It's time:  Our World Needs Creative Feminine Leadership More Than Ever!

In a rapidly evolving world, often dominated by male voices, the unique perspectives of women are more essential than ever. Women's voices are crucial for creating balance, fostering creativity, and uplifting future generations.

Are you ready to lead with heART?
🦋 Are you passionate about helping others unlock their creativity and achieve their full potential?
🦋 Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth while helping others do the same?
🦋 Do you dream of leading retreats or building a thriving therapy or coaching practice that makes a positive impact in the world?

Who is this for? 

🦋 Artists, psychotherapists, healers, coaches, addiction counselors and coaches, equine facilitators, and changemakers ready to harness the power of creativity to create community, inspire transformation, and ignite meaningful creative change in the world.

“...In the silence between your heartbeats hides a summons...”

_{— TERMA COLLECTIVE, THE BOX: REMEMBERING THE GIFT}

The Pathway to Creative Awakenings International (CAI)  Level One Certification

Mission + Vision

The Creative Awakenings Expressive Arts, Level One Certification Mentorship and Training is a thoughtfully designed three-part pathway.  I have been facilitating this mentorship in various forms since 2011, and I have come to understand this transformative creative journey unfolds naturally in stages.

Each step builds upon the last, creating a cohesive and empowering process that supports deep personal growth, mastery of expressive arts facilitation, and the confidence to share this work in meaningful ways with others. This structured pathway ensures a balance of personal growth, skill-building, and practical application, setting you up for success as a Creative Awakenings facilitator.

This program was born out of a sincere passion for training the wild heARTs. These are the passionate, untamed souls who know, deep in their bones, the power of creativity to heal and transform lives.

I am deeply committed to bringing the expressive arts back to their roots—back to a time when artists and therapists worked hand in hand, side by side, to serve their communities. In my view, our profession has strayed too far from this history, losing touch with the foundational belief that creative processes are gifts to be shared freely and openly.

I don't believe you need two years of graduate school, two more years of supervision, a Ph.D., or the burden of debt to guide others in discovering the profound healing and growth that creativity offers.  What you need is a passion for creativity, a desire to serve, the willingness to hold space for transformation, and the guidance, principles, and confidence to facilitate with care and ensure no harm is done.

A warm welcome from Sheri

Learn more about how and why I have found joy, passion, and purpose in a 35-year career of expressive arts. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the mission and vision for the training, and how it can spark transformation in your life and work.

What is calling you?

Based on Sheri Gaynor's internationally acclaimed book Creative Awakenings: Envisioning the Life of Your Dreams Through Art (North Light Books, 2009), the Creative Awakenings Introductory Training invites you to explore and deepen your creative practice through visual journaling.

Grounded in Sheri’s transformative EnVision process and practice, you’ll journey through the Creative Awakenings visual journaling method, strengthening your connection to your creative source while experiencing personal growth and transformation.

Experiential learning is at the heart of this guided mentorship. Whether you’re a therapist, coach, educator, or someone eager to integrate expressive arts and experiential modalities into your work, this workshop will enrich you both personally and professionally.

Our students come from all walks of life, and we celebrate this diversity! They are community leaders, women seeking new directions in life and work, professionals looking for fresh tools to inspire and support their clients, and women ready to embrace new chapters. True learning happens when wisdom meets life experience. We’ve had students join us from as far away as the United Kingdom!

All that’s asked of you is to arrive with a beginner’s mind, an open heart, and a playful spirit.

Why Mentorship?

As I step into the final quarter of life’s dance—now, mystifyingly, considered an elder—I feel a profound sense of purpose and passion. My journey has been one of discovery, growth, and transformation, and now I am eager to share the gifts of creativity and experiential practices with others.

I know what it’s like to walk a path alone, but you don’t have to. Creatives are often soloists. We enjoy working independently, moving to the rhythm of our own drum. Yet, there are times when it can feel isolating or stagnant. That’s where the power of co-creation can offer a refreshing infusion of collaborative inspiration.

The beauty of my 30-year career as an experiential practitioner is that every day is a new adventure. It’s never gotten old, and even after all these years, I don’t feel burned out. I would LOVE to help you feel the same way!

