Our Frequently Asked Questions
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Our Frequently Asked Questions
Are these courses accredited?
Short answer: Yes! Industry recognition and approval is essential for holistic therapist training courses.
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Long answer: There is a wide range of holistic and complementary therapy modalities that do not fit into the Government Training Frameworks in most countries. These include Yoga, Holistic Counselling, Empowerment Coaching, Meditation Teaching, Creative Therapy and Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapies, just to name a few. There is a misconception that these modalities are unregulated, but they are, in fact, industry-regulated or self-regulated.
Courses for modalities that are industry-regulated instead of government-regulated do not provide a nationally recognized/government-accredited qualification. These courses provide graduates with an internationally approved and industry-recognized qualification, which meets the requirements to practice as a therapist under these modalities, join industry associations and get professional indemnity and liability insurance.
There are two types of associations.
Modality-based Associations are usually owned by the same people who own training colleges within that industry. Or they require members to complete ongoing training through colleges they own or have a financial partnership with. They only focus on that particular modality and they often only accept membership from graduates of their own training courses. There is nothing essentially wrong with that. Provided there is plenty of transparency, value, and support for members and the course you are going to study is not ONLY accredited with a modality-based association. If it is, it could mean the college has simply started an association to provide accreditation for their own course. Many modality-based associations only approve of a specific style, technique, tradition, or lineage of that therapy. Some modality-based associations give the strong impression that you must be registered with them in order to practice as a therapist. This is untrue and very concerning in a self-regulated industry.
Industry-based Associations are not owned by the same people who own the training colleges. They are separate, not associated with the colleges, and are non-biased. Their purpose is to protect the end-user and maintain the integrity of holistic and complementary therapies.
They may offer training courses and professional development training, but there is no requirement for members to participate. They accept members from a very wide variety of different therapeutic modalities. They are not concerned with specific styles, techniques, traditions, or lineages. They are concerned with the quality, educational content, course outcomes, scope of information, where that information originated, and the integrity of the course provider. They have a rigorous process that course providers must adhere to before they provide approval for any training courses.
Our courses are recognised with The International Institute of Complementary Therapists, The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, The Complementary Medical Association and The International Association of Therapists. All have excellent global reputations and rigorous screening processes.
We are very proud to have their stamps of approval. Our graduates can join the IICT, IAOTH, IPHM, and the CMA and get professional practitioner insurance.
Mind Body Education courses are all evidence-based and incorporate a wide variety of techniques and styles.
Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapist (HICAT) and Master Practitioner of Holistic Creative Therapy graduates are able to join the HICAT Association and Mind Body Education Practitioner Support Network (this is a newly established modality association to support Practitioners - It's free and provides ongoing support and networking owned by Mind Body Education). In the UK and globally you may use the title Creative Arts Facilitator or Creative Therapist.
Members of all of the above associations can be listed on practitioner directories on all of these associations' websites to help drive potential clients directly to you, the qualified and industry-approved practitioner.
No matter where you decide to enrol, we recommend you only choose training courses with industry accreditation. You may not be able to obtain insurance or practice legally if you do not.



