Expressive Arts Therapy
“Art has the power to heal, inspire, provoke, challenge and offer hope.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
What is Expressive Arts?
Expressive Arts is a multi-modal integrated approach that uses creative self-expression as a way to achieve emotional release.
This therapeutic process of self-discovery provides a way to articulate one’s deeper emotions and inner truths to facilitate a deeper level of healing.
The use of imagery, various art mediums, sounds and music, poetry and text, sandtray, or movement often enables a person to access areas that may be difficult to express verbally.
It is through tapping into the senses that the imagination can process, flourish, and support healing.
What if I’m not artistic?
The expressive arts process is often referred to as “low skill- high sensitivity.” A person who utilizes expressive arts therapy is not required to have any artistic ability at all.
One of the best and most attractive parts of expressive arts therapy is that it is focused on the intuitive creative process, rather than an artistic final “product.”
These methods have an almost “magical” way of deepening and transcending traditional talk therapy by acknowledging that each person’s process is unique and every person has the capacity to create.
Expressive Arts techniques may include:
Drawing/Doodling
Coloring
Clay Sculpting
Painting/Finger-painting
Collage & Mosaics
Mask Making
Print making
Self-Portraiture
Dance and Movement
Improvisation
Filmmaking & Photography
Role-Playing
Music & Sound Exploration
Poetry
Journaling
Storytelling
“ The focus of expressive arts therapy is not based on artistic outcomes, but rather on the process of creating. ”
Expressive arts can be especially beneficial for individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, grief, stress, burnout, or life transitions.
The exploratory and non-judgmental nature of expressive arts creates a safe environment to uncover deeper emotional wounds, and process feelings that may be difficult to access with traditional talk therapy.
By cultivating new ways to heal and connect with oneself, expressive arts offers a multitude of opportunities for positive growth and personal empowerment. Potential benefits include:
Affect Regulation & Emotional Resilience
Creativity
Communication Skills
Developing Strengths
Mindfulness
Improved Self-Esteem
Personal-Expression
Stress Reduction
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