My mission is clear: to pass on the magic of creativity coaching to those who are ready to embrace it. Whether you’re a therapist, life coach, artist, community changemaker, or someone simply seeking more joy and fulfillment in life, I’m here to guide you. But my vision goes beyond individual transformation.

I believe—and know—that creativity has the power to ripple out into our communities, uplifting and inspiring those around us. As you embrace your creativity and embody your unique gifts, you’ll not only transform your own life, but you’ll also infuse magic into your practices, relationships, and communities. I’ve been blessed to form incredible community partnerships, bringing the healing gifts of creativity to schools, organizations, and nonprofits. You can too!

Join me in this dance of creativity and possibility. Together, let’s weave a tapestry of beauty, joy, and connection that extends far beyond ourselves. Let’s bring the magic of this work into our lives, our practices, and our communities—spreading light and inspiration wherever we go.

Are you ready to embrace your creative potential and step into a life filled with passion, purpose, and possibility? I hope you’ll join us.

With gratitude, love, and inspiration,
🦋 Sheri

The Creative Awakenings Envision Process will teach you to 
fill your pages with intentions + dreams

Is your heART beating faster?

This transformative 12-week guided immersion is designed to awaken your creative spirit, build confidence in your artistic expression, and introduce you to the powerful Creative Awakenings practices that inspire growth and transformation.

• You will gain foundational tools to confidently explore the Creative Awakenings visual journaling process, unlocking its transformative potential in your life, work, and community.

• You will learn the Roots + Foundations of Expressive Arts Visual journaling It will help you discover, embrace, and amplify your authentic voice as a facilitator.

• The process will support you in identifying, rooting out, and letting go of old beliefs that no longer serve you. It will empower you to lead with passion and purpose because is my deepest belief that we cannot truly lead others without first walking the path ourselves.

In the Creative Awakenings Level One Mentorship You Will 

🦋  Explore the intersection of creativity and mindfulness through the Creative Awakenings Practice and Process. Discover how presence and awareness can enhance your creative flow, deepening your connection to yourself and others through collage, paint, and visual journaling.

🦋 Through dynamic lessons and immersive online group experiences, you will embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, tapping into the wellspring of your intuition to guide you toward new realms of self-expression and possibility.

🦋 Engage in thought-provoking exercises that encourage you to dance fearlessly with your inner muse, embracing the beauty and power of your unique creative voice.

🦋 Experience the joy of experimentation and play as you discover new mediums, techniques, and perspectives, expanding the boundaries of what’s possible and redefining your creative potential.

🦋 Gain practical tools and strategies for overcoming creative blocks and self-doubt, empowering you to navigate challenges with grace and resilience—and emerge stronger than ever before.

🦋 Harness the power of collaboration and community by connecting with fellow creatives, sharing insights, support, and inspiration to fuel your creative journey.

🦋 Step into your role as a visionary creator, equipped with the skills, confidence, and courage to bring your boldest ideas to life and make a meaningful impact on the world.

The Benefits of Creative Awakenings + EnVision Visual  Journaling

🦋 Visual journaling and expressive arts give voice to what may be unspoken or unknown.

🦋  The creative process supports navigating times of transition and change.

🦋  Visual journals serve as artifacts of our life journey, reflecting our past and envisioning our future.

🦋  Through the creative process, you are empowered to trust your deep intuitive and somatic wisdom.

🦋  Visual journaling and expressive arts practices nurture a profound self-connection, illuminating hidden aspects and fostering healing. By embracing these parts of yourself, you step into your role as a creative leader and visionary, fully aligned with your authentic path.

🦋  Creative practice and process serve as mindfulness tools, supported by evidence-based research.

"YES, YES, YES!"

I’m so glad you asked because this is one of the most common questions I get from my students. The very fact that you’ve made it this far tells me everything I need to know about what’s in the deepest part of your heart! No matter where you are on your creative journey, you don’t need any prior "artistic" experience to join this program—and this is exactly what you’ll be helping others to realize!

