Expressive Arts Therapy
What is it?
Expressive Arts Therapy is inclusive of all modalities of art in a therapeutic context for deepening connection, healing, self-awareness, and growth. Modalities of art include visual art (drawing, painting, collage, clay and sculpture, etc.), music and sound, dance/movement, drama, poetry, and many more.
The arts offer a new lens with which to view one’s life, relationships, challenges and triumphs and can bring forth insight and meaning that may not come as easily from traditional talk therapy. Expressive Arts Therapy can provide helpful tools to aid in increased understanding, adaptive communication, as well as enhance coping and self-care. The arts are a vehicle for client and therapist to explore and express what cannot otherwise be said.
Expressive Arts Therapy is appropriate for people of all ages and populations. Expressive Arts practices can be used in individual, couples, family, and group counseling and can additionally be adapted to school and community-based settings.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Yes! I meet my clients where you are and go with the pace you’re comfortable with. This means, if art isn’t your thing, we don’t have to do it. I work with many modalities of therapy, including mindfulness, skill-building, Narrative therapy techniques, somatic interventions, and Cognitive-Behavioral techniques in order to support my clients. Together, we will identify what works best in our sessions, so that we may process, explore, and express.
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No! The arts in therapy are about the process, not the product! We will work in modalities that speak to you and we will explore what it feels like to engage in the process of the creation and expression of the feelings, as opposed to creating an aesthetically pleasing finished product. Apprehension is okay and welcome, and we will work with it together as it, and similar feelings, arise.
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Most likely not, unless that is something that feels important to you! I move with my clients and what feels right to you. Some sessions you may need to talk the whole time. Sometimes, we may draw or use another art form as we talk. It truly depends on the needs of the client.
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No! The arts are for everyone and are appropriate in individual, couples, group, and family therapy. The arts can aid in what cannot otherwise be said. While adults may have some internal barriers to working with certain art forms, there may be another art form that really speaks to you. You’re never too old to use the arts as a healing practice!
Expressive Arts Trainings
FOR CLINICIANS, EDUCATORS, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS
