Expressive arts therapy is a multimodal arroyo to therapy similar to its cousins drama therapy and music therapy. Expressive arts therapy may incorporate writing, drama, trip the light fantastic toe, movement, painting, and/or music. People utilizing expressive arts therapy are encouraged past a qualified therapist to explore their responses, reactions, and insights through pictures, sounds, explorations, and encounters with art processes. A person is not required to have artistic ability to use or benefit from expressive arts therapy.

  • History of Expressive Arts Therapy
  • Expressive Arts Therapy Procedure
  • Conditions Treated with Expressive Arts Therapy
  • Expressive Arts Therapy Techniques
  • Expressive Arts Therapy Research
  • How Art Therapy Differs from Expressive Arts Therapy
  • Training for Expressive Arts Therapists
  • Limitations of Express Arts Therapy

History of Expressive Arts Therapy

Detect a Therapist

Relatively new in its formation, expressive arts therapy began circa 1970 at the Leslie College Graduate Schoolhouse in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Paolo Knill, a leader in the field, founded the International Network of Expressive Arts Therapy Training Centers and, in 1984, began the ISIS European Preparation Institutes. Expressive arts therapy was formed as a singled-out practice aslope the modalities at the root of its cosmos. Information technology utilizes all expressive modalities such equally art, music, drama, and dance therapies. Although expressive arts therapists are non experts in all of these areas (many have multiple proficiencies), they typically possess the sensitivity and ability to grasp the intermodal technique.

Expressive Arts Therapy Procedure

Apply of the expressive arts multiplies the avenues past which a person in therapy may seek meaning, clarity, and healing. Information technology deepens and transcends traditional talk therapy by acknowledging that each person's process is unique. While one individual may like talk therapy, another person may prefer to employ journaling, movement, fine art, or a combination of different experiences during therapy.

The accessibility of expressive arts therapy is due to the focus being not on artistic outcomes just rather on the process of creating. A person who utilizes expressive arts therapy is not required to have any creative ability. Rather, it is through the use of the individual's senses that the imagination tin process, flourish, and support healing. As such, the process is frequently referred to as "depression skill, high sensitivity."

Each creative arts modality is unique, and the use of each is carefully considered by each expressive arts therapist. For example, journaling might be an advisable expressive outlet for someone new to therapy. On the other side of the spectrum, a person who has already established a strong therapeutic human relationship with his or her therapist may capeesh the utilize of movement or drama. Careful use of each modality is determined by the force, timing, pacing, and readiness of the person in therapy. Different modalities may be used at whatsoever point throughout the therapeutic process as needed. Homework may also be issued for the person in therapy to complete between sessions.

Weather condition Treated With Expressive Arts Therapy

Expressive arts therapy may be used equally a part of the treatment strategy for a broad variety of behavioral, emotional, and mental health weather. These include:

  • Attending-deficit hyperactivity
  • Developmental disabilities
  • Eating disorders
  • Traumatic encephalon injury
  • Loftier levels of stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Posttraumatic stress
  • Chronic medical illnesses
  • Social challenges

Expressive Arts Therapy Techniques

Many definitions of expressive arts therapy mention its apply of singled-out features such as music, movement, play, psychodrama, sculpture, painting, and drawing. If necessary, though, therapists may choose to combine several techniques in lodge to provide the most effective handling for the individual in therapy.

Popular therapeutic approaches may involve the use of various drawing and fine art techniques, including:

  • Finger painting
  • The squiggle drawing game (sometimes used in other therapeutic approaches, especially with children)
  • Mask making
  • The hulk and wet newspaper technique
  • The kinetic family drawing technique

To illustrate, finger painting may exist used as a form of projective play wherein the therapist takes annotation of the types of lines drawn, the colors used, also as the work rate and rhythm of the person in handling.

In a typical session the therapist will depict the process, but will not advise a specific topic or the colors to be used. Instead, the therapist may provide broad instructions such every bit "paint something important to you" or "paint a picture of a dream y'all had." The therapist and so observes the content being produced and the beliefs of the person in therapy. Once the picture is finished, the therapist will ask the afflicted individual to tell a story well-nigh the painting.

Finger painting has proven effective in the treatment of children with behavioral issues or other related mental health issues. Through consistent apply of this technique, therapists may be able to learn about a child's personality traits, motor skills, and inner world.