Here’s a little secret: This limiting belief is one I held too. It’s what led me to apply for photography school (my first creative incarnation) because, at the time, I thought it was the only way I could be an “artist,” and I had a deep need to explore and express what I felt inside.

My initial creative exploration began behind the lens of an SLR camera. Capturing images that stirred my soul in black and white film, and developing them in the darkroomwas an exhilarating experience that seemed nothing short of magic.

As time passed, I realized that photography alone wasn’t fulfilling my deepest yearnings. I felt a strong desire to express myself in other ways, so I began using my journals as a source of creative exploration.

After all, creativity is innate to all of us—it’s something we’re born with, just waiting to be rediscovered and unleashed.

Think back to the uninhibited joy and curiosity of your inner 2-year-old. That’s the essence of fearless creativity that encouraged me to begin visual journaling, and it’s exactly what we’ll tap into together!

As your mentor and guide, I’m here to nurture and support you every step of the way. Together, we’ll dive deep into the roots of your limiting beliefs and reclaim the truth: creativity is your birthright! Through this personal creative inquiry, you’ll not only uncover your own potential, but also gain the skills to support others on their creative journeys.

The Introductory Creative Awakenings Mentorship IS for you if...

❖ You are open to joining the mentorship with a "Beginner’s Mind," meaning you are committed to learning and agree to bring your whole self to the program.

❖ You seek a community of like-minded women and are willing to help create a safe, nurturing, and healing container where all participants can flourish.

❖ You are dedicated to fostering diversity, championing human rights for all, embracing differing opinions, and promoting inclusivity in all aspects of your work. 

❖ Our community is a space for creativity, growth, and connection. In this space, we ask that rigid beliefs be set aside to maintain a welcoming and open environment for everyone.

❖ You’re eager to explore expressive arts, tapping into somatic wisdom, movement, sound, ritual, and more.

❖ You embrace wholehearted vulnerability and commit to doing the work necessary to step into authentic creative leadership.

❖ You have a solid foundation of computer and technology skills. You are familiar with Zoom and have experience with online courses.

❖ You can attend all live classes. This is crucial for creating a container of safety and inspiration. Students are permitted to miss only ONE class.

The Introductory Creative Awakenings Mentorship is NOT for you if...

PLEASE NOTE: The power of visual journaling lies in its ability to bring unconscious material to the surface, offering opportunities for deep exploration and healing—though it is not therapy. As you engage with your own creative process, you'll gain valuable insights into what your clients may experience as they participate in expressive arts practices.

This mentorship may not be a good fit for you if:

❖ You have resistance to change.

❖ You are not comfortable with wholehearted vulnerability.

❖ You have strict rigid spiritual beliefs that will prevent you from fostering diversity, championing human rights for all, embracing differing opinions, and promoting inclusivity in all aspects of your work.

❖ You are not open to constructive feedback (which is different from criticism).

❖ You are not interested in shifting outdated beliefs that may be holding you back.

❖ You struggle with procrastination and completion.

❖ You do not have a solid foundation in computer, email, and social media skills.

❖ You cannot attend all live classes. This is crucial for creating a container of safety and inspiration. Students are allowed to miss only ONE class

Included in Your Registration

🦋 Complimentary 2-Part Creative Awakenings Guided Imagery: A custom-designed guided imagery to deepen your visual journaling process + practice 

🦋 Access to the Creative Awakenings Vintage Vault:  The Vintage Vault features original videos from the first online training in 2012, filmed on a FLIP camera—truly pre-iPhone vintage fun!

🦋 Private Online Learning Platform:  Gain entry to a secure, professional online learning platform with all course materials.

🦋 Private Online Community: Join a confidential, non-Facebook online community where you can connect and share experiences safely.

🦋 Extended Access: Enjoy 9 months of access to the online materials and community.

🦋 Integration Days: Integration days, to reflect, recharge, and complete assignments and required materials.

🦋 Downloadable Lessons:  These materials enable you to build your own personalized workshop binder!

🦋 Opportunity to Co-Facilitate or Substitute in Sheri's Local Classes

🦋 Listing on Sheri's Website: When you receive your CAI Approved Facilitator certificate, you are eligible for a listing on Sheri's website.