Therapeutic Use of Person-Centred Creative Arts - Introduction Course Sept 2026

This APCCA Level 1 introduction course is for anyone who wants to develop their creativity, self-awareness, improve their wellbeing and discover how powerful creative arts practice can be. You will develop your understanding of the relevance of creativity to mental health and well-being and of its benefit to the therapeutic process.

Please note the course consists of 3 sessions over 3 consecutive Tuesday evenings:-

8th September 6 pm - 8.30 pm

15th September 6 pm - 8.30 pm

22nd September 6 pm - 8.30 pm

The course is an ideal first step to training on our Level 2 certificate course.

On this course, participants will:

• Explore the importance of creativity
• Learn about the person-centred approach to creative arts practice
• Engage with experiential learning
• Develop self-awareness
• Develop creativity and confidence
• Develop an understanding of the relevance of creativity to the therapeutic process

Participants will receive a CPD certificate of attendance for 10 hours.

The course contains a combination of experiential work, theory, discussion, and creative arts practice. Students will need to provide:

• A book to use as an art journal
• Art materials, ideally a set of basic paints, pastels, pencils and paper.
• Creative home-work activities between sessions 1 and 2.

Read what some past students have said about the course:

"Being among such like-minded people and connected to the person-centred creative art tribe has reconnected me to the magic, flow and wholeness of being on a journey of new imagining and awakening dreams."

"This course helps people reconnect with their creative intelligence in varied and meaningful ways, and they leave with a different understanding of their creativity and its relevance in their lives."

"Such a lovely inspiring course - I thoroughly enjoyed it!"

Course Tutor:

Ani de la Prida, MA, MBACP is a psychotherapist, creative arts counsellor, supervisor and author who brings a person-centred and pluralistic philosophy to her work. She is passionate about creative approaches to therapy with over twenty years’ experience working with children, young people, adults and groups in a wide variety of settings.

Ani is co-founder of the Association for Person Centred Creative Arts (APCCA ). She currently has a small private practice and her research interest is in creative arts and the use of digital media in therapy.

Her recent publications include The Pluralistic Therapy Primer, What Works in Counselling and Psychotherapy Relationships, Person-centred creative arts therapies in The Tribes of the Person-Centred Nation and Demedicalised counselling and psychotherapy with children and young people in People not Pathology.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I attend if its an online session?

We will use Zoom, a popular video conferencing platform which is free to download and use with a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

What else do I need?

A quiet space to enjoy the workshop where you wont be overheard, and some paper and pens/pencils/crayons or even paints, or an iPad or similar with digital art app - in fact any materials you have to hand and like to work with.

Do I need to keep my webcam on?

Yes, as it will help you to feel part of the whole group experience - and will help to put other people at ease in the group, too.

Do I have to be good at art?

Not at all! The workshop is about the creative process and our aim to help you let go of any self criticism you may have about what you create.

For further information please visit www.apcca.org.uk

or email us at training@apcca.org.uk