1. What are some of the reasons that people train at ISIS?
People come to ISIS to either enhance their professional skills or to re-train as expressive arts therapists. Many people are attracted to ISIS as a place for artistic and personal development. People in career transition or those who are just beginning their professional life are also attracted to theprogram.
2. What are the admission requirements?
Admissions criteria for the programme include a suitable educational background which normally consists of a bachelor's degree (BA, BFA, BSW) in fine arts, psychology, social work, etc.
Non-degree students with a thorough practical training in these areas will also be considered. Students are not expected to be professional artists, but should demonstrate a commitment to work in some artistic medium (creative writing, dance, theatre, music, visual arts, etc.). In addition, students will be expected to have some volunteer or professional experience in a therapeutic, helping or teaching role.
One year of individual therapy at the time of admission is also normally required. Each student's personal readiness for the programme will be evaluated through the admission process.
3. How much does ISIS cost?
ISIS tuition is currently $5300 per year. Tuition does not include required personal therapy, books on the core reading list and a materials fee.
4. Why is ISIS a three-year training?
This amount of time is necessary to develop both professionally and personally as an expressive arts therapist. At ISIS, students learn theoretical frameworks within which to use the arts as a resource; they gain practical experience in a variety of settings, and they acquire individual, group and community facilitation skills. In addition, students learn how to present the work and themselves to the larger professional community.
5. Can I work while I am training at ISIS?
Most students are able to work either part-time or full-time depending upon the flexibility of their jobs. In addition to class one evening per week and one weekend per month, ISIS students engage in practicum and studio work as well as personaltherapy, reading and written assignments. This averages about 20 hoursper week, from September to May.
6. What are the practicum requirements?
In the first year of the program, we find practicum placements for our students. In the second and third year, students are assisted in finding their own placements. We place students in a variety of settings some of which include; special education classes in schools, children and adolescent mental health agencies, day treatment facilities for adults with psychiatric disorders, addiction treatment facilities, homes for the aged, women’s shelters, hospice for women dealing with eating disorder issues, and many more. The training requires 600 hours of supervised practicum work over the course of three years, approximately one day perweek.
7. What happens after graduation?
After they graduate, students often move on to work in full or part-time capacities as expressive arts therapists. Most graduates combine work at agencies, schools or other institutions with part-time private work. Some of the places where graduates are or have been employed as expressive arts therapist in the Toronto area include: Toronto General Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Muki-Baum Association, Central Toronto Youth Services, J.D. Griffen Centre, Sheena’s Place, Hincks-Dellcrest Centre,Bellwoods Centre, Toronto Board of Education, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Baycrest Centre, Parkdale Community HealthCentre, L’Arche, Mt. Sinai Hospital. Graduates are also employed in other parts of Ontario and Canada.
8. What professional associations do
expressive arts therapists belong to?
ISIS-Canada belongs to the Coalition of Mental Health Practitioners. ISIS students, graduates and faculty can join to the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) http://www.ieata.org, the Ontario Society of Psychotherapists (OSP) http://www.psychotherapyontario.com, and the Ontario Association of Counselors, Consultants, Psychometrists, and Psychotherapists (OACCPP) http://www.oaccpp.ca, as well as other professional associations.
9. Can I get an academic degree from my training at ISIS?
ISIS-Canada is affiliated with the European Graduate School in Saas Fee, Switzerland. Qualified students can receive advanced standing towards the Masters Degree at either institution and pursue their studies towards a degree either concurrently or after their ISIS training is completed.
10. What other options are there for training at ISIS?
Foundations of Expressive Arts
Foundations of Expressive Arts is a one year course designed to help professionals expand their working skills to include principles and practice of expressive arts. This course can be taken for personal as well as professional development. This is a three-hour weekly class, running for sixteen weeks from October to April. After finishing all course requirements, you will receive a Certificate of Completion in the Foundations of Expressive Arts.
Knowing Through the Arts, An intermodal workshop series
This intermodal workshop series are facilitated by our talented and experienced graduates. We encourage both potential students for the ISIS programme and those interested in personal growth, to join us in exploring the process of the Expressive Arts and how they shape us as both creator and witness. Little previous experience in the arts or therapy is necessary for any of the workshops. Just bring your curiosity!
Please be sure to add your name to our mailing list so we can stay in touch.
