The CREATE Institute

What The CREATE Institute does

The CREATE Institute is a Toronto-based, non-profit career college founded in 1994 (originally as ISIS Canada, rebranded in 2005) that delivers a three-year post-graduate Diploma Program in Expressive Arts Therapy (EXAT). Its training is recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), making graduates eligible for professional registration, and the institute is affiliated with the European Graduate School in Switzerland for students seeking a Master's degree pathway. The curriculum combines theory, experiential practice, 600 practicum hours, and personal studio work across multiple artistic modalities (visual arts, dance/movement, music, drama, voice therapy, creative writing) within an intermodal psychotherapeutic framework.

The institute supplements its core diploma with short courses (e.g., 8-Week Foundations of EXA at $900, 8-Week Art of Trauma, Supervision Intensive 2026) and operates the CREATE Clinic, a supervised student-run clinic offering low-cost expressive arts therapy at $50/hour for individuals and $60/hour for couples/families. Annual domestic tuition is $7,370 (international tuition at $8,690 is currently suspended due to Canada's federal study permit cap). The institute is a Registered Canadian Charitable Organization (88656 8252 RR0001) and is registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition, clinic fees, application fees ($100-$150), and short-course/workshop fees. Distribution is single-site in-person at the CREATE Studio (489 Queen St. East, Toronto) for the diploma, with online delivery for select short courses. The go-to-market combines in-person information sessions, rolling admissions (February through May), alumni referrals, and professional association channels (OEATA, IEATA, OSP, OACCPP). Customer outcomes tracked include a 100% graduate satisfaction rating (Ontario Career College KPIs) and 90% of graduates in self-employed practice.

Name

The CREATE Institute

Legal name

The CREATE Institute

Website

https://thecreateinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The CREATE Institute is a Toronto-based, non-profit career college offering a CRPO-recognized three-year diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy, serving post-graduate students while operating a low-cost student clinic and online professional development courses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Expressive Arts Therapy Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Mindfulness, Stress Management & Resilience Training (EDAMAIAD)

Keywords

• Expressive arts therapy
• Arts therapy training
• Psychotherapy education
• Post-graduate diploma
• Creative arts therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees for the 3-year training program. Domestic students pay $7,370 per year; international students pay $8,690 per year. Fees are tax deductible and can be paid in full or in installments (bi-yearly or quarterly) via e-transfer, cheque, or bank draft.
2. CREATE Clinic Fees: Low-cost expressive arts therapy sessions provided by supervised student therapists. Individual sessions are $50/hour; couples or family sessions are $60/hour. This service generates revenue while providing hands-on training experience.
3. Short Courses and Workshops: 8-week foundational courses (e.g., Foundations of EXA at $900) and professional development workshops offered to therapists, educators, and community members for professional and personal development.
4. Application Fees: Application fee of $100 for candidates with a bachelor's degree; $150 for non-degree candidates (which includes PLAR evaluation). If PLAR review shows the candidate does not qualify, $100 of the fee is refunded.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The CREATE Institute offers a three-year, post-graduate Expressive Arts Therapy Training Program (diploma) that combines theory, experiential practice, studio work, and supervised clinical practicum across multiple artistic modalities. The institute also operates the CREATE Clinic, a low-cost therapy service staffed by supervised student therapists, and a portfolio of short courses and workshops (e.g., Foundations of EXA, Art of Trauma, Supervision Intensive) for mental health professionals seeking professional development.

Product overview

The CREATE Institute is a career college offering a comprehensive suite of expressive arts therapy education and services. The core offering is a 3-Year Expressive Arts Therapy Training Program leading to a diploma, recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Supporting the main program are short courses including the 8-Wk Foundations of EXA and 8-Wk Art of Trauma, plus practicum placements requiring 600 hours total. The organization also operates the CREATE Clinic providing low-cost expressive arts therapy services. Additional offerings include supervision training and teaching assistant positions. The institute is affiliated with the European Graduate School in Switzerland for advanced degree pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3-Year Expressive Arts Therapy Training Program (Diploma Program) A three-year, post-graduate diploma program providing immersive, arts-based education in expressive arts therapy. Combines theory, experiential practice, supervised clinical practicum (600 hours), personal expressive arts therapy, and independent studio work (300 hours) across all major artistic modalities (visual arts, dance/movement, music, drama, voice, creative writing). Recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree (or equivalent via PLAR) seeking professional registration as Expressive Arts Therapists.
• CREATE Clinic (Student Clinic)

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% graduate satisfaction rating
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Graduate School (Switzerland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCREATE Institute is affiliated with the European Graduate School in Saas Fee, Switzerland. Qualified students can receive advanced standing towards a Masters Degree at this institution and pursue their studies concurrently or after completing their CREATE training. This affiliation provides a pathway for students to earn a recognized postgraduate degree.
• College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)coreOthersThe CREATE Institute's 3-year training program is recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). This recognition means graduates are eligible for professional registration as psychotherapists, making the credential career-qualifying in Ontario.
• Ontario Alliance of Mental Health PractitionersminorOthersCREATE Institute belongs to the Ontario Alliance of Mental Health Practitioners. Students, graduates, and faculty can join professional associations including OEATA, IEATA, OSP, and OACCPP.
• Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (OEATA)minorOthersProfessional association for Expressive Arts Therapists in Ontario. CREATE graduates and faculty can join OEATA.
• International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA)minorOthersInternational professional association for Expressive Arts Therapists. CREATE graduates and faculty can join IEATA.
• Ontario Society of Psychotherapists (OSP)minorOthersProfessional association for psychotherapists in Ontario. CREATE graduates and faculty can join OSP.
• Ontario Association of Counselors, Consultants, Psychometrists, and Psychotherapists (OACCPP)minorOthersProfessional association for counselors and psychotherapists in Ontario. CREATE graduates and faculty can join OACCPP.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kutenai Art Therapy Institute: Kutenai Art Therapy Institute in Nelson, BC is a Canadian private career college offering diploma-level art therapy training with a similar post-secondary, vocational structure. Both serve Canadian students seeking professional art therapy credentials.
• Pacifica Graduate Institute: Pacifica Graduate Institute offers graduate programs in counseling psychology with emphases in expressive arts and somatic modalities. Its use of arts-based therapeutic approaches aligns closely with CREATE's pedagogical framework.
• European Graduate School: European Graduate School in Saas Fee, Switzerland offers advanced degrees in Expressive Arts Therapy using intermodal methodologies. It is CREATE's affiliated advanced-degree partner and the closest direct peer in mission, methodology, and curriculum philosophy.
• Toronto Art Therapy Institute: Toronto-based private art therapy training program that prepares students for professional registration as art therapists. As a fellow Toronto-area career college in a closely adjacent therapeutic modality space, it directly competes with CREATE for the same local student pool.
• Lesley University: Lesley University's Expressive Therapies program offers graduate degrees in art, music, dance, and drama therapy with intermodal approaches. One of the few North American programs that integrates multiple artistic modalities therapeutically, mirroring CREATE's framework.

Broad incumbents

• Pratt Institute: Pratt Institute's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a Master of Science in Creative Arts Therapy and a Dance/Movement Therapy program. As a larger, established university with broader creative arts offerings, it provides similar training from a more comprehensive institutional base.
• NYU Steinhardt School: NYU Steinhardt offers graduate programs in Creative Arts Therapy (art, music, dance, drama) and is a major player in the field. As a globally recognized institution, it represents the upper tier of formal creative arts therapy training at scale.
• Drexel University: Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions offers a Master of Arts in Creative Arts in Therapy with concentrations in art, music, and dance/movement therapy. As a major research university, it provides broader creative arts therapy training at scale.
• Adler University: Adler University offers Master of Arts programs in Counseling with concentrations in art therapy and drama therapy. As a broader professional psychology institution, it serves students seeking therapy credentials with arts-based specializations.
• Antioch University: Antioch University offers master's programs in applied psychology and clinical mental health counseling with expressive arts and art therapy specializations. Its broader portfolio of mental health programs positions it as a larger incumbent in the adjacent training space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The CREATE Institute