Expressive Arts Therapy

The expressive arts therapy differentiates itself from art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy etc… by allowing room to move from one art form to another.  My expertise allows for this facilitation that deepens the art-making process and allows for a richness that can be intergraded into one’s life.  The expressive arts therapy approach is a client centered approach which allows for the individual to choose and to lead through the art-making.  I facilitate a space that nurtures the art-making, the art created and especially the relationship between the individual and the therapist, also known as the therapeutic relationship.

This approach also differs from traditional psychotherapy as it uses art, imagery, stories, Fairytales, symbolism, archetypes which are beyond words.  Their representation is much like the saying "a picture speaks a thousand words".  Our inner landscape is often difficult to articulate, especially for children.  The expressive arts therapy leads individuals into the mythic and the symbolic world.  It is here that we create and effect change through the art-making process.  

As an example for an individual session:

• The individual’s issue is discussed and isolated.  We often use the body senses to access a body awareness of the issue.
• The issue is put aside and the individual and I step into the studio where the individual chooses the art form and the art-making process begins. 
• I will hold the place of witness, observer and support in the art-making process. 
• I can also step into the art-making process with the individual. 
• I encourage, support and sometimes demonstrate how to follow the creative impulse that arises from within us. 
• We step back from the image, the story, the creation, the art and allow ourselves to discuss, observe and or respond to the art. 
• At this time, we re-introduce the initial issue and reflect on its connection with the art created. 
• We gather what was learned through the expressive arts therapy process. We link the learning back into the individual’s life and it becomes a resource for them.