The Create Institute is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to education and training in the field of expressive arts therapy. Established in 1991 and based in Toronto, the institute offers a comprehensive three-year training program designed to prepare students to become professionally skilled expressive arts therapists[4].

Mission and Philosophy

The Create Institute's mission is to train expressive arts therapists who are self-reflective, therapeutically proficient, and highly attuned to both verbal and non-verbal communication. The organization emphasizes the vital connection between human imagination, the arts, and life as a means of fostering personal growth and transformative change. It operates on the belief that collaborative artistic creation can generate new possibilities and promote healing in therapeutic, clinical, and community settings[2].

The institute maintains an inclusive educational philosophy, valuing diversity across race, socioeconomic status, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural background, language, and ability. Its curriculum and community reflect a commitment to multiplicity and the understanding of difference, fostering an environment sensitive to a broad spectrum of human experience[2].

Educational Programs

The Create Institute offers an intensive, arts-based curriculum that includes experiential, practical, and theoretical training. The core program spans three years, running annually from mid-September through mid-May. It integrates various artistic modalities through participation with internationally recognized artists and expressive arts therapists, enabling students to engage deeply with creative processes as part of their professional development and personal growth[1][4].

In addition to the primary training program, the institute provides shorter courses such as an eight-week Foundations program and clinical services accessible to the community, emphasizing affordable and inclusive therapy options[5].

Recognition and Impact

The Create Institute's three-year program is recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Over more than three decades, it has contributed significantly to the field of expressive arts therapy in Canada by preparing qualified professionals who integrate creative arts into therapeutic practice to address psychological, emotional, behavioral, and life transition challenges[4][3].

The Create Institute operates under the official business registration number 886568252RR0001.