I am an Artist, Teacher, Reiki Master, Registered expressive therapist, and accredited Playback Theatre trainer; I combine these with my love for traveling. Since 2003, I have acted as an adviser, trainer or mentor to universities and NGO’s, as well as Playback theatre troupes in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Hong Kong and India. Ive raised 3 sons, by the lake in the mountains of Vermont. My explorations around the world, coupled with my own life experience as an artist, social change agent, and therapist have deepened my sense of both Connection and the Mystery of this world. My experiences has enriched and profoundly changed the way in which I perceive the world.
Jennie kristel's Blog 
Hello Jennie Kristel,
I just found your blog. In 2010 I was in Chennai for 5 months, I stayed in a home for 40 girls who could not stay home, or did run away etc. After these experiences I started to join the study art therapy. Now I’m in my second year.
Art therapy would be great for the girls I met. I hope art therapy will grow in India.
Greetings,
Gaby (23 years old, The Netherlands)
Hi Gaby! Glad to hear from you. In fact Art therapy IS growing in India- and in Chennai!! Its very exciting. Go to the Center for Counselling in Chennai for more information about their diploma program in Expressive Therapies.
Hi Gaby
THanks for letting me know about your experience. Good luck with your studies.
Dear Jennie,
I am Piyali Dasgupta and I work as a Behavioural Aide, Storyteller,
Palliative Care Counsellor and Writer for children and young adults. I
live in Delhi and definitely want to enroll for the Expressive Art
Therapy Course this year. Can you please help me find ways or
resources as to how can I undertake this course in New Delhi?
Kindly do write to me.
Warm Regards
Jen,
Love your blog. So wonderful to read about your work in India and Bangladesh. We never get time to talk about all this.
Thank you Sangeeta! Yes, I know- we are soooo busy!But thank you-Hopefully more will come soon.
Hi,
very exciting to see the posts, planning to conduct few such activities.
are you based out of Chennai?
Hello Savitha
I have been working in Chennai at the Centre for Counselling as faculty in their Expressive Arts Therapy program. However, I also teach in Bangalore and Mumbai particularly in the area of Playback Theatre. I will be going back there in January to teach. I myself am based in the Mortheast United States.
hi jennie im 16 years old and would love to pursue art therapy as a profession. ever since I heard about art therapy and expressive therapy it has been my mission to help and contribute in whatever way i can. It has been my dream to expand art therapy in chennai particularly so if you know any way i can help and contribute in chennai please let me know. it is so nice to see people like you changing lives and improving this world for the future generations.
Hello: In Chennai through the Centre for counseling and WCC is an expressive therapies certificate program. Contact Magdalene Jeyarathnam at magdalene@centerforcounseling.org for details.There are other programs as well. I also encourage you to look at the creative arts program in Pune.
Hello Jennie,
My name is Sarah Fardeen and I am the founder of MindMatters, a not-for-profit that works to raise awareness on mental health issues. In January, we held an art exhibition where 11 local artists gave common mental health illnesses of Bangladesh a visual form. We are again going to host another exhibition and this time we are hoping to have an art therapist who’d be interested in doing workshops based on art therapy.
I was wondering if this is something you do and whether there is a cost involved? Or if you know someone else who already works in this field who might be interested in coming to run the workshops.
I hope to hear back from you.
Best,
Sarah Fardeen
http://www.mindmattersbd.com
Hello Sarah;
Thank you for reaching out to me. I am so happy to hear about your exhibition to support the using of the arts in mental health. While I would be very interested in coming and presenting workshops around expressive arts therapy, I probably am not the best person as I live in the US. Here is my email- we can discuss other options of people I know in India who might be able to come over. That said, Im always looking for ways to come back to Bangladesh ! jkristel61@hotmail.com you can email me and we can discuss this more in depth. Many thanks, Jennie
I wish to know if you would conduct a training program in expressive arts therapist at Kollam Kerala . My mail: jputhenveed@gmail.com
Dr.Jose Puthenveed