Expressive Arts Therapy Essay - 1176 Words

Expressive arts therapy is the use of art modalities, creative process, and aesthetic experience in a therapeutic context. It is a therapy of the imagination (McNiff, 1992). Effective communication is an essential element in therapeutic relationships and, although verbal language is the most conventional means of conveying information, other forms can convey just as much as words. The arts are an alternative form of communication that has recently received recognition for their value in therapeutic settings. There is a long well-established connection between the arts and psychology. Expressive arts therapy builds on a natural, complimentary relationship between the two disciplines. As a formal therapy, this form is relatively new with its†¦show more content†¦The surrealist movement holds emotional authenticity and social activism as the highest ideals. Influenced by the work of Freud and Jung, the arts are viewed as psychic manifestations that go deeper than external reali ty. Spontaneous techniques, like psychic automatism (i.e. automatic writing and drawing), generate images from the unconscious and result in content similar to dream experiences and contemplating these images provides a new experience of reality (McNiff, 2009). Surrealism is not the only movement that influences expressive arts therapy. Other movements have made important contributions to both the philosophical foundations of art in psychology and the development of expressive arts therapy as a formal discipline. Wassaly Kadinsky, a German abstract expressionist, explored color, shape, and form as an expression of spirituality. He developed theories regarding the nature of art and the role of the artist as a â€Å"prophet†. His theories are based on inner experiences and art as the soul of nature and humanity. Joseph Beuys explored the role of artist as shaman. In his performance art, like How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare, he chose materials and actions for their symbolic value and manipulated them to affect the viewer. Spontaneous creativity is the focus of the beat generation. Writers, like Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, workedShow MoreRelatedExpressive Arts Therapy Essay1875 Words   |  8 PagesBefore we can understand what expressive art therapy is, however, an understanding of terms, like imagination and creativity, is necessary. There is a lack of consensus about how imagination and creativity are defined and who is capable of it. In therapeutic contexts, the essence of imagination is the substance of dreams. Dreams, however, are not just images. In dreams, sounds, rhythms, acts, etc. can be perceived in a sensory or experiential way (Levine Levine, 2004). Creativity springs from imaginationRead MoreExpressive Arts Therapy Essay2206 Words   |  9 PagesThe guidelines for practice of expressive arts therapy is informed by six principles: physical environment, emotional safety, non-interpretative approaches, role in assessment or diagnosis, media choices, and empathetic listening. Suitable physical environments are caring and safe places. Physical spaces are ones of privacy and comfort. Emotional safety is found in the rapport established between the therapist and client as well as ensuring t hat creative products will be treated confidentially.Read MoreExistential and Expressive Arts Therapy Essay1762 Words   |  8 PagesExistential and Expressive Arts Therapy Sarà © Gebhardt GEXTH 5102.01 Karen Estrella November 30, 2008 Sometime in the late eighties, Shaun McNiff, Sr. Kathleen Burke and I sat in a small pub in Cleveland, Ohio. It was after midnight when conversation turned to my writing project, this book. Sr. Kathleen asked, â€Å"What’s the title going to be?† â€Å"Well,† I replied, â€Å"the working title is Existential Art Therapy.† Shaun sighed. â€Å"Bruce, don’t be redundant. All art is existential.† †¦I haveRead MoreThe Worlds Self Conscious And The Healing Process1619 Words   |  7 PagesHistorical Relevance. â€Å"Our century s self-conscious interest in culture and society has produced valuable attempts to retell the Western past with the aid of such organizing principles as technological change, art collecting† (Barzun, 1990, p. xiii) Considering