Where do I get training?
The training dates and locations of LIVE trainings are not always included on our website. Teachers are encouraged to list training, but there are venues at universities that are usually not posted on our site. It is always a good idea to contact a MARI Teacher that is nearest your location, or the MARI coordinator, Jill Rogers at jill@expmari.com. for the most current information.
MARI Creative Resources also offers live online trainings and are working on a self-paced online training that we hope to begin to offer sometime in 2025.
Who can take the training?
MARI assessments:
MARI is a non-verbal and non-threatening assessment tool. As a tool, it has be used primarily for ages fourteen and up. While it basic application as it is taught requires a higher level of fluid cognitive ability, we do have practitioners that have adapted it, based on their personal extensive experience with both the MARI and their under age 14y clients.
If you are interested in getting a MARI assessment, you may schedule with any MARI practitioner or teacher listed on our website. The typical cost of a one-time (1.0-2.0 hour) assessment experience with MARI is around $100.00 per hour.
MARI training:
MARI is recommended for mental health professionals at the Master level. With few exceptions, other related fields may be considered with a minimum of a 4 year degree and additional training and/or experience.
How does the training work?
The INTENSIVE
You will learn the basics of MARI utilizing your materials, manual, a very visual PowerPoint presentations, and interactions with your MARI Teacher and other trainees in the INTENSIVE class.This is approximately 18 hours of training and varies depending on class size and the additional information that some teachers bring with them. We have MARI Teachers that also specialize in GIM, Sand Play, and other specialties that blend well with MARI and may include some of this training experience in addition to the core training.
PRACTICUM
Practice, however is very important. The more you do MARI, the more you understand it. Practicing with others gives you the opportunity to integrate what you have learned and the information in the manuals with each new MARI. The on-line MARI is typically spread out over many weeks. Because you are taking the online class at home, you have access to people to practice with and more time to do it. For this reason, practice time is part of the online class. Eight practice MARI/mandala sessions are required to become a Certified MARI Practitioner – and typically students start to feel comfortable after they have done this.
In the INTENSIVE you will receive the core training you need to begin to do MARI as practice sessions. If you are attending a MARI class in person at a training site, you typically will not do your practice MARI/mandala combinations until you return home. After you have completed eight MARI/mandala sessions, you then contact your original teacher for supervision or for a recommendation to another MARI Teacher to complete your supervision. These are usually conducted online, however when they are part of a university program, in person is also possible.
TEACHER TRAINING
Teacher training is also offered online. You must have a masters degree in a mental health field to met the requirement to become a Certified MARI Teacher. Please contact MARI Creative Resources for more information.
How much does it cost?
MARI INTENSIVE TRAINING – Online – $799.99 includes practicum
MARI LIVE TRAINING -Tuition costs are variable -depending on numerous factors such as whether or not practicum is included, the teacher is renting space, it is on a cruise, early registration savings, etc. Typically the live trainings cost between $499.00 -$799.00 (this often does not include supervision)
MATERIALS FEE -$355.00 – Materials include MARI cards, Great Round board, scoring pads, the MARI manual, white felt cloth, oil pastels, and tote bag. When you purchase MARI materials, you are purchasing licensed and copy-written materials that are not available to the public and can only be purchased as part of a training program.
What are the options for training?
Live Training – Anyone who has taken MARI training will tell you taking a live training is best. The training is deeply personal. The student has the experience of seeing and processing their own MARI for the first time. In addition, they are introduced to a vast amount of material -that is presented in numerous formats such as power point, lecture, hands on, question and answer and experiential.
Webinar – this option is also live. The student calls in and is part of a live audio training. They can ask questions and interact with others. The visuals are viewed on a computer screen.
Virtual Classroom – the student sees and can interact with the teacher and other students
We come to you. A MARI teacher will come to your area if there are have at least ten interested students. With this option, the student who has inquired is responsible for attracting and organizing the new students and obtaining a classroom for training. The student who does this will receive a reduction in their own tuition.
Why is MARI training so special?
The training involves your whole brain. The left brain is filled with information about color, symbol and stage. While there is much to learn, we provide a wonderful manual for the Intensive MARI training. The manual includes color pages so there is stronger visual connection to the colors in the kit. The student will have ready access to the information after training in print as well as visual queues.
At the same time the right brain is fully activated. The learner creates mandala and chooses their own MARI symbol and color cards. They see the results of their own psychic process and contents in the MARI for the first time -so it is deeply personal and often emotional.
The training is designed to focus on the student first as the “person taking” the MARI. As the class unfolds, the training shifts to teach the student to become the “person who is giving the MARI.”
Perhaps the most important reason why MARI is so special is because it is rooted in wholeness.
Wholeness is literally a stage on the MARI that is in the world but not of the world. It is a stage that informs and grounds every other stage. This perspective provides a transpersonal and positive perspective for the MARI, and all interpretations of symbol and color flow from this perspective.
Refund and Grievance Policy
Any person who is not satisfied with the MARI training or materials may contact owner, Michele Takei at mari4info@gmail.com or (919) 821-4222 to discuss any issue. In most cases, a full refund for tuition will be issued to the student upon return of the materials. Any training materials that are deemed less than satisfactory will be replaced at no cost to the student.
Cancellation and Refund policy
A class may be cancelled if the number of students does not meet the expectations of the teacher. Students who have pre-registered will be notified. Students who have paid a partial or full deposit will have all monies for materials and tuition refunded.
Students, who have signed up for a live class that is cancelled for any reason, will have the opportunity to attend the live on-line classes that are accessed via computer and held on a regular basis, if they desire.