When Words Are Not Enough, Art Speaks.

Join India’s First & Most Established Expressive Arts Therapy Programme.

At the East West Center for Counselling and Training and Women’s Christian College (WCC), we don’t just teach therapy—we pioneer it. As the first institution in India to offer a structured, internationally benchmarked programme, we are proud to celebrate the shaping of world-class therapists since 2011. This course is open for all genders. 

Why Choose DEAT?

Most courses offer a single modality or a short-term workshop. We offer a clinical career path.

• Master the Full Spectrum: Don’t limit your practice to just dance or art. Gain fluency in Drama, Movement, Music, Visual Arts, and Creative Writing to reach every client.
• Clinical Depth: Go beyond general wellness. We equip you with the skills to treat trauma, anxiety, and depression in hospitals, schools, NGOs, and corporate settings.
• Global Mentorship: Learn from international professors and senior practitioners. The programme is directed by Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam, a pioneer with 30+ years of global experience.
• Real-World Application: With 622 training hours (including 120 hours of practicum), you leave with experience, not just theory.

The Exclusive Advantage:

• Small Batch Size: Limited to 20 students for personalized mentoring.
• Triple Certification:
  • Joint Diploma from East West Center & WCC.
  • Certificate from the Indian Institute of Psychodrama.
  • Certificate from the World Storytelling Institute.

This Course is ideal for:

This diploma is designed for professionals ready to integrate creative healing into their practice:

• Mental Health Professionals: Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, and Counsellors looking to expand their clinical toolkit.
• Healthcare Workers: Doctors, Nurses, and Occupational Therapists seeking holistic patient care methods.
• Educators: Teachers and Special Educators who want to reach students beyond traditional methods.
• Change Makers: NGO professionals working with trauma survivors, women, and children.
• Corporate Trainers & Coaches: Professionals seeking deep-impact behavioral tools.
• Spiritual Leaders: Priests and seminarians involved in pastoral care.

Eligibility:

• A minimum of Bachelors in Psychology, Fine Arts, or Social Work.
• Note: Applicants from other backgrounds are welcome but must pursue a Master’s in Psychology concurrently.

Course Calendar (2025–2026)

Location: Women’s Christian College, Chennai (Offline only)

• Dec 2025: 8th – 19th (December admission)
• Feb 2026: 2nd – 13th (February Admission)
• Apr 2026: 6th – 17th
• Jul 2026: 13th – 24th
• Dec 2026: 7th – 18th( December admission completes)
• Feb 2027; 15th -26th (February intake completes)

Attendance: 100% required

Course Structure

• Total: 622 hours | 35 credits
• Classroom learning: 422 hours
• Research project: 80 hours
• Practicum: 120 hours

Additional requirement: 40 hours of personal therapy with a therapist of your choice. Supervision is provided online or in person.

Our Promise:

This is more than a course, it’s a transformational journey that empowers you to use creativity to heal, inspire, and transform lives and empower communities, standing out as a professional therapist, educator, or coach in India and across Asia.

In a market of short courses and limited scope, the Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy Course that runsin Chennai remains the gold standard in India —a programme that none can match.*Admissions are open now.(December and February intake)

Fees & Application Process

We keep the course affordable for students across Asia while maintaining global standards.

• Application Fee: ₹2,000 + GST ₹360 (non-refundable)
• Seats: Only 20 per batch

Fees: Schedule for 2025/26

If you prefer Instalment option:

Installment schedule: (55000+ 55000 + 33000 + 20000) + 18%GST

*Please contact us for GST number in case of organisation payment.

Refund Policy: 

Once paid, fees are non-refundable (to secure your seat)
Fees will not be refunded if students drop out of the programme.
Students will be liable to pay fine in case of failure to pay within instalment schedule

How to Apply:

1. Fill in the registration form (Google form).
2. Pay the application fee via IMPS/NEFT.
3. Account Name: E-W Center for Counselling and Trg Pvt Ltd
   Bank: ICICI Bank, R K Salai Branch, Chennai – 600004
   A/c No: 602205044361 | IFSC: ICIC0006022
4. Email your form + payment proof to centerforcounselling@gmail.com.
5. You’ll hear from us within a week. If selected, confirm your seat by paying the first instalment.

