Catharsis Application Program
A Psycho-Emotional Therapy using a unique combination of Music and Drawing

Engage your clients
in deep emotional work

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Catharsis Application Program
is a Psycho-Emotional Therapy (CAP-TPE)
blending music listening and graphic expression


Learn an innovative method that encourages your clients to creatively express repressed emotions and difficult feelings


Catharsis Application Program (CAP) is an original therapeutic process combining graphic expression under musical induction while utilizing psycho-projective testing as an assessment tool for the professional.

CAP is a very engaging therapeutic modality that focuses on the deep and intricate connection between mind and body. It facilitates the dialogue between the unconscious and the conscious. CAP is based on the idea that art is a means of symbolic communication in which drawings serve as a conduit uncovering emotional patterns and/or inner conflicts and generate a possible resolution. This process thus brings out new perspectives which facilitate relevant and engaging psychotherapeutic or self-discovery work.

Through integrating CAP, you can broaden your practice by creating a therapeutic environment that appeals to a wide patient audience.



CAP may be applied:

Online or in a private office setting

In individual or group work

In family therapy

In couples therapy

CAP is an extremely flexible modality that responds to the needs of a large population.



It is suitable for:


All ages (6 years and older)

Most mental health fields

Personal development

Therapeutic coaching


“My many years of incorporating CAP into my private practice with both adults and children has confirmed my belief that there is a real evolution and lasting change which occurs when using this method. Over the years, I am still amazed by the precise and rigorous work that leads the person, step by step, to face up to the reality of their suffering, and to express at the proper time the emotions that have been held back for too long. It is a real plus for me in my practice.”
— Dr. Anne-Marie Pace, Clinical Psychologist, Lyon, France

Stimulate your client’s creativity and
motivation in emotional healing

CAP is an experiential therapy. The CAP process facilitates self-examination and is very beneficial to:

  • exploration of emotions and feelings through the use of specific music and expressive drawings or paintings
  • creative and pleasurable discovery of the underlying causes of issues without the need for a conscious and painful exploration of the past
  • creative expression of repressed fears, conflicts and desires for a real liberation and healing processs
  • mobilization of the positive forces of the mind, constructive feelings, the imagination, and creative intelligence
  • creative self-expression that supports numerous health benefits
  • a safe and a meaningful way to connect with clients’ inner essence
  • an authentic and privileged practitioner-client relationship

“After viewing first-hand, the powerful impact a CAP session had with our sample youth group, I was in awe of the depth to which CAP reached. What would have taken us anywhere from five or six months of talk therapy, was reached in one hour. Amazing! Our thoughts after our initial assessment and care plan, are to use CAP in order to have a clearer, more comprehensive picture of where the client is; to tweak the care plan and goal setting.”
— Debra Camarillo, Executive Director for the Latino Commission, San Francisco

USING ART AS A MEANS OF SYMBOLIC EXPRESSION FOR FASTER RESOLUTION OF EMOTIONAL BLOCKAGES

CAP helps to process emotions in a uniquely constructive way. It incorporates:

  • a very structured methodology which allows in-depth work on the emotional sphere
  • a secure environment for self-expression enhancing the patient’s feeling of safety
  • a very engaging process that allows clients to go beyond their self defenses without forcing anything
  • a 12-week program which provides regularity, structure and self-discipline associated with free and creative expression
  • a strong release of tension and stress
  • therapeutic effectiveness for touching on aspects of the personality or behaviors that would take more time to reveal with talk therapy
  • building the capacity for clients to adapt their behavior appropriately to new situations and to reorganize their inner life
  • the capacity for greater self-awareness and the role that frustration or insecurity play in their lives
  • a non-confrontational and non threatening way to help clients see and engage in their journey toward a meaningful life.