Art Therapists in the UK must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is the statutory regulator of the profession. The Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy Practitioner Training course and the Master Practitioner of Holistic Creative Therapy courses are not HCPC approved programmes and completing the courses will not lead to participants being able to register as an Art Therapist or to provide art therapy.
How are the courses structured?
Both courses modules will be divided into theory and practice sessions. In the HICAT Practitioner course a great deal of time will be spent exploring and participating in the creative arts and a wide variety of meditation styles, including movement meditation, mantra meditation, chakra meditation, guided creative visualisation, mindfulness and Zen meditation. The MPHCT course time is focused on an advanced exploration of art based therapy methodologies and their therapeutic applications. As well as practical hands on art based exercises and in-depth studies of holistic healing frameworks and their integration into client-centered practices.
Online students will spend around 10 hours per week studying either the HICAT or MPHCT course. HICAT Practitioner in person students will participate in all retreat style weekends and spend around 5 hours per week studying. Studies will include reading, watching videos, completing art projects, writing essays and answering quizzes.
There are some fieldwork components where you will need to involve a friend or family member or visit a professional practice, business or centre but we will guide and assist you with this. You will need to be able to take photos and videos and upload them onto your coursework submission forms. This is not difficult, and we can assist you to learn how to do this if you need us to.
Our online students, Assessors and Tutors are physically located in different places, but we are still able to enjoy a strong sense of community. The magic is even more real as we come together for our HICAT in person weekends!
There is a virtual classroom located on Facebook which is only for students enrolled in this course, where you will receive contact and connection with your classmates and information and guidance from your tutors.
There is a weekly Zoom call with your Tutor or Assessor where you can ask questions and get support in real time.
You do not have to participate in the real time workshops if you can’t or do not want to and you can watch them later at any time. You can also get support from your tutor and ask questions via email or telephone whenever you need to.



What topics are covered in the HICAT Practitioner course?
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Art Therapy (paint, watercolour pencils, charcoal & oil pastels)
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Tactile Therapy (sculpture, clay, construction, Sand play & environmental art making)
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Music, Tribal Rhythms, Medicine Drums & Sound Therapy
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Dance & Movement Therapy
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Role Play, Storytelling, creative writing & Drama Therapy
Theory topics covered in this course include:
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The cause & effects of stress
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The mind/body connection
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Physiology of the brain
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Left brain/right brain
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Unconscious beliefs and mental patterns Exploring emotions
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History of art therapy
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Creative therapies & health
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Why creative art therapies are effective
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Creative art therapies as emotional healing
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Creative art therapies for recovery & rehabilitation
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Art & developing intuition
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Drawing from within
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Colour & emotions
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Sound, vibration & the bodies cells
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The creative process
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Art appreciation
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Interpretation & diagnosis Compassion & non-judgment
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Learning Styles
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Personality types
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Managing groups
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Supporting clients
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Working with PTSD
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Working with anxiety disorders
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Working with grief & loss
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Working with children
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Working with depression
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Working in medical settings
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Developing community arts projects
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Meditation for every day
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Meditation in action through art
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Meditation with music and movement
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Gratitude & art journaling
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Holistic counselling skills for creative arts therapists
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Networking & referring
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Ethics, safety & professionalism
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Setting up your own practice
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Creating a specialised practice
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Resources, materials & equipment
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Marketing for creative arts therapists
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Legalities, insurance and joining associations
What topics are covered in the Master Practitioner course?

Module 1: Principles of Art based Therapy
Practical: Drawing (Coloured Pencils)
Module 2: Stress and the Fight or Flight Response
Practical: Mixed Media Collage
Module 3: Anatomy of a Brain
Practical: Sculpture (Clay)
Module 4: Assessment and Diagnosis in Holistic Art Based Therapy
Practical: Painting (Acrylics)
Module 5: Colour Therapy
Practical: Painting (Finger Painting)
Module 6: Principles of Positive Psychology
Practical: Drawing (Charcoal)
Module 7: Working with Offenders, Abusers and Aggressors
Practical: Sculpture (Mixed Media Assemblage)
Module 8: Working with Self-Harm and Eating Disorders
Practical: Body Art
Module 9: The Mind-Body Connection
Practical: Mask Making
Module 10: Art and the Development of Intuition
Practical: Painting on canvas (Acrylics)

Module 11: Mindfulness
Practical: Painting (watercolours)
Module 12: Holistic Counselling Skills for Creative Therapists (Part One)
Practical: Photography and digital art project
Module 13: Visualisation & Vision Boards
Practical: Mixed Media Collage – Vision Boards
Module 14: Holistic Counselling Skills for Creative Therapists (Part Two)
Practical: Drawing (Pastels / Crayons)
Module 15: Holistic Counselling Skills for Creative Therapists (Part Three)
Practical: Papercraft Book Binding / Journal Making
Module 16: Menopause
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 17: Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
Module 18: Working with Adolescents
Practical: Mixed Media Collage
Module 19: The Art of Nature
Practical: Mandala Making (Natural and Found Materials)
Module 20: Holistic Counselling Skills for Creative Therapists (Part Four)
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)

