Expressive therapy

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EXPRESSIVE THERAPY SARIN RAJU CET,TRIVANDRUM

Transcript of Expressive therapy

EXPRESSIVE THERAPY

SARIN RAJU

CET,TRIVANDRUM

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

Why Use Expressive Therapies?

• Expressive therapies often provide

unexpected insight to the client and the

therapist.

• 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.

• Some clients find it easier to

talk while they’re busy doing

something else.

Ethical Considerations

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.

Integrate expressive therapy with

your own

theoretical foundation.

Interventions must make

therapeutic, clinical sense in

terms of treatment.