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FOAT® Training Program:
Frequently Asked Questions
2023 - 2026

General

What's new in the 2023 - 2026 training program?

  • Instead of 6 levels of training, the newly formatted training has 5 levels. It includes the same learning content; it is just reorganized.

  • Beginning with Level 1, the FOAT trainings will include smaller supervision groups (maximum 10 - 12 people) to deepen the learning, and to provide greater FOAT Coaching and supervision.

  • Each training level will provide individual supervision:

    • 1 hour in Level 1

    • 2 hours in Levels 2, 3, and 4

    • 4 hours in Level 5

  • FOAT Coaching will be integrated into all levels of the training as a way to support cultivation of FOAT skillfulness and integrating theory with practice. 

  • Team taught by Laury Rappaport for additional FOAT Faculty and assistants.

  • Each trainee will have a FOAT Faculty contact for greater connection, support, and to answer additional questions.

General FAQ

 

Who is this program for?

The FOAT® Training Program is for anyone interested in learning about the integration of Focusing (developed by Eugene Gendlin) with the expressive arts.  FOAT can be applied in various contexts based on your interests– psychotherapy, art/expressive arts therapy, education, coaching, consulting, organizational and community development, health and wellness, meditation, spirituality, creativity, and personal growth.

 

The training begins with an introductory course that provides an overview of the main theory and practices of FOAT– and helps you to see if you are interested in further training, Levels 1-5. After successfully completing each level, you may decide whether or not you'd like to continue to the next. 

 

Please see our Training Page for course description and sequence.

 

How do I enroll?

Each level will have its own individual registration through our FOAT Online School. The registrations for each level will open a few months prior to their start date.

  • Introduction to Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)

    • Live course was on March 6, 2023.

    • Open enrollment for Self-Study: Click here to register

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

    • September 18, 2023 - December 18, 2023

    • Enrollment open through September 11: Click here to register

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  • Level 2: FOAT Facilitation and Partnership Skills

    • January 29, 2024 - June 3, 2024

    • Enrollment period TBA

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  • Level 3: Advanced FOAT Practice Skills and Applications

    • September 9, 2024 - March 10, 2025

    • Enrollment period TBA

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  • Level 4: FOAT Practicum and Supervision

    • May 5, 2025 - November 17, 2025

    • Enrollment period TBA

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  • Level 5: FOAT Train-the-Trainer

    • February 23 - July 27, 2026

    • Enrollment period TBA

  

If you would like to stay up-to-date with all training announcement, including registration openings, please sign up for our email list!

 

Do I have to do all of the Levels for training?

No! Our trainings are designed so that you can progress through them based on your interests. After successfully completing each level, you may decide whether or not you'd like to continue to the next. We trust that your felt sense will guide you to take the levels of training and/or certification that feel right.

 

Who are the creators and faculty of this program?

Laury Rappaport, Ph.D., LMFT, ATR-BC, REAT, is the creator of the FOAT® Training Program. She pioneered and developed the theory and practices of Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy (FOAT®) and Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®)– based on 40 years of clinical, community, wellness, and organizational applications.

  

The FOAT Faculty for this program are all Certified FOAT® Practitioners (FOAT Institute) and Certified Focusing Trainers: Specialization in FOAT® (TIFI):

  • Laury Rappaport, Ph.D., LMFT, REAT, ATR-BC

  • Doreen Meister, MA, LMFT

  • Grace Brillantes-Evangelista, Ph.D., RPsy, CSCLP

  • Lynn Pollock, MA, LMHC, REAT

  • Marise Lariviere, LMFT, ATR

 

Additional Certified FOAT® Practitioner/Facilitators and Certified Focusing Trainers (Professionals or Therapists): Specialization in FOAT® may join the trainings as assistant faculty or FOAT Coaches. To learn more about them, visit our Certified FOATs page.

Cert

Certification FAQ

 

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What can I get certified in through this program?

You may become certified as:

  • Certified FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator (granted by the FOAT Institute)

  • Certified Focusing Trainer (Professional or Therapist): Specialization in FOAT® (granted by TIFI)

 

What can I call myself once I become certified through this program? Can I call myself an "Expressive Arts Therapist"?

This training currently qualifies you to use following designations based on fulfillment of the proper certification requirements in advanced levels:

  

  • “Certified FOAT® Practitioner” or “Certified FOAT® Facilitator”

  • “Certified Focusing Trainer: Specialization in FOAT®” or “Certified Focusing Professional: Specialization in FOAT®” or “Certified Focusing-Oriented Therapist (FOT): Specialization in FOAT®”

 

This training program is meant specifically for FOAT® (Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts). It focuses on integrating Focusing and expressive arts into your setting (can be psychotherapy, social work, education, coaching, wellness, personal growth, arts, etc.). This training program is not meant for training to become a therapist or for any other certifications outside of the designations in the 2 bullet points above. You can only call yourself an "Expressive Arts Therapist" if you have the proper training.

Questions for

Certified FOAT® Practitioner and FOAT® Facilitator

What is a Certified FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator?

Becoming certified as a FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator acknowledges your advanced training and experience to work with others. Certified FOAT® Practitioners and Facilitators receive the same foundational and intermediate levels of training (Levels 1 - 3). In Level 4, trainees receive supervision that is specific to their application of FOAT– thus, supporting the pathway toward Practitioner or Facilitator.

 

What is the difference between a FOAT® Practitioner and FOAT® Facilitator?