Module 21: Self-Healing Through Art
Practical: Drawing (Pastels)
Module 22: ADHD and the Autism Spectrum
Practical: Sculpture (Mixed Media Assemblage)
Module 23: Depression
Practical: Fiber Arts (Textile Collage)
Module 24: Gender Identities
Practical: Painting (Oil Paints)
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Module 25: Exploring Spirituality in Art as Therapy
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
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Module 26: Sexuality
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 27: Emotion Work
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 28: Substance Abuse and Addiction
Practical: Painting (Finger Painting)
Module 29: Working with Victims of Abuse
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
Module 30: Grief and Loss
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)

Module 31: Anxiety
Practical: Sculpture (Mixed Media Assemblage)
Module 32: Working with Senior Adults
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 33: Art Based Therapy for Children
Practical: Painting (Finger Painting)
Module 34: Family Therapy
Practical: Sculpture (Clay)
Module 35: Educational, Medical and Corporate Settings
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
Module 36: Art Based Therapy for Mental Illness
Practical: Mask Making
Module 37: Chronic Illness and Pain
Practical:Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 38: Working with groups
Practical: Painting (Mixed Media)
Module 39: Working with individuals
Practical: Drawing (Charcoal)
Module 40: Setting up Your Own Holistic Creative Therapy Practice
Practical: Drawing (Mixed Media)
How much do the courses cost?
HICAT Practitioner Online investment
We offer 3 ways of investing in your online HICAT Practitioner Training
In full
£1,398
to invest in full on enrolment
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Investment complete​
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3 month plan
£500
via x3 monthly instalments
£1,500 in full
The first month’s fee must be paid on enrolment and then by the last working day of each month following the start of your course.
10 month plan
£165
via x10 monthly instalments
£1,650 in full
The first month’s fee must be paid on enrolment and then by the last working day of each month following the start of your course.
We are able to offer online part-scholarships for a few students who may require financial assistance.
An application process applies. Please apply here.
HICAT Practitioner In Person investment
We offer 5 ways of investing in your HICAT Practitioner In Person Training course
Option 1
The course
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£3,700
to invest in full on enrolment​
Option 2
The course +2 nights single occupancy B&B
£5,500
to invest in full on enrolment
Option 3
The course
£487.50
via x8 monthly instalments
£3,900 in full
Option 4
The course +2 nights single occupancy B&B
£712.50
via x8 monthly instalments £5,700 in full
Early Bird offer save £500 when you enrol before the end of January 2025*
Option 5
Personal Payment Plan
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We may be able to agree a personal payment plan to support you with your In Person Course investment. - for example pay a lump sum upon enrolment and split remaining fees across the months of the course.
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Please contact our Director Katie for agreement and your Investment Coupon Code (katie@devine-creative.com)
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*HICAT In Person ONLY
Master Practitioner online investment
We offer 3 ways of investing in your Master Practitioner Training course
In full
£3,100
to invest in full on enrolment
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Investment complete
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6 month plan
£550
via x6 monthly instalments
£3,300 in full
The first month’s fee must be paid on enrolment and then by the last working day of each month following the start of your course.
14 month plan
£250
via x14 monthly instalments
£3,500 in full
The first month’s fee must be paid on enrolment and then by the last working day of each month following the start of your course.
*Anyone that has already been a student with Devine-Creative and has completed a course with us will receive a 20% reduction in course fees, please contact Katie for a Coupon Code (Discount Code)

