social Work
• The program offers 44 CEs, consisting of 11 virtual sessions with 3 hours each session and 11 hours of asynchronous learning.

Eligibility

This certificate is open to social workers, psychologists, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, substance use professionals, professional counselors, and credentialed creative arts therapists who are interested in enhancing their clinical practice with expressive methods.

Educational Goals and Objectives

Educational Goals

The program introduces the expressive arts as an integrative therapeutic approach, combining psychology and creativity to promote healing, insight, and emotional expression. The training supports clinicians in developing an ethical and trauma-informed foundation for incorporating creative modalities into their work.

Educational Objectives

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• Summarize the history and theoretical foundations of each expressive arts modality
• Recognize scope of practice issues and relevant ethical considerations for non-credentialed use
• Identify certification and training pathways for each modality
• Apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and socially just approaches to creative work
• Use expressive methods to externalize emotions, support reflection, and process complex material
• Demonstrate sample exercises for engagement, closure, and group processing
• Begin adapting the expressive arts continuum to their own clinical population
• Share peer-facilitated activities and build community with like-minded practitioners

Program Outline and Dates

The program consists of 11 bi-weekly sessions, each 3 hours long, with additional asynchronous learning components. The topics covered include:

• Expressive Writing, Poetry & Metaphor in Counseling
• Using Visual Art in the Counseling Process
• Multimodal: Life Transitions and Aging
• Using Sound and Music in Counseling
• Incorporating Dance and Movement
• Multimodal: Arts with Children and Adolescents
• Using Drama Techniques in Counseling
• Action Methods of Psychodrama
• Multimodal: Substance Use & Trauma-Informed Care
• Multimodal: Closure, Loss & Arts-Based Supervision
• Panel Discussion, Wrap Up

Program Structure

• Total Contact Hours: 44 CE hours
• Session Format: 11 bi-weekly sessions, 3 hours each, plus 11 hours of asynchronous learning
• Delivery Mode: Live, synchronous virtual sessions via Zoom, with camera-on required for full participation, and fully asynchronous learning components
• Learning Model: Experiential, cohort-based with interactive small groups

Faculty

The program is led by a diverse group of experienced faculty, including:

• Nancy Scherlong, LCSW-R, PTR, CJT, M-S
• Shawna Vernisie, MHA, MA, LCAT, MT-BC, NICU-MT, PMH-C
• Craig Haen, PhD, RDT, CGP, LCAT, FAGPA
• Meredith Casimiro
• Britton Williams, LCAT, RDT-BCT
• Rebecca Versaci, MA, LCAT, RDT, CCLS
• Francesca DeBiaso
• Lillian A. Ankrah, ATR-BC, LCAT
• Daniel Summer

Credentialing Information

Adelphi University School of Social Work is an approved provider for continuing education credits for various professions, including NYSED Social Workers, LMHC, LMFT, LCAT, CASAC Renewal, Psychology, and ASWB ACE Social Work CEs.

Tuition Rates

• General Registration Fee: $1350
• Alumni, Faculty Practicum Liaisons, Adjunct faculty, AU Staff: $1140
• Payment plans are available upon request.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds are provided for cancellations made seven working days or fewer before the event. Credit towards a future workshop can be given up to 24 hours before the event.