Expressive Arts Therapy

Introduction

A multimodal therapeutic technique, expressive arts therapy is related to music therapy and drama therapy. Painting, music, dance, theater, writing, and/or movement are all possible components of expressive arts therapy. A licensed therapist encourages clients using expressive arts therapy to investigate their feelings, thoughts, and revelations via images, sounds, investigations, and interactions with artistic processes. Expressive arts therapy may be used by anybody and is not dependent on creative talent.

EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY PROCESS

• When expressive arts are used, a person in treatment has more options for finding purpose, understanding, and recovery. By recognizing that every person’s journey is different, it goes beyond and enriches conventional talk therapy. While some people enjoy conversation therapy, others may find that journaling, exercise, painting, or a variety of other activities work better for them throughout treatment.

• Because the process of creation is prioritized above artistic results, expressive arts therapy is incredibly accessible. It is not necessary for someone to be artistic to use expressive arts therapy. Rather, the imagination may process, thrive, and promote healing when the person uses their senses. Because of this, the procedure is frequently called

• Every expressive arts therapist carefully considers which creative arts modality to utilize because they are all distinct. For a person who is new to treatment, writing might be a suitable expressive outlet. On the other hand, someone who has already developed a close therapeutic bond with their therapist could find value in the use of drama or movement. The degree to which each modality should be used carefully depends on the patient’s preparedness, readiness, timing, and strength. Various modalities can be applied as needed at each stage of the treatment process. The individual receiving treatment may also be given homework to do in between sessions.

CONDITIONS TREATED WITH EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY

For a wide range of behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues, expressive arts therapy may be a component of the treatment plan. These consist of:

• Deficit of attention hyperactivity
• Developmental impairments
• Dietary issues
• Severe brain damage
• Elevated tension levels
• Unease
• Depressive States
• Terrifying events
• Persistent medical conditions
• Social difficulties

EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY TECHNIQUES

Several definitions of expressive arts therapy highlight the employment of certain elements including play, music, dance, sculpture, painting, and sketching in addition to psychodrama. However, in order to give the patient in therapy the best care possible, therapists may decide to mix a few different approaches.

Many artistic and drawing mediums are used in popular therapeutic treatments, such as:

• Drawing using your fingers
• The drawing game with squiggles (sometimes utilized in various therapeutic procedures, particularly with young patients)
• Making Masks
• The wet paper and blob method
• The method of dynamic family sketching
• To provide an example, finger painting may be utilized as a sort of projective play in which the therapist records the person’s work rate, rhythm, and the colors and line types they employ.

The therapist will explain the technique during a normal session; however, they will not recommend a particular theme or colors to be utilized. Alternatively, the therapist could give you general directions like “paint a picture of a dream you had” or “paint something important to you.” The therapist then keeps an eye on the client’s conduct and the content they are creating. When the painting is complete, the therapist will invite the person who is affected to provide a narrative about the piece.

Children with behavioral problems or other linked mental health difficulties have responded well to finger painting therapy. Therapists may get insight into a child’s inner world, motor abilities, and personality qualities by using this approach consistently.  

EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY RESEARCH

• According to studies, people with a variety of social, developmental, and behavioral problems may benefit from listening to music since it may help them become more self-aware and confident as well as teach them new concepts and abilities. Children with social anxiety or hyperactivity have also benefited from expressive arts therapy in controlling their impulsive and violent behaviors.

• Expressive arts therapy has been utilized to assist people with disordered eating behaviors in exploring issues related to body image, self-esteem, social isolation, and depression, despite the paucity of data from empirically rigorous research in this respect.

• Expressive arts therapy may also be advantageous for those who are unwell. Previous studies have looked into how taking artistic photos might help people deal with the stress of being hospitalized. According to the results of another study, older men and women who participate actively in choirs report improved health, fewer medical visits, fewer falls, and lower medication use than their colleagues who do not participate in formal arts programs.

• Lastly, another research on kids with cystic fibrosis who participated in a creative arts support program revealed the kids gained new skills for self-expression, stress management, and finding purpose in their present state of health.

HOW ART THERAPY DIFFERS FROM EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY

Creative arts therapy includes modalities including dance/movement therapy, music therapy, art therapy, poetry therapy, and expressive arts therapy. Despite the fact that most of these fields are centered around a particular artistic medium, expressive arts therapy incorporates therapeutic methods and instruments from several artistic disciplines. When several arts-based treatment methods are combined, a new approach is created that is unique from its constituent parts. Licensed expressive arts therapists use both their intuition and education to determine which modality is best for a given situation. In a single treatment session, expressive arts therapists may even include methods from several different modalities.

Expressive arts therapy emphasizes how creative expression may have a therapeutic impact and emphasizes how people can translate their ideas, feelings, and experiences into concrete forms. The method is called “integrative” when various artistic mediums are purposefully combined with conventional medical practices to advance better health.

TRAINING FOR EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPISTS

A master’s degree in counseling with a focus on expressive arts therapy from an authorized university is the minimum requirement for training as an expressive arts therapist. Furthermore, several educational institutions provide expressive arts studies or degree programs for people who want to apply the expressive arts in allied professions including teaching, coaching, and consulting. There are alternatives for bachelor’s and doctoral degrees, and worldwide certification and training programs are always expanding.

LIMITATIONS OF EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY

The fact that the main cause of healing is not always obvious is one of the main accusations leveled against expressive arts therapy. It’s unclear if constructive interactions with the therapist contribute to recovery or if the creative process itself does. There is a dearth of empirical data to demonstrate the approach’s success, which is concerning because the majority of currently published research emphasize the approach’s incalculable qualitative advantages.

Word by TalktoAngel

You must choose a Therapist that specializes in expressive arts and has expertise and understanding in this field if you would want to pursue expressive arts therapy for your child. One option is TalktoAngel, an Online Counseling service with highly skilled and knowledgeable Child Counselor.

During an expressive arts therapy session, your therapist could guide you through an expressive art project to help you examine your child’s feelings. For example, the therapist for your child may give you homework or focus on certain creative forms such as writing or dance. Hence, promoting the child’s overall growth.