Expressive Art Therapy

An Alternative Option for Child Therapy

Overview

• Definition

• Art, music, and play focus

• Findings

• Recommendations

What is Expressive Art Therapy?

• Umbrella term that includes all forms of self-expression

• Psychotherapy, rehabilitation, counseling, or healthcare

• Both verbal and nonverbal

Art Therapy

• Creative process and responses

• Benefits

– Self-awareness

– Social skills

– Behavior Management

Music Therapy

• Methods

– Improvisation

– Recreation

• Benefits– Social behavior

– Cognitive skills

– Playfulness

Play Therapy

• Play as expressive art therapy

• Therapeutic and diagnostic tool

• Benefits – Social interaction

– Positive behavioral change

Findings

• Similar objectives and outcomes

– Mediates communication

– Improvement of social skills

– Improvement of interpersonal skills

• Autism

Recommendations

• Case studies and Autism

• Research with larger samples

• Research established programs