“As a psychologist in a retirement home, after receiving my CAP training in an institution, I wanted to go into private practice. I knew that CAP would provide me with a specific tool to differentiate myself from other psychologists in my area. So I completed the training for private practitioners. I'm delighted I made this choice several years ago now, because I provide my clients with high-quality psychotherapy. CAP is very attractive, and clients regularly are coming back for reassessments. I offer then sessions as an extension of the CAP sessions that are extremely rich and relevant. Above all, I appreciate “The quality of the materials and their ease of use; everything has been designed to allow me to devote all my time to my clients.”
— Sophie Guigou Castanet, Clinical Psychologist, Aigremont, France

Get turn-key, well-developed clinical protocols


The CAP framework is structured with the following features:


Specific documentation:

  1. Individual Client File
  2. Client Group Participation File
  3. CAP Consent Form
  4. Session Calendar
  5. Session Attendance Record
  6. Artwork Release Form

Scale of evaluation:

  1. Self-Assessment Questionnaire
  2. Space Test
  3. Self-Evaluation Session for Client
  4. Self-Evaluation Session for Therapist
  5. CAP Weekly Progress Notes
  6. Artwork Release Form

Specific art material:

  1. A3 drawing paper
  2. journal for comments
  3. Aquarelle Water Soluble Crayons
  4. B1 pencil
  5. pencil sharpener
  6. paint brush
  7. eraser

AT THE END OF THE TRAINING

Once you've completed your training, CAP is very easy to implement. It's a program with highly structured protocols:

  • All documentation are provided at the end of the training
  • Drawing kits can be ordered as needed.
  • On the Planet CAP website, you have a personal and confidential space that allows you to schedule your own clients online, and gives you access to music and documents.

“Temps Fort is a non-profit organization whose employees are all psychologists, which has offered psychological support for long-term unemployed individuals since 1991.” The patients who are admitted present various symptoms such as severe depression, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, borderline personality disorder, and stabilized psychotic disorders. The seven psychologists on staff sees 400 patients a year who benefit from individual and group therapy sessions. A second branch of Temps Fort focuses on prevention in adolescents, working with high schools, and their families. Catharsis offers an opportunity for projective expression supported by a solid theoretical reference and the development of support materials for reading and analysis, based on a formalized practice. CAP has been integrated into our system by adding a new possibility to work on their life history, in a contained, secure, and innovative way”
— Dr. Fabienne Catarossi, psychologist and clinical director, Lille, France

Easy implementation and incorporatation
into your practice

CAP is equally suitable for therapy sessions in groups, in workshops or webinars and adaptable to a variety of environments :


Online setting for flexibility anywhere for you and your patients

Private office setting to work in a conventional therapeutic way

Individual, one-on-one work with children, adolescent, adults.

Couples therapy to help deepen the understanding of the couple dynamic in a new way

Family therapy to help deepen the understanding of the family dynamic in a new way

CAP brings you a therapeutic method where every details has been thought out to facilitate the therapist's work:


a drawing kit for the client that includes everything and easy to store

convenient graphic material and no need of special space

5-minute set up and the material for the session is ready

Online access to music and documents from anywhere

Online resources with many case studies



“For 30 years, I have worked as a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist trained in behavioral and cognitive therapies, and a lecturer. My work consists of diagnosing the suffering and pathology of patients in order to prescribe psychoactive drugs, as needed, and to search for appropriate methods of therapy, such as Catharsis. Today, I offer this method to patients in my private practice, and to trainees at a center for professional rehabilitation of the handicapped, in order to improve their sense of self and well being in a professional setting. These interns regularly report their surprise at their patient’s improvement with CAP, and often wish to participate in a second program.”
Dr. Christian Simonin, Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, Lyon, France

CAP is suitable for seasoned or developing practice

Are you ready to create a distinctive, private practice of your own – one that sets you apart?

About the CAP Training

After years of experience, we have developed a training program that allows you to integrate knowledge and skills over a period of several months. This program not only allows you to work in-depth with your clients on emotions, but also to build a unique, exciting, and motivating private practice.

The training is organized to allow you to continue your activity, if necessary.

