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FOAT® Training Program: Certification

The FOAT® Training program can lead to the following certifications:

  • Certified FOAT® Practitioner or Certified FOAT® Facilitator

  • Certified Focusing Professional or Focusing-Oriented Therapist (FOT): Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

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Certification acknowledges advanced training and competence to apply FOAT® in working with others. After the successful completion of Level 4 and competency review, trainees are eligible to apply for Certification as a FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator with the Focusing and Expressive Arts (FOAT) Institute. In addition, interested trainees can apply at the same time to obtain an additional Certification as a Focusing Professional or Focusing-Oriented Therapist (FOT): Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®) through The International Focusing Institute (TIFI). 

 

Focusing and Expressive Arts (FOAT) Institute

Trainees who have completed the Level 4 requirements and competencies can apply to become:

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  • Certified FOAT® Facilitator

    • This designation is for trainees who are interested in applying FOAT in other fields or for personal enrichment.

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  • Certified FOAT® Practitioner

    • This designation is for trainees who meet the additional educational requirement: must have a Master’s or Doctoral degree in the arts therapies or counseling fields (or equivalent credential based on their country).

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If you are a Certified FOAT® Facilitator and later meet the Practitioner educational requirements, you can apply for a title change with the submission of updated documentation.

 

The International Focusing Institute (TIFI)

Trainees who meet the Certified FOAT® Practitioners and Facilitators requirements can apply for the following additional Certifications:

 

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  • Certified Focusing Professional: Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

    • This designation is for trainees who have completed Level 4 and meet the requirements to be Certified as a FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator.

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  • Certified Focusing-Oriented Therapist (FOT): Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

    • TIFI describes Focusing-Oriented Therapist (FOT): “One can only receive an FOT certificate if one is already a psychotherapist, as legally defined in one's own country, state or other jurisdiction.” (See TIFI website)

    • This designation is for trainees who meet the Certified FOAT® Practitioner education requirements, and have successfully completed a clinical practicum applying FOT and FOAT®.  Additional individual supervision may be required depending on competence.

Certification Requirements

Certification is competency-based. Completion of Level 4 training does not automatically lead to Certification.

The Training Director, Faculty, and the Trainee must all agree (felt sense) on readiness.

 

Focusing and Expressive Arts (FOAT) Institute

Both Certified FOAT® Practitioner and Certified FOAT® Facilitator require:

  • Completion of Level 4 requirements and competencies, FOAT Application Project, and FOAT Practicum.

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  • At least 25 hours of documented expressive arts learning/training. These hours can be gained through in-person/online courses or workshops, and may be prior to or during the FOAT® Training Program.

 

  • Certification Review and Competence Evaluation.

Certified FOAT® Practitioner

Must have one or more:

  • Master’s or Doctoral degree in the arts therapy field

  • Credentialed by one of the arts therapies professions (ATR-BC, REAT, R-DMT, MT-BC, etc.)

  • Clinical/counseling psychology, social work, marriage, and family therapy, or a related field in mental health (as legally defined in one's own country, state, or other jurisdiction).

Certified FOAT® Facilitator

For those interested in using Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts for professional application, such as in education, coaching, body-work, mindfulness and meditation training, spiritual direction, business, leadership, etc.; and/or personal application.

The International Focusing Institute (TIFI)

See TIFI website for: Certification Overview; Certification Types

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You must join as a member of TIFI as a Trainee, click here for membership information (unless you are already certified with TIFI).

Certified Focusing Professional: Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

Approved to be Certified FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator

Certified Focusing-Oriented Therapist (FOT): Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

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“It is given only to awardees who are legally authorized in their locale to work as psychotherapists/ counselors…” (TIFI)

Approved to be Certified FOAT® Practitioner

Practicum in Level 4 or after: Must be approved as clinical practicum practicing FOT and FOAT.

Individual Supervision: Depending on competence evaluation in FOT-FOAT, additional supervision may be required.

For those interested in becoming a Certified Focusing Trainer: Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®), granted by TIFI, an additional training module on how to train others in Focusing and FOAT® is required.  Training module information will be announced at a later date.

Steps for Certification

 

Focusing and Expressive Arts (FOAT) Institute

Certified FOAT® Practitioner and Facilitator

  1. Complete requirements and competencies for Level 4: Integration and Application of FOAT into Practice.

  2. Complete FOAT Application Project with final approval and Handout/Presentation.

  3. Complete FOAT Practicum (25 hours).

  4. Submit documentation of at least 25 hours of expressive arts learning/training.

  5. Submit Form: Request for Certification Review, along with degrees, transcripts, and certifications.

  6. Review and sign the FOAT® Ethics and Guidelines form.

  7. Pay Certification Review Fee (USD): $150.

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The International Focusing Institute (TIFI)

Certified Focusing Professional or FOT: Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

  1. Complete the above steps for Certification as FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator.

  2. Review TIFI's Certification page for steps to become Certified as a Focusing Professional/FOT: Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®).

    • You must join as a member of TIFI as a Trainee if you are not already certified with TIFI.  When joining, select Laury Rappaport to indicate that you are in training with her to become certified.  You can join any time!  There’s many benefits (courses for members, connections, etc.).  Fees are based on country, see TIFI Membership Fees.

    • Once you have been recommended, you pay TIFI a one-time Certification fee (based on country).  In addition, you will be eligible to attend the “Advanced and Certification Weeklong” (in-person or online-hybrid).

  3. On the Form: Request for Certification Review, indicate your intention to be certified by TIFI as a Certified Focusing Professional or FOT: Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®).

Maintaining Certification

 

Focusing and Expressive Arts (FOAT) Institute

Certified FOAT® Practitioner and Facilitator

To maintain certification/listing on our website:

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The International Focusing Institute (TIFI)

Certified Focusing Professional or FOT: Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

See TIFI “Maintaining Your Certification”: Click here.

  • Please note, to maintain your membership, you must pay TIFI annual membership fees (varies based on country).

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