The primary difference between the two designations is the educational requirement. Practitioners must have a Master’s or Doctoral degree in the arts therapies or counseling fields. The Facilitator designation is for anyone interested in applying FOAT in other fields or for personal enrichment. See below for clarification:

  • Certified FOAT® Practitioner: Must have a Master’s or Doctoral degree in the arts therapy field and/or credentialed by one of the arts therapies professions (ATR-BC, REAT, R-DMT, MT-BC, etc.); or clinical/counseling psychology, social work, marriage, and family therapy, or a related field in mental health.

  • Certified FOAT® Facilitator: For those interested in using Focusing and the expressive arts for personal and/or professional application, such as in education, coaching, body-work, mindfulness and meditation training, spiritual direction, business, leadership, etc. 

 

What are the requirements to become a Certified FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator?

Both designations require:

  1. Completing all competencies and requirements for FOAT Levels 1 through 4.

  2. At least 50 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.

  3. Prior to approval, you will have a Certification Review:

    • Submit documents: degrees, transcripts, certifications

    • Submit documentation (list or transcripts) showing 50 hours expressive arts learning/training

    • Schedule meeting with the Training Director (to take place after the conclusion of Level 4)

    • Pay review fee. See additional fees page for associated costs.

 

If I don’t have an expressive arts background, do I need to take courses in expressive arts in order to become Certified as a FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator?

Yes. There is a requirement of documenting at least 50 hours of Expressive Arts learning from in-person/online courses or workshops, completed prior to or during FOAT® Training.  

  

It is recommended that you take the following courses: 

  • Foundational course in expressive arts (theory and practice)

  • Variety of expressive arts that highlight art, dance-movement, music, drama, poetry, writing, intermodal, etc.

  • Ethics in expressive arts

 

If I become a FOAT® Facilitator and later meet the FOAT® Practitioner educational requirements, can I change my designation to FOAT® Practitioner?

Yes, a title change from FOAT® Facilitator to FOAT® Practitioner is possible. You must send in an application with documentation of your license(s) for review. Please contact the Training Director at office@focusingarts.com for more details.

 

What will I receive as part of being Certified as a FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator?

  • Connection with the Focusing and Expressive Arts (FOAT) Institute

  • Listing in the Focusing and Expressive Arts (FOAT) Institute directory of Certified FOAT® Practitioners and Facilitators

  • Receipt of all mailings and newsletters

  • To be part of a community to bring FOAT® to others and the world to enhance compassion, creativity, and inner wisdom

  • Eligible to enter Level 5 to become a Certified Focusing Trainer (Professional or Therapist): Specialization in FOAT®, granted by The International Focusing Institute (TIFI).

 

Do I need to get recertified as a FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator?

Yes - Every 3 years.  In order to become recertified, you need to stay actively involved in FOAT® practice.  FOAT® Practice groups will grow both in local communities, at the Focusing and Expressive Arts (FOAT) Institute, and internationally. The recertification is $150 every 3 years (price subject to change).

Questions for

Certified Focusing Trainer (Professional or Therapist): Specialization in FOAT®

What is a Certified Focusing Trainer: Specialization in FOAT®?

Certification as a Focusing Trainer (Professional or Therapist): Specialization in FOAT® is granted by The International Focusing Institute (TIFI). The purpose of this certification is to recognize the depth and competence in Focusing that you obtain through the FOAT® Training Program, along with your specialization in integrating the expressive arts with Focusing.  See TIFI Board Statement on diversity of approaches. 

 

TIFI offers three certifications at the Trainer level: Certified Focusing Trainer, Certified Focusing Professional, and Certified Focusing-Oriented Therapist (FOT). See TIFI website for the meaning of each certification. Because the FOAT® Training Program includes the integration of the expressive arts with Focusing, TIFI grants all the three certifications along with the designation, “Specialization in FOAT®.”

 

How do I become a Certified Focusing Trainer (Professional or Therapist): Specialization in FOAT®?

  • You must first become a Certified FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator with the FOAT Institute.

  • Successful completion of FOAT Level 5 and competence evaluation. 

  • Successful completion of Certification Review. See additional fees for associated costs.

  • Become a member of The International Focusing Institute (TIFI). See membership information here.

  • The Director of the FOAT Institute, who is a Certifying Focusing Coordinator (TIFI), recommends trainee for certification when above requirements and competence are met. 

 

If I am a Certified Focusing Trainer: Specialization in FOAT®, what trainings can I offer?

As a Focusing Trainer: Specialization in FOAT®, granted by TIFI, you are certified to offer Focusing Trainings at any level and you can integrate FOAT® into your teachings. See TIFI Board Statement on diversity of approaches. 

 

To offer an “Approved FOAT® Training” (Level 1 or higher) by the FOAT Institute, you must first submit a Request to Offer FOAT® Training Form for your proposed course or program that will  be reviewed by the FOAT Institute Director and Faculty.  To obtain this form, please contact our office at office@focusingarts.com.  If your proposal is approved, the FOAT Institute will add your training to their website as an “Approved FOAT® Training” (specifically offered outside of the FOAT Institute).

 

What will I receive as part of being Certified Focusing Trainer (Professional or Therapist): Specialization in FOAT®?

In addition to the benefits of being a Certified FOAT® Practitioner or Facilitator, you will now be a member of The International Focusing Institute (TIFI). Click here to see their Member Benefits page.

 

Do I need to get recertified as a Certified Focusing Trainer (Professional or Therapist): Specialization in FOAT®?

Yes, please see the “Maintaining Your Certification” section on the TIFI Certification page.

Focus Train

Don't see the information you were looking for?

Feel free to reach out to us at office@focusingarts.com with any questions you have about our FOAT® Training Program!

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