The training is available in English and in French


The opportunity to expand your practice is within reach.
Register for CAP training

Enroll today for 2026 Training


Enroll today

We train individuals and staff online

CAP-TPE training ~ Level 1

Duration of training: 154 hours

The training takes place from September 2026 to February 2028.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES

The training takes place over several months so that trainees can gradually and sustainably integrate the content, learn the protocols, adapt them to their practices, gain flexibility, confidence, and assurance in using the method.

This professional training is part of the tradition of a holistic approach to mental health focuses on the whole person — mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially.

  1. Master all the steps of a graphic expression session under musical induction
  2. Analyze data and understand the psychological and symbolic function of a drawing made under musical induction (introduction to drawing analysis)
  3. Propose a psychotherapeutic intervention that emphasizes the importance of emotional healing

This training offers comprehensive and in-depth education designed not only to teach the procedures for implementing the method, but also to offer a connection to clients based on deep listening and respect for their inner movement.

S’inscrivant dans la lignée de Carl G. Jung, elle accorde une place importante aux symboles et aux archétypes, comme moteur de transformation et de découverte de l’unicité de chacun.


TRAINING PROGRAM

The LEVEL 1 training course enables you to become a CAP Practitioner.

This program offers online and in-person teaching, as well as courses that can be studied at your own pace, although there is a time limit for submitting written assignments.

Our LEVEL 1 training dlasts 19 months and begins in mid-September each year.

It is organized for a minimum of 5 trainees and a maximum of 10 trainees.

This training is intended for an informed audience who are already familiar with interventions that integrate the emotional dimension and who are interested in the symbolic and archetypal world of drawings and dreams. Knowledge of Carl G. Jung's psychology is strongly recommended.



TRAINING CURRICULUM

A - Experiential sessions - 26 hours

From September 2026 to the end of January 2027

12 weekly sessions to experience the CAP program and receive a personalized final assessment by a CAP practitioner.

This step is essential to understand what is mobilized in each person during the graphic expression sessions with musical induction. These sessions are done in groups and online. The assessment is individual.

B - Course #1 - Theoretical basics - 12 hours:

February 2027

Painting in emotional expression and teaches the fundamentals of the concept of catharsis.
It is offered in the form of lectures and videos and ends with a group session to review what has been learned.

C - Course #2 - Specific features of the CAP program - 12 hours:

March and April 2027

This course describes the CAP process and its therapeutic function, as well as the symbolic and mobilizing function of drawing induced by listening to specific music.
It is offered in the form of lectures and videos and ends with a group session to study the characteristics of the CAP program.

D - Course #3 - Detailed procedures - 14 hours:

May and June 2027

This course describes all the protocols for individual, couple, and group sessions with a variety of audiences. It is offered in the form of lectures and videos and ends with a group session for role-playing exercises.

E - In-person internship - 1 day of 7 hours:

July 2027

This internship allows trainees to meet, not only to reinforce what they have learned, but also to potentially form bonds so they can help each other.

F - Completing the CAP Program with one client - 24 hours

September to December 2027

During this phase, trainees apply the complete CAP program with one of their clients, under the supervision of their trainer.

G - Course #4 - Theoretical training in drawing analysis - 28 hours:

January to March 2028:

Based on drawings made by the trainees' clients, this online course provides an introduction to the analysis and interpretation of drawings. It includes learning the criteria for identifying the expression of depression, burnout, inhibitions, trauma, and grief in graphic productions. During this phase, trainees also learn how to offer an individual assessment and develop a personalized therapeutic plan, if necessary.

H - In-person internship - 1 day of 7 hours:

April 2028

During this internship, each participant prepares a case study and presents it to the other participants.

Help for beginners

Trainees can benefit from an individual online session to help them set up their own personal practice with CAP, tailored to their vision. A professional coach helps them define clear goals for their practice with CAP.

Active and engaging teaching methods

We do everything we can to ensure that trainees are active participants in their learning process so that they acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to implement CAP.