Will I be able to get support when I need it?
Absolutely!
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You will be able to contact your tutor directly via email
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You can make appointments to have your tutor telephone you
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Our exclusive students Facebook page is active and you will be able to connect with your tutor and other students
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You will be able to join our weekly Zoom meetings to ask questions and get support or, if you can’t attend, you can watch the recording later
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You will also be assigned a “Study Buddy”. You can connect with your Study Buddy to give and receive support, practise counselling and coaching skills and do activities that require a partner
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You will continue to be supported upon graduation via our Facebook community, ongoing Zoom calls and memberships with the Mind Body Education HICAT Association and Mind Body Education Practitioner Support Network


What materials and equipment do I need to complete the courses?
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You will need to be able to read and write in English
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Access to a computer with internet connection
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Email access
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Be able to open and read PDF’s (we can help you with this)
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A moderate level of computer literacy (send emails, internet, upload documents and photos)
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Ability to take photos and videos (your phone is perfect for this)
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Ability to watch and listen to videos on YouTube
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You will be provided with a materials list that will cost no more than £150. This will include all the art materials and resources you will need throughout your course. You do not have to purchase all the items at once
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Time management skills - You need to set aside study time each week to complete your course

What are the benefits of being creative?
There are so many benefits to being more creative, many believe that you have to be ‘artistic’ to enjoy or gain a benefit from being creative. Creativity is in all of us, we might just have forgotten or be a bit out of practise!
Holistic therapies focus attention on the Mind/ Body/ Spirit or Soul relationship. Much of the benefit of Holistic Creative Therapy lies in its power to effect positive change in our Autonomic Nervous System through balance of its two subsidiary parts; The Sympathetic Nervous System which simulates the stress response and the Parasympathetic Nervous System which simulates pleasure, relaxation and repair responses. Understanding (Mind) and feeling (Body) this relationship brings awareness of the Soul/ Spirit - our internal most authentic self.
Just some of the benefits of being creative are suggested below – your own list may house many, many more benefits – we believe the benefits of creativity are potentially limitless in supporting our health and wellbeing.
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Being creative is a beautiful and effective way of stimulating and relaxing the mind
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Become mindful, express your creativity, learn, grow and accept
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Slow your breathing
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Calm your body and mind
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Discover the moment - become aware of all of your senses, observe yourself
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Gently explore your physical and mental health while opening to your soulful spiritual self
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Connect with you
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Be
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Reignite your imagination, bring forth your carefree inner child
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Re-discover lightness, a sense of freedom, play, have fun, let go
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Keep your magic alive, explore and re-discover the beauty of colour, writing, storytelling, music
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Improve your focus and concentration
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Discover new ways of expression
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Symbolise feelings and emotions in new ways
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Relieve yourself of stresses and concerns
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Enhance your problem solving skills
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Reduce stress and anxiety
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Lower your blood pressure
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Relieve symptoms of depression and trauma
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Creativity can change our beliefs
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Creativity encourages open-mindedness
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Creativity can push us out of our usual comfortable patterns and help us learn, discover and grow
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Accept and allow
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Recharge
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Heal

Can I apply for a Student Discount card when I enrol on these courses?
Yes!
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As you enrol on either of our courses you are eligible to apply for a TOTUM PRO (formerly NUS Extra – National Union of Students) Student Discount card.
Please know that Devine-Creative does not benefit from promoting TOTUM, but we think if there are savings to be had you ought to know about them!
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TOTUM PRO is a closed-group membership for learners and professional bodies, designed with the 25+ age group in mind offering access to discounts from 350+ high-street and online brands.
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We'll send you all the information you need upon enrolment or you can find out more now by clicking the TOTUM logo below
When do the next courses start?
We are enrolling for HICAT online courses commencing on Monday 3rd February and Monday 7th April 2025
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We are enrolling for HICAT In Person 2025 commencing on Friday 2nd May and for 7 weekends through to November 2025
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We are enrolling for Master Practitioner of Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy courses commencing on Monday 3rd MArch and Monday 9th June 2025
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We also have further online courses planned to commence Summer/Autumn 2025 you may ask to join the waiting list for these courses and will be advised when enrolments open...
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