Mokokchung College of Teacher Education (MCTE), Yimyu, conducted a four-day “Expressive Art Therapy Workshop” in a hybrid mode, bringing together educators, students, and professionals from various institutions in Mokokchung to explore the therapeutic and educational benefits of creative expression.
The program was held online on April 11 and 12, while the offline workshop took place on April 25 and 26. The event featured renowned Expressive Art Therapists Piyush Jain and Pallavi Deswal, both holding a Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology and registered with UNESCO-CID France, as the resource persons.
Piyush Jain, a Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapist, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist from the California Institute of Hypnotherapy and a Counseling Psychologist.
Having received specialized training in trauma-informed approaches under Dr. Cathy Malchiodi, a globally renowned expert, Jain has facilitated over 3,000 hours of sessions, working extensively with LGBTQIA+ individuals, children, women, and diverse communities, focusing on emotional well-being, resilience, and relationship-building through creative expression.
Pallavi Deswal, with over 850 hours of experience in facilitating expressive arts sessions, integrates elements of visual art, music, movement, drama, and play therapy to foster emotional expression, self-awareness, and healing. She works in both online and offline spaces, creating safe and inclusive environments for individuals and groups to explore their inner landscapes in English and Hindi.
Principal Dr. T. Alemla Longkumer, in her welcome address, emphasized the relevance of expressive arts in today’s education system, particularly in supporting students’ emotional well-being and enhancing teaching effectiveness. She applauded the resource persons for their contributions and acknowledged the enthusiastic participation from various institutions.
The sessions were interactive and experiential, allowing participants to engage directly in creative exercises designed to foster emotional expression, self-awareness, and empathetic communication. Attendees expressed keen interest and positive feedback, citing the sessions as therapeutic and inspiring, with many expressing a desire for similar initiatives in the future.