About Person-Centered Expressive Arts
Expressive Arts uses movement, sound, visual arts, creative writing and drama to foster healing, self-expression, insight, creativity, and higher states of consciousness.
The Creative Connection® process, as developed by Natalie Rogers, interweaves the various expressive arts to tap into the deep wellspring of creativity that is within each one of us. No artistic talent is required.
Moving or dancing with awareness opens us to feelings which can be expressed in color, line or form. When we write immediately after the movement and art, a free flow of words emerges. While most traditional forms of coaching, counseling and therapy tend to rely solely on verbal exchange, expressive arts uses a wide range of self-expression methods to help you gain insight and awareness. The emphasis is on the process.
The goal is not to create beautiful art, choreographed dance or publishable writing, but on self-awareness leading to positive action and therapeutic change.
Please contact Dr. Sue Ann Herron at sueannherron@comcast.net with any questions you may have about our program.
In a group or private session you might move physically to express an emotion that is difficult to articulate verbally, or use art to clarify a situation that is confusing. Appropriate guided visualization might be followed by journaling or drawing. You might be invited to act out a past or current situation or to focus on sensations in your body as a guide to your emotions. The expressive modalities are used in tandem with each other, and the results are often exponential.
Moving or dancing with awareness opens us to feelings which can be expressed in color, line or form. When we write immediately after the movement and art, a free flow of words emerges. While most traditional forms of coaching, counseling and therapy tend to rely solely on verbal exchange, expressive arts uses a wide range of self-expression methods to help you gain insight and awareness. The emphasis is on the process. The goal is not to create beautiful art, choreographed dance or publishable writing, but on self-awareness leading to positive action.
In a group or private session you might move physically to express an emotion that is difficult to articulate verbally, or use art to clarify a situation that is confusing. Appropriate guided visualization might be followed by journaling or drawing. You might be invited to act out a past or current situation or to focus on sensations in your body as a guide to your emotions. The expressive modalities are used in tandem with each other, and the results are often exponential.
Moving or dancing with awareness opens us to feelings which can be expressed in color, line or form. When we write immediately after the movement and art, a free flow of words emerges. While most traditional forms of coaching, counseling and therapy tend to rely solely on verbal exchange, expressive arts uses a wide range of self-expression methods to help you gain insight and awareness. The emphasis is on the process. The goal is not to create beautiful art, choreographed dance or publishable writing, but on self-awareness leading to positive action.
A Safe Space to Explore and Discover
Person-Centered Expressive Arts is unique in that it combines the expressive arts process with the in-depth theory and practice of the person-centered approach of Dr. Carl Rogers. To practitioners of Person-Centered Expressive Arts, the first priority is the creation of a safe space in which you can be free to explore your feelings. In the words of Carl Rogers, “When a teacher, parent, therapist or other facilitating person permits the individual a complete freedom of symbolic expression, creativity is fostered. This permissiveness gives the individual complete freedom to think, to feel to be, whatever is most inward within himself.” Such an environment is the hallmark of the Person-Centered Expressive Arts process.
The use of expressive arts in psychotherapy has evolved naturally as we come to understand the need to engage in activities that awaken and integrate all aspects of self—the body, mind, emotions and spirit. The expressive arts can help you rediscover your innate creativity and nourish your soul. It is an inner journey to creativity and self-acceptance. It can also be a sacred and often mystical experience.
Today Dr. Sue Ann Herron carries on Natalie Rogers’ legacy and teachings through the Person-Centered Expressive Arts Institute as its Executive Director. She also serves as Executive Faculty and Director for the PCEA Certificate Program. Please contact Dr. Herron at sueannherron@comcast.net with any questions you may have about our program.
PCEAT at The Westerbeke Ranch
PCEA as a Career
Person-Centered Expressive Arts is used with people of all ages across the globe. Practitioners can be therapists, social workers, educators, creativity coaches, consultants, pastoral counselors, and nurses. They are also professionals working in organizations, both for profit and nonprofit, which value creative engagement, greater communication, and non-traditional approaches to conflict resolution. Some of our graduates work with people individually in private sessions, while others facilitate groups, work in the community, or teach classes.
Our PCEA training program which begins in July 2025 is now open for enrollment. To learn more, please visit our Training Page.
Our Executive Director, Dr. Sue Ann Herron, would be happy to set up a phone, Zoom, or Skype session to discuss whether the program is right for you. Contact Dr. Herron.