International Expressive Arts Therapy Association

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Who We Are

Board of Directors | Committees

The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) is a non-profit, professional organization founded in 1994 to encourage the creative spirit. Our inclusive, culturally diverse organization supports expressive arts therapists, artists, educators, consultants and others using integrative, multi-modal arts processes for personal and community transformation.

What we do

Build worldwide community and offer an open forum for dialogue

IEATA provides a professional guild and an international network for bringing the arts into the world for growth, healing, communication and collaborative learning. We offer a semi-annual newsletter and sponsor bi-annual international conferences. Our website includes access to a members-only directory and other valuable information, a new bulletin board for sharing ideas, expanded member listings searchable by visitors to the site, and other features designed to foster community and connection.

Promote professional excellence and standards of practice for practitioners and consumers

IEATA has developed two tracks of credentialing procedures and ethics codes:

REAT registration is designed for those using the expressive arts in psychotherapy.

REACE registration includes expressive arts consultants and educators using the expressive arts in a broad range of approaches in education, organizational development, health fields and more.

Increase the recognition and use of expressive arts as a powerful tool for psychological, physical and spiritual wellness

IEATA sponsors an international conference biannually. Our eighth conference is scheduled for August 12-15, in Cambridge, MA, in conjunction with Lesley University. The theme is Expressive Arts in Social Action: Peace-ing Our World Together. Learn more >

Our Artists Committee engages artists, healers, educators, therapists and other facilitators in all aspects of expressive arts practices. We cultivate relationships with other professional organizations and academic institutions to increase awareness and expansion of the expressive arts.

Leadership

The inspired collaboration of our international board of directors nurtures IEATA’s heartfelt and democratic environment. Board members work through a wide array of committees and dedicate countless volunteer hours. Their caring and creative direction provides leadership, strength and forward movement of expressive arts around the world.

Learn more about the benefits of becoming a member >

Conscious Tribe by Evangeline Welch

WHAT ARE THE
EXPRESSIVE ARTS?

The expressive arts combine the visual arts, movement, drama, music, writing and other creative processes to foster deep personal growth and community development.

IEATA encourages an evolving multi-modal approach within psychology, community arts and education. By integrating the arts processes and allowing one to flow into another, we gain access to our inner resources for healing, clarity, illumination and creativity.