workshops, classes, events, oh my!
workshops, classes, events, oh my!
UPCOMING
The Cacophony of Delight
August 13th, 6:30-8:30, Living Room, DC
One night of reflective, creative writing prompts offered in an immersive, community experience that will help you cultivate a practice of delight and leave you feeling more alive. Spend the evening noticing the delights that make life a little easier: like that ripple of coolness across your skin when you first dive into the pool. Or the passionfruit curd inside a yeasted doughnut. Or watching your nephew cuddle into the arm of the couch. Whether you love to write and have a regular creative practice, or you’ve barely written a thing since high school but keep wishing you at least journaled more…this workshop is for anyone that’s interested in using creative writing to get closer to themselves or simply just play a little! Tickets on sale here!
The Hatchery
September 17th-December 10th: Thursdays from 11-1pm EST, live on Zoom
In the words of Julia Cameron (the Artist’s Way), we all need a “safe hatchery” for our creative selves to tenderly come into being. This group is the community container you’ve been looking for. In this intimate group, you’ll be invited to identify the project, practice, or life change your soul has slowly been calling you toward, and finally give it the space and attention it deserves. Get on the list to learn more and get first access to sign up.
Art-Journaling for Self-Expression via Smithsonian Associates
September 23rd-October 8th, 2026: Wednesdays 11-1:30pm, in-person at the S. Dillon Ripley Center, DC
Tickets on sale August 7th.
The Artist’s Way workshop
offered yearly—always online, often in person (in DC), too.
The 2026 season has finished, but join the mailing list to be in on announcements so you can join a 2027 cohort.
The 2026 cohort of Carter’s signature Artist’s Way workshop just concluded after fourteen weeks of meeting together. Dreams were named, blocks were broken through, tears were shed, and each participant got more in touch with their own specificity.
My new podcast, How to Be Alive, is out now! In the first season (spring 2026), I had the privilege of interviewing some of the creative folks I admire most. Across ten conversations, I explored how creativity can help you become yourself, what improvisation can teach us about how to be human, and how your own creative becoming can play a role in this social and political moment. Even I’m listening back to some of these episodes as a reminder for why I believe creativity is essential to our mental health, and why it will forever be a spiritual framework for me.
RECENTLY
Carter regularly creates and facilitates workshops and classes that bring personal transformation and creative practice into unexpected places.
Find her in DC, Seattle, and online.
Get on the list to be in the know about all upcoming classes and workshops.
I’ll always share new classes in my newsletter. Sign up below!
The Artist's Way at Femme Fatale
This thirteen-week group offers a communal, experiential, and therapeutic experience as you walk through Julia Cameron’s legendary The Artist’s Way. Through group conversation and various writing and artistic prompts, you’ll be held in creative practice, and invited into a process of discovering, healing, and transforming your relationship to your creativity and the playful, sensuous, and brilliant artist you know you are deep down. Rather than being a place of escape from the world around you, this course will serve to nourish and deepen connection to your own soul so you can be better fueled and aware of what you bring to the table in a world that needs us to remain empathetic and awake.
Learn more or sign up here: https://www.carterumhau.com/artists-way-course-page
Art Journaling for Self-Expression (hosted by Smithsonian Associates)
This art journaling course invites you to respond to self-exploring prompts via mixed media. At the start of class, you are guided through a variety of mindfulness activities that teach you to make embodied choices in art making, emphasizing process over product and play over perfection and preparing you to step into an improvisational take on creativity. Expect a class grounded in creative theory and therapeutic principles that deepen your relationship with yourself as both an artist and a person.
The Artist's Way @ Playhaus, EVENINGS!
By popular demand, we're excited to announce a second EVENING GROUP option, for the Artist’s Way with Carter Umhau, at Playhaus! Join the community at Playhaus for a group experience walking week by week through Julia Cameron’s legendary The Artist’s Way. This thirteen-week group creates community around creative practice, inviting you into a process of discovering, healing, and transforming your relationship to your creativity and the weird, brilliant artist you know you are deep down.
The Artist's Way at Playhaus, Monday mornings
Join the community at Playhaus for a group experience walking week by week through Julia Cameron’s legendary The Artist’s Way. This thirteen-week group creates community around creative practice, inviting you into a process of discovering, healing, and transforming your relationship to your creativity and the weird, brilliant artist you know you are deep down.
Hot Girls Go to Therapy (at The Green Zone, DC!)
“Stirred Up DC presents Hot Girls Go to Therapy, a pop-up centered around femme mental health and rethinking accessability through creativity. The event highlight will be a panel discussion and Q&A featuring Maria Bastasch, Disco Mary Collective founder; Erica Christian, Empowering the Diner founder; therapist Rachel Klebanov, LPC, LCPC; and therapist and artist Carter Umhau, MA, LMHC.
There will be a showing of art by DC locals Carter Umhau, Lauren Bessette, and Janelle Whisenant.
A cocktail menu highlighting zero proof drinks will be curated, created, and served by Maya Makin and Ashley Amado—beloved Green Zone bartenders.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to The Women’s Center.
Doors @ 5
Panel @ 6
Live Art Therapy @ 7
DJ unt.il @ 9
Sacred Feminine Retreat with Haven Yoga
A weekend-long retreat on Orcas Island that asks you to explore the story of your body through the lens of yoga, reflection and writing, therapeutic massage, and luxurious meals. This is a retreat for all those that identify as female
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sacred-feminine-retreat-tickets-41319728420
New poetry on "The Appetite" podcast!
I host a podcast for Opal: Food + Body Wisdom, the eating disorder treatment program at which I've worked for the last three years. In this special bonus episode, I was asked to read five of my own poems and share my thoughts on the creative process and why writing has been so healing in my life...and, of course, what this has to do with therapy. Take a listen to this episode (and others) and let me know what you think!
(photo by Sharis Kevin)
Performing new poetry at The Fremont Abbey's The Round #153
This Valentine's Eve, join me at the Fremont Abbey for THE ROUND Jessica Dobson of Deep Sea Diver, Mike Edel of Mike Edel (wink wink), and Shay Carlucci of Maltby will be holding court on stage, playing songs one by one. I'll be joining the "round," performing five new poems. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, all poems reflect on relationship--relationship with myself.
Soul-Care for the Caretaker
For the caretakers, for the healers, for the story-keepers—for anyone needing to offer
themselves soul-care:
Enjoy a day-long retreat with Jenny Wade (psychotherapist, yoga therapist, and body
image expert) and Carter Umhau (psychotherapist, writer, and artist) for a day of reviving
your creativity and enlivening your body. Our soul longs to be embodied, to express, and
to connect to the sensuality of the world. This curated experience blends psychotherapy,
creative writing, yoga therapy, and delicious, intentional mealtimes in order to help you
come home to yourself more deeply.