expressive therapy
TRANSCRIPT
Art not only reproduces the visible, but makes visible that which is not easily seen.’Kimon Nikolaides, arts educator
‘Imagination is more important
than knowledge’ – Albert Einstein
• Expressive therapy, also known as the expressive therapies, expressive arts therapy or creative arts therapy, is the use of the creative arts as a form of therapy. Unlike traditional art expression, the process of creation is emphasized rather than the final product. Expressive therapy is predicated on the assumption that people can heal through use of imagination and the various forms of creative expression.
• Expressive arts therapy is the practice of using imagery, storytelling, dance, music, drama, poetry, movement, horticulture, dream work, and visual arts together, in an integrated way, to foster human growth, development, and healing. It is about reclaiming our innate capacity as human beings for creative expression of our individual and collective human experience in artistic form. Expressive arts therapy is also about experiencing the natural capacity of creative expression and creative community for healing.
• Expressive therapy is an umbrella term. Some common types of expressive therapy include:
• expressive arts therapy• art therapy• dance therapy, also known as dance/movement therapy• drama therapy• psychodrama• music therapy• writing therapy, a term which may encompass journaling,
poetry therapy, and bibliotherapy• Therapeutic Recreation• horticultural therapy
• Unlike with talk therapies, expressive
therapies are difficult for the client to
hide important information—it may
come out symbolically or literally.
“Expressive methods can and do
stimulate the flow of traumatic
memories, either in the form of trauma
narratives (stories about the event) or
implicit experiences (sensory memories
of the event) because of the tactile,
kinethetic, auditory, inherent to creative
activities.”
(Malchiodi, 2008)
• Sometimes it’s difficult for clients—
especially young ones––to talk about
traumatic memories. They may do
better playing, drawing, painting, or
working in the sand tray.
• Young children think concretely. Play
therapy allows children to process
abstract occurrences into more concrete
experiences in a language they can
understand: play.
• Almost everyone connects with music. If
using songs, find and provide copies of
the lyrics. Encourage clients to bring in
or suggest songs or other music they
find meaningful.
Expressive work should be taken
for what it is, nothing more. Some
clinicians read more into the
products of expressive work than
is prudent.
“Your initial inclination will be to glance at a sketch
and start interpreting….Don’t. The one reliable
thing you can do is to see how it feels to you.
Then put it in a spot where you will see it often for
a few days.
“If you notice yourself placing phallic
references all over or negativity about one area
consistently, stop and consider yourself. Are you
inserting your experiences into the interpretation?”
(Coles, 2003)
Use digital photo to document sand
tray scenes, art work, and even play
room constructions.
Include color prints of the photos with
session documentation.
Be careful to keep the client
out of the picture.
Be watchful for abreaction,
and be prepared to address it.
Sometimes expressive therapy
can be surprisingly overwhelming
in its effect
on the client—
and the therapist.
Know what you’re doing.
As with any other therapeutic
approach, get sufficient training
and/or supervision before using
expressive therapy interventions.