For More Information on registration and course Contact:+91 98847 00135 / 36  

For Registration CLICK HERE

Training Team:

Dr Magdalene Jeyarathnam (Course Director)—Expressive Arts Therapist and Certified Psychodramatist, Magdalene has worked for over 30 years as a psychological counsellor, supervisor, and trainer. She has worked as a consultant to several governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). She served as a director on the board of the International Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Process from 2018 to 2025. Magdalene was the first psychodramatist in India and set up the first psychodrama institute, the Indian Institute of Psychodrama. She is also a pioneer in bringing expressive arts therapy training to India in collaboration with Women’s Christian College, Chennai, India. She is also a co-founder of the Expressive Arts Therapy Association of India. Her PhD thesis is how Expressive arts therapy and psychodrama are methods to heal depression and anxiety.

On this program she will teach expressive arts therapy, psychodrama, and poetry therapy.

Katia Verreault (Amsterdam) is a group facilitator, movement therapist, dance instructor, and founder of A Moving World—We Dance. Katia is a dance movement therapist, special needs teacher trainer, group facilitator, and dance instructor with extensive work experience in multicultural environments and community settings in the fields of specialized education, transcultural psychiatry, trauma, resilience-building, and dance movement therapy. Katia’s communication skills and participatory approach enable me to adapt to various clients and their needs.

She will teach dance movement therapy in the program.

Purvaa Sampath, MT-BC, NMT, is the founder and director of Mayahs’ Universe and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. She is one of the country’s few CBMT Board-certified music therapists and NMTs (Neurologic Music Therapists). In Bangalore, India, she works as a consulting music therapist with multiple institutions like FAME India, which caters to individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, and Cadabams Hospitals, which is a residential rehab and mental health facility. She has completed her master’s in music therapy from Colorado State University.

She is teaching music therapy on this program.

Dr. Eric Miller, Ph.D., (U.S.A./India) Dr. Eric is a scholar, trainer, and artist who directs the World Storytelling Institute (www.storytellinginstitute.org) here in Chennai. He has led storytelling workshops over the last 18 years for teachers, corporates, therapists, children, and others. His Ph.D. is in Folklore, from the University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. He has curated ‘The Chennai’s Storytelling Festival’ for the past 12 years.

He teaches storytelling therapy on this program.

Ms. Mina Dilip, a play therapist (certified by Leeds Beckett University, UK) and a sand tray therapist (certified by the Sand Tray Training Institute of New Mexico, USA). She holds a master’s degree in psychology from Madras University and an advanced diploma in child psychology from Stonebridge Associated Colleges, UK.

She teaches play therapy on this program.

Dr. Charithra K. Ballal is an executive board member of The Art Therapy Association of India (TATAI). She is at the forefront of advancing art therapy within India. Renowned for her innovative use of art as a therapeutic tool, Charithra has successfully integrated creative methods into her psychological practice, offering unique and effective treatment approaches.

She teaches art therapy on this program.

Prof. Maurizio Gasseau (Italy) is a Jungian psychodramatist, psychotherapist, and president of the Mediterranean Association of Psychodrama. Director of the Postgraduate School of Group Psychotherapy, University of Ivrea, Italy. He also runs the Social Dreaming Metrics online every week for over 5 years. He teaches psychodrama in over 40 countries.

He teaches psychodrama on this program.

Dr. Veena Easvaradoss, Consultant Psychologist, Former Head, Department of Psychology, Women’s Christian College, Chennai (Retd.) She has been a trusted collaborator and strong supporter since 2011. She played a pivotal role in launching the Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy as Head of the Department of Psychology at Women’s Christian College, Chennai. After retiring from her position at the college, she continues her work as a consulting psychologist, bringing decades of academic and clinical experience to her practice. She is also the co-founder of the Expressive Arts Therapy Association, India.

She teaches counseling on this program.

Bhaktiveda Dhaul Taragi is an expressive arts therapist, facilitator, and guide. She is the founder of Praanah Expressive Awakening; she integrates art, movement, ritual, storytelling, and breath-based practices to guide individuals into a deeper connection with their inner world. Her work is rooted in creating intentional, safe, and supportive spaces where authentic expression can unfold. Known for blending depth and playfulness, Bhaktiveda’s sessions invite participants to explore, heal, and transform through creative self-discovery. She brings over two decades of experience, holding space for individuals and groups to reconnect with their emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

We have 2 Supervisors for the course

1. Ravthesh Kaur, Expressive Arts Therapist, Alumnae of the Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapist
2. Shravan Suresh, Psychologist, Alumnae of the Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapist

Get in Touch

Have questions? Our team will guide you.

📧 Email: centerforcounselling@gmail.com

📱 Call/WhatsApp: +91 98847 00135 / +91 98847 00104 / +91 98847 00136