Process Painting (February 2026)

Process Painting at Art of Counseling

When applying the concepts of El Duende Process Painting and Anchored Relational Method of Relational Autonomy and Relational Cohesion to self-as-therapist clinical practice, the vehicle for learning becomes the therapist’s relationship to a single canvas over time. The sequential layering of art materials fosters ongoing self-reflexivity through aesthetic attunement, Relational Resonance, and clinical intuition. This process provides a direct experience with internal reflective processing, aesthetically focused curiosity, and opportunities to explore internal and external relationships, often activating deep layers of professional and personal identity material and helping us fine-tune how we attune and attend to ourselves and clients.

The structure of process painting has three main activities:

1. Spontaneous painting
2. Complex reflective processing
3. Aesthetically focused attention to imagery appearing in the painting that parallels the clinical experience

This process offers numerous benefits including enhanced self-reflexivity, improved clinical intuition, and a deeper understanding of internal and external relationships. Engagement from Active Imagination, practicing and applying “neurology, development, dignity, resilience, and vulnerability inherent in all human beings.. supporting life-giving actions in line with values.” (Miller and Solon 2024)

Seminar Schedule:

• 8:30AM – 9AM: Orientate self to space & sign in
• 9AM: Seminar begins
• 12PM – 12:45PM: Lunch break (food not provided)
• 4PM: Seminar ends