Expressive Arts Therapy Research

The therapeutic impact of expressive arts therapy is focused on four major areas:

  • Expression
  • Imagination
  • Active participation
  • Mind-body connection.

Studies indicate that music may help individuals experiencing a broad range of social, developmental, and behavioral problems grow in self-awareness and cocky-confidence and learn new skills and concepts. Expressive arts therapy has also successfully helped children experiencing hyperactivity or social anxiety to control impulsive and aggressive behaviors. Though evidence from empirically valid studies is limited, expressive arts therapy has been used to help individuals with disordered eating habits to explore issues regarding body paradigm, self-esteem, social isolation, and low.

People with medical illnesses may also benefit from expressive arts therapy. By research has studied how creating artistic photographs may help people cope with the distress of hospitalization. Another report concluded elderly men and women who are part of an active choir report amend wellness, less doctor visits, fewer falls, and less medication use than peers who are non part of an organized arts program. Finally, another trunk of research on children with cystic fibrosis who took part in a creative arts support program found the children learned how to improve limited themselves, reduce stress, and detect meaning in their current wellness state of affairs.

How Fine art Therapy Differs from Expressive Arts Therapy

Modalities such every bit fine art therapy, music therapy, verse therapy, dance/movement therapy, and expressive arts therapy are all examples of creative arts therapy. While the bulk of these disciplines are based in a single art modality, notwithstanding, expressive arts therapy integrates therapeutic tools and techniques from many unlike fine art forms. The combination of a diversity of arts-based therapeutic modalities creates a new arroyo which is distinct from its individual components. Certified expressive arts therapists rely on their creativity and training in order to determine which modality should be utilized at a particular fourth dimension. Expressive arts therapists may even employ techniques from a range of other modalities in a single therapy session.

The focus of expressive arts therapy is on the therapeutic effect of the creative experience, and information technology highlights the human capacity to transform thoughts, emotions, and experiences into tangible shapes and forms. The approach is described as "integrative" when different art techniques are intentionally used in combination with traditional medicines to promote improved health.

Grooming for Expressive Arts Therapists

Training to be an expressive arts therapist requires at least a chief'due south caste in counseling with a concentration in expressive arts therapy from an accredited university. Additionally, some institutions offering certificate programs or studies in expressive arts for those who wish to utilise the expressive arts in related fields such every bit coaching, consulting, and education. Available'south and PhD options are available, while certification and preparation continues to abound internationally.

For a list of current available resources, delight visit the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), which highlights graduate training programs, certificates, and professional development programs in expressive arts therapy. Those wishing to access this blazon of therapy are encouraged to find a therapist certified in expressive arts therapy.

Limitations of Expressive Arts Therapy

1 of the major criticisms of expressive arts therapy is the fact that the primary reason for healing is not clearly discernible. It is not articulate whether healing occurs from the creative procedure or if information technology is due to positive interactions with the therapist. As currently published studies tend to focus on immeasurable qualitative benefits, a lack of empirical bear witness in back up of the effectiveness of the approach is a concern.

References:

  1. Well-nigh Expressive Arts Therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ieata.org/almost.html
  2. Basso, R. & Pelech, W. (2008). Artistic arts in a children's cystic fibrosis continuing care program: A canadian case study. The International Journal of Learning, xv(five).
  3. Frisch, M. J., Franko, D. L. & Herzog, D. B. (2006). Arts-based therapies in the treatment of eating disorders. Eating Disorders, 14, 131-142.
  4. Henley, D. (1999). Facilitating socialization within a therapeutic camp setting for children with attending deficits utilizing the expressive therapies. American Journal of Art Therapy, 38.
  5. Improving Your Health Through the Arts. (2004, July). Health and Diet Letter of the alphabet, Tufts University.
  6. Stuckey, H. L. & Nobel, J. (2010). The connexion betwixt art, healing and public health: A review of current literature. American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 254-263.
  7. Trevisani, F., Casadio, R., Romagnoli, F., Zamagni, Yard. P., Francesconi, C., Tromellini, A., Di Micoli, A., Frigerio, M., Farinelli, G. and Bernardi, Chiliad. (2010). Art in the hospital: Its touch on on the feelings and emotional state of patients admitted to an internal medicine unit. The Periodical of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(8), 853-859.