Level 1: Foundations and Approaches of Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

Click here to view the course page for more information and registration!

Course Description

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.

Prerequisite to take Level 1:
Introductory-level FOAT® course. Courses that fulfill this requirement include:

• Introduction to Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®) Self-Study or LIVE (3 CEs)
• FOAT course taught at an educational institution

Meeting Dates and Times

In Level 1, all eight Group Meetings will be held via Zoom. For this training series, participants must attend 90% of the Group Meetings per level (exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances with approval from Faculty).

Dates (2026): These dates are valid for the U.S.– please use the time converter to determine if the meeting dates will be the same for your time zone!

• March 4, 18
• April 1, 15, 29
• May 13, 27
• June 10

Time: 1:30pm - 4:30pm ET (Eastern Time) / Time zone converter

Cost

Early Bird (through February 10th)

• Pay in Full: $900, one-time payment
• Monthly Payment Plan: $225/month for 4 months

Regular (after February 10th)

• Pay in Full: $1000, one-time payment
• Monthly Payment Plan: $250/month for 4 months

Partial scholarships are available based on financial need. If you are interested in applying, please contact [email protected] for an application by February 4, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on February 11, 2026.

Faculty

Lynn Pollock, MA, LMHC, REAT, is an Expressive Arts Therapist in private practice in Massachusetts. Her clinical work includes over 14 years of experience working in community-based services with children and their families, and in her private practice she specializes in working with adults who struggle with mood, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment issues. Lynn received her Master’s degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in MA. She is a Certified Focusing Trainer and FOT: Specialization in FOAT® (TIFI) and Certified FOAT® Practitioner (FOAT Institute). She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and is fascinated by the intersection between EMDR and focusing. She has also recently co-produced a series of training videos, Creative Inspirations from the Field: Staying Engaged with the Arts.

CE Information

This course is approved for 22 NBCC CE Hours, sponsored by the Focusing and Expressive Arts Institute (ACEP#7596). Must purchase CEs for a separate fee of $45.

View the course page for more information and registration