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Upcoming FOAT Trainings, Workshops, and Events
Roots, Branches, and Wings Series
Thursday, May 8, 2025 5:00 - 7:00pm PDT / 8:00 - 10:00pm EDT / Click here for your time zone
Asian Focusing Methods
Presented by Akira Ikemi, Ph.D.
Open to all levels of experience in FOAT, Focusing, and Expressive Arts
Asian Focusing Methods evolved out of Akira’s experiences in Focusing within meditation. Asian Focusing is a mindful path to Focusing, incorporating two basic principles– experiencing and becoming aware (sati). It is embedded in an Asian attitude of ‘no-self’. Thus, instead of a ‘me’ who is trying to focus, or a ‘me’ who is checking for issues in life, or a ‘me’ who is trying to clear a space– thoughts just arise and dissolve; a felt sense may come and it may go.
Currently, Akira has developed three Asian Focusing Methods: Blue Sky Meditation, Kansoh Focusing, and Kanga Focusing. In this presentation, Akira will offer two demonstrations: Kansoh Focusing and Kanga Focusing. Kansoh Focusing includes observing thoughts; Kanga Focusing incorporates a method of observing selves. Gratitude and compassion– “May you be well and happy”– permeate Asian Focusing Methods. Akira’s enriching presentation will also include experiential exercises for participants to practice with each other; and time for questions and answers.
Roots, Branches, and Wings Series
Monday, July 21, 2025 5:00 - 7:00pm PDT / 8:00 - 10:00pm EDT / Click here for your time zone
Person-Centered Expressive Arts: The Unfolding Creative Connection®
Presented by Fiona Chang, Ph.D., RSW, REAT
Open to all levels of experience in FOAT, Focusing, and Expressive Arts
This presentation includes a brief overview of the development of expressive arts in Hong Kong and the influence of the pioneering work of Natalie Rogers– founder of Person-Centered Expressive Arts (PCEA) and the Creative Connection®. The humanistic principles of Person-Centered Expressive Arts are in line with the Chinese philosophy of loving-kindness, compassion, caring, patience, and open-mindedness.
Fiona will also present examples demonstrating the application of Person-Centered Expressive Arts, including working with couples and cancer, trainees in Nepal, and more. Through the Creative Connection®, different arts modalities are integrated– fostering an inner permission to create, play, listen, explore, understand, accept, and release. Participants experiencing Person-Centered Expressive Arts learn an effective, creative approach to grow and live. Experiential practice exercises will be included to experience the Creative Connection®.
Roots, Branches, and Wings Series
Monday, November 10, 2025 3:00 - 5:00pm PST / 6:00 - 8:00pm EST / Click here for your time zone
Body Mapping with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Art Therapy Approach
Presented by Cornelia Elbrecht, MA, AThR, SATh, SEP
Open to all levels of experience in FOAT, Focusing, and Expressive Arts
This presentation provides an introduction to Guided Drawing®– an approach developed by Cornelia Elbrecht that uses rhythmic bilateral repetition to explore emotions and felt sensations in the body as flowing or blocked internal movements. Trauma manifests physiologically as bracing patterns, tension, pain, or numbness, accompanied by strong emotions. In Guided Drawing®, the focus is not on the story of what happened, but on the implicit responses needed in that present moment. The process is self-guided, which is profoundly empowering for the client.
Clients draw their involuntary motor impulses with both hands and closed eyes on large sheets of paper increasingly focusing on the movements needed to ease the felt tension or pain. Being able to apply a ‘self-massage’ or to complete a thwarted impulse to act can be surprisingly effective. The therapist has the option to introduce archetypal shapes as interventions to structure and support this bottom-up approach.
This presentation is both didactic and experiential. After presenting the core concepts of Guided Drawing®, Cornelia will teach three archetypal shapes that serve to resource clients, along with time for a self-directed experience of Guided Drawing®. There will be opportunities for sharing and question-answer.
Ongoing FOAT Trainings
FOAT® Training Program
Wednesdays, March 19 - June 25, 2025 10:30am - 1:30pm PDT / 1:30 - 4:30pm EDT / Click here for your time zone
Level 1: Foundations and Approaches of Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)
Facilitated by Lynn Pollock, MA, LMHC, REAT and Assistant FOAT Faculty
Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction to FOAT (or equivalent)
Level 1 provides a solid foundation of Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®) with an emphasis on deepening one’s embodied knowing of the main FOAT approaches– Focusing Attitude, Theme-Directed FOAT®, Clearing a Space with Arts, FOAT® Check-in, Working on an Issue, Self-Focusing, and Compassionate Listening. Trainees will also expand their understanding of the core concepts, skills and philosophy of Focusing, developed by Eugene Gendlin– felt sense, symbol/handle, felt shift, and life forward direction.
Learning FOAT and Focusing in Level 1 emphasizes learning the exercises for oneself– in order to understand deeply how the felt sense, creativity, and the body’s wisdom interacts and unfolds, while also being grounded in FOAT theories. The FOAT Partnership and small group practices during Level 1 open the doorway to learn about others’ processes and also provides a foundation for facilitation skills that are continued in Level 2. For information on our FOAT® Training Program, leading to certification, click here.
FOAT® Training Program
Mondays, April 7 - June 25, 2025 3:00pm - 6:30pm PT / Click here for your time zone
Level 4: Integration and Application of FOAT into Practice
Facilitated by Laury Rappaport, Ph.D., MFT, REAT, ATR-BC and FOAT Faculty
Prerequisite: Completion of Level 3: Advanced FOAT Practice Skills and Applications
This course provides advanced training and supervision in FOAT. Trainees continue their FOAT Application Project with a goal towards completion, and create a practicum for practicing FOAT with others. Individual and group supervision are provided. FOAT Partnerships and/or Trios with coaching are integrated to further refine skills, increase competence, and support self-awareness and self-care through FOAT. Readings, videos, and other resources are integrated into the training, along with an individualized Learning Plan to support each trainee’s unique interests. For information on our FOAT® Training Program, leading to certification, click here.
Eligible for CE Hours, more information coming soon!
Updates for FOAT® Training Program:
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Introduction to Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®) Self-Study is available– Completion fulfills the prerequisite for Level 1.
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Eligible for 3 CE Hours
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Level 1: Foundations and Approaches of Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®): The current training group is now closed.
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Level 2: FOAT Facilitation and Partnership Skills: The current training group is now closed.
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Level 3: Advanced FOAT Practice Skills and Applications: The current training group is now closed.
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Level 4: Integration and Application of FOAT into Practice: Registration open for trainees who have completed FOAT Level 3!
FOAT® Training Program
We are excited to launch our newly updated FOAT® Training Program! The training includes all of the previous content but it is now streamlined into 4 levels instead of 6. There is additional supervision and FOAT Coaching to strengthen the online learning format. In addition, awards and Certifications can be earned after Levels 2 and 4 respectively.
For more information, including course descriptions, costs, and more, visit our FOAT® Training Program Page!
