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Expressive Therapy Training

Barcelona 30 September – 4 October 2026

“The body remembers what the mind forgets.”  

Jacob Levy Moreno

Do you sense the limits of talk-based therapy when trauma still lives in the body?

This expressive therapy training integrates Jungian, somatic, and arts-based approaches so you can work with trauma, emotion, and imagination at a deeper, embodied level.

Psychodrama & Dramatherapy
Rewrite personal and relational narratives through role, movement, and symbolic enactment in a safely held group setting.

Expressive Voice Therapy
Use breath, tone, and improvised sound to release emotion, expand expression, and reconnect with an authentic voice.

Jungian & Archetypal Psychology
Work with symbols, dreams, and guided imaginal exploration to reveal unconscious patterns and deeper insights.

This training is designed for therapists, coaches, and health professionals — as well as artists, mind–body practitioners, and educators — who recognise that insight alone is not enough. It is also open to committed individuals on a personal healing path who are ready for structured, depth-based experiential work.

We see therapy not as fixing people, but as meeting the depth of our shared humanity — returning “psychotherapy” to its original meaning: care of the soul.

What to Expect

Experiential Learning
Engage in immersive somatic and expressive arts practices that settle the nervous system, soften defensive patterns, and safely access emotion.

Psychosomatic Tools
Learn practical mind–body and imaginal techniques to move beyond insight into tangible shifts in behaviour, relationships, and daily life.

Mindful Connection
Participate in collective therapeutic processes that foster authentic connection, reflective dialogue, and a grounded sense of belonging among peers.

Expert Guidance
Receive personalised support and supervision from Dr Jessica Bockler and Dr Swan Dao, with space to explore your specific professional context and personal edges.

Leave with

• A deeper understanding of the mind–body connection

• New tools for emotional release and creative breakthroughs

• Capacity to hold deeper, more transformative processes safely

• Confidence to apply these tools in your life and practice.

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Your Guides

Dr Jessica Bockler and Dr Swan Dao are accomplished expressive therapists, theatre makers, and scholars, each bringing over 25 and 15 years of international teaching experience, respectively. They both share a deep commitment to the transformative power of embodied art, creativity, and imagination.

As CEO and co-founder of Alef Trust, Jessica is a leading voice in integrative education and transpersonal psychology. Swan, founder and director of the Institute of Devotional Arts, is an acclaimed psychotherapist and experience designer known for pioneering experiential, arts-based approaches to healing.

Together, they bring a rare combination of scholarship,  therapeutic experience, and artistic practice — equipping you with the skills and confidence to facilitate profound transformation — within yourself and in those you serve.

Dr Jessica Bockler is a distinguished psychologist and theatre practitioner with over 25 years of experience in expressive arts facilitation, specialising in embodied approaches...

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Dr Jessica Bockler

Psychologist & Educator

Alef Trust | British Psychological Society

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Dr Swan Dao is the founder of the Institute of Devotional Arts, which designs learning and healing experiences through the expressive arts...

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Dr Swan Dao

Psychotherapist & Experience Designer

University of Cambridge | École Jacques Lecoq

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Schedule

Each day offers a chance to deepen your practice and explore the fertile terrain where body and imagination meet. Here's what a typical day looks like.

7:45–8:45 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Morning Class
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00–2:30 PM: Rest & Introspection
2:30–3:00 PM: Group Reflection
3:00–3:30 PM: Break
3:30–6:00 PM: Afternoon Class
6:00–7:00 PM: Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM: Personal Time
8:00–9:00 PM: Evening Talk & Q&A

7:45–8:45 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Morning Class
12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00–2:30 PM: Rest & Introspection
2:30–3:00 PM: Group Reflection
3:00–3:30 PM: Break
3:30–6:00 PM: Afternoon Class
6:00–7:00 PM: Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM: Personal Time
8:00–9:00 PM: Evening Talk & Q&A

“Healing comes when we meet ourselves fully, including the wisdom of the body and the expression of creativity.”

— Peter Levine

Venue

A NATURE SANCTUARY NEAR BARCELONA

How to get there

Where You'll Stay

Nestled in the heart of the Prades Mountain Natural Park, our retreat centre provides a peaceful, secluded environment perfect for personal growth, relaxation, and deep immersion in nature. Set on 140 hectares of lush forest, the property is rich in Pyrenean oak and Scots pine trees and is home to Arabian horses and wild roe deer, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. Unique architectural features, including a Gaudí-inspired castle, add to the centre’s charm, offering spaces that inspire creativity and reflection.

A Home-Like Experience

Our hosts cultivate a warm, family-like atmosphere where guests feel immediately at home. Meals are nutritious and lovingly prepared—plant-based, primarily organic, and made with local, seasonal ingredients. Tea and wholesome snacks are available throughout the day, ensuring you feel nourished and cared for at every moment of your stay.

Join Us

Submit Your Application Today

Designed for depth and focus, this all-inclusive training is limited in size and offered by application only. We are selecting participants ready to engage seriously with expressive and embodied work.

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Single Room

FREE

€ 2,850

€ 2,850

TICKET
TICKETS
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€2,590 Early Bird
(save €260 — until 31 January)


Accommodation for 5 days/4 nights

Private access to the retreat centre

All meals, snacks, and drinks

All materials and classes (33+ hrs)

Shared Room

FREE

€ 2,500

€ 2,500

TICKET
TICKETS
LEFT
SOLD OUT
more info

€2,190 Early Bird
(save €310 — until 31 January)


Accommodation for 5 days/4 nights

in a double ensuite room (2 people)

Private access to the retreat centre

All meals, snacks, and drinks

All materials and classes (33+ hrs)

schedule A CALL

I discovered creative ways to express sensitive, deeply personal topics, and returned feeling empowered with valuable tools and inspiration gained from both participants and teachers.

Amy Tessler | Trauma Psychotherapist | Canada

My experience was deeply insightful. It offered a refreshing perspective that complemented my background in healthcare, allowing me to reconnect with the true essence of therapy.

Dr Soukeyna Debiens | Medical Doctor | Canada

I felt inspired and supported by incredible artists who make art in a different way. I was reminded of the reason why I create and share my creativity.

SANDRA LEPIK | VISUAL ARTIST | ESTONIA

The techniques were accessible yet powerful, simple yet transformative. The experience was unexpectedly moving, personally enriching, and collectively empowering — I feel really grateful for it.

Dr MIKE SANDEL | Psychiatrist | SPAIN

FAQs

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Are you ready to gain practical tools in expressive therapy with leading experts?

APPLY NOW