Our teaching method is based on the following philosophy:

TO REGISTER for the CAP 2026 training Program


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How It Works

  • You are assigned a CAP Trainer who will follow you throughout the program.
  • You will have access to individual online support for any questions or difficulties you may encounter during the training.
  • Before the training begins, you will receive a drawing kit by mail containing all the necessary materials.
  • The training is divided into several phases, with an assessment at the end of each one. This allows you to fully integrate each step of the process before moving on to the next. Your trainer is available to answer any questions you may have.
  • Each time you pass a course based on your written work; you will receive the next course. If your written work is not accepted, you will have the opportunity to redo the exercise a second time, under certain conditions.
  • For completing the CAP Program with one client, you will receive a drawing kit by mail containing all the necessary materials, or if the program is online, your client will receive the kit directly at their home.
  • If the CAP Program with one of your clients takes place online, a temporary professional account will be made available to you, allowing you to schedule your sessions with your client.
  • Once you have completed the training, a professional online account will be created, allowing you to offer the CAP program online. You will have access to all the music and documents. The subscription is free for the first year.
  • You do not need to create your own website, as you will be listed on the Planet-CAP website as a certified CAP practitioner.
  • Once you have completed the training, you can benefit from an individual consultation with a professional coach to help you set up your own individual CAP practice.
  • You can order kits for your patients. The materials will be shipped directly to your center or private practice.
  • We offer supervision to help you in your learning process.

Learn more about our advanced training courses

The complete course is a 6-year program.
Level 2 is for those who wish to specialize in drawing analysis. See CAP Training Level 2 Course Details
Level 3 is for those who want to become CAP trainers. See CAP Training Level 3 Course Details

For centers or mental health organizations, the training is available in a shorter version.



For centers or mental health organizations, the training is available in a shorter version.


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student

About Your Instructor, Chantal Desmoulins


Chantal Desmoulins, is a graduate of University of Grenoble III and Grenoble's Imaginary Research Center. Her Master's Degree was devoted to Comparative Literature within the framework of the Imaginary Research Center open to interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity and multi-referentiality. She met there Gilbert Durand who was the co-founder in 1966 — and the director of the «Centre de recherche sur l’imaginaire». He was a follower of Gaston Bachelard, Henry Corbin and Carl Gustav Jung. Gilbert Durand gained a worldwide notoriety and his Center is currently a group of an international network of over sixty laboratories.

In 1981 Chantal met Dr. Alain Amouyal and was so impressed by the psychological power of his music that she invested her considerable expertise in symbolism, anthropology, psychology and pedagogy into the organization of his research, drafting the CAP method's therapeutic protocol. She also developed a unique analysis of the results, allowing therapists to offer engaging and effective support.

Since 1985, Ms. Desmoulins has supervised the implementation of The Catharsis Application Program – a psycho-emotional therapy using art in the framework of therapy.
She trains medical and mental health personnel nationally (CNPG, Professional Training) and internationally and has delivered more than 100 conferences world-wide.

She also supervises the analysis of the patients' drawings in different medical setting. This ongoing relationship with both the practitioners and the patients allows her to ensure the utmost quality in the application of her method, and to maximize the positive results for the patients.

Her work consists in training the professionals she works with – as well as the clients with whom she works - to discover the richness contained in the world of images, symbols and archetypes and to recognize their ability to mobilize, transform and regenerate.

We provide a proven and uniquely efficient learning experience,
and will be here to guide you through every step of your journey
with the Catharsis Application Program.



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“I am the Clinical Director at OPICA Adult Day Center where I have been working for the past ten years with people in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders causing memory impairment. The group that took part in CAP consisted of seven men and one female all diagnosed with some form of dementia and in the early to moderate stages of the disease. Although this group was familiar with using expressive arts as a part of group process, the consistency of using music and art together on a weekly basis in a non-directive manner was quite beneficial for the group members. The consistency of CAP seemed to support the ability to initiate which can be impaired very early on in dementia. The brief experience with the CAP also supported the ability to concentrate and attend as well as stimulate memory, self-expression and overall sense of well-being. The positive experience the group members had with the CAP would be well worth further exploration not only with this population but with the caregivers as well.”
— Anne Galbraith, MFT/ATR Clinical Director OPICA Adult Day Center LOS ANGELES

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