Since 1998 — California’s leader in expressive arts therapy education
Turn your love of the arts into your profession
The Expressive Arts Institute offers accredited and professional training programs for therapists, coaches, educators, and career-changers — grounded in the intermodal approach pioneered at the European Graduate School.
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Four paths into expressive arts practice
Whether you hold a Master’s degree, a Bachelor’s, or you’re making a career change — there’s a program designed for where you are.
Accredited MA · Hybrid · 3 years
Master’s in Expressive Arts Therapy
An accredited graduate degree earned in partnership with the European Graduate School. For career-changers and practitioners ready for a full academic credential. Includes three required summer study periods in Switzerland.
Prepares graduates to apply for REAT through IEATA
Professional Diploma · Hybrid · 3 years · REAT eligible
Professional Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy
Advanced expressive arts training for those who already hold a Master’s degree in a qualifying field. Earn the REAT credential through IEATA without a second graduate degree.
Master’s degree required
Certificate · Hybrid · 12 classes · REACE eligible
Coaching Certificate in Expressive Arts
Twelve classes of arts-based coaching training for coaches, educators, facilitators, and helping professionals. Earn the REACE credential through IEATA. Open to a wide range of professional backgrounds.
No graduate degree required
Doctoral pathway · Hybrid
PhD Preparation Track (EGS Pathway)
For post-Master’s practitioners considering doctoral study at the European Graduate School. Includes Year 1 of the Master’s program and earns the EGS Q-AGS certificate.
Master’s degree required
Not sure which fits you? Compare all programs · Take the quiz
Founded by a pioneer in the field
Teaching expressive arts therapy since before it had a name
Judith Greer Essex, PhD, LMFT, REAT, ADTR founded the Expressive Arts Institute in 1998, when the intermodal approach to art-based healing was still emerging as a distinct field. A licensed therapist, registered expressive arts therapist, and trained dancer, Judith has spent five decades developing and teaching a practice that integrates movement, image, sound, drama, and story in service of transformation.
Today, EAI is California’s only fully integrated intermodal, interdisciplinary training program — and the only US institute offering an accredited MA in partnership with the European Graduate School in Switzerland, where the field itself was born.
New book by the founding director
Mastering the Practice of Expressive Arts Therapy: A Practitioner’s Guide
By Dr. Judith Greer Essex, PhD, LMFT, REAT, ADTR
A transformative resource grounded in fifty years of experience, rooted in the foundational theories of Paolo J. Knill. Whether you’re stepping into expressive arts therapy for the first time or deepening your professional practice, this book offers clarity, insight, and compassionate direction.
Get the bookWhere our graduates work
Schools and universities
Teaching creative arts integration, supporting social-emotional learning, and running expressive arts programs for students of all ages.
Hospitals and clinical settings
Working as expressive arts practitioners in inpatient, outpatient, and rehabilitation contexts.
Community and private practice
Running expressive arts groups, facilitating workshops, and building independent practices serving diverse populations — from nursery to hospice.
“Judith is the most gifted facilitator I have ever encountered. Her complete embodiment and use of the arts in healing brings amazing results. A whole new world opened up to me after being guided by her expertise and heart-warming sensitivity to the human condition.”
Amy Shamansky
From the EAI blog
Celebrating 30 Years of the European Graduate School
“Thirty years of creativity, collaboration, and transformation” This summer, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the European Graduate School. Once…
Read more
Grand Prize Winner of the Prebys SPARX Grant Challenge
Expressive Arts & the Prebys SPARX Grant: Painting a Brighter Future The Expressive Arts Institute is honored to partner with the VAPA Foundation,…
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Blooming Flower: Movement and Art Activity
This expressive arts activity from the Expressive Arts Institute invites you to welcome spring through body movement and dance. Learn…
Read moreGet insights from EAI
Research, practice tools, and program updates — delivered to therapists, coaches, and educators integrating the arts into their work.
Your professional education in expressive arts therapy begins here.
Book a free info session with our team — we’ll answer your questions, tell you about the programs, and help you figure out if EAI is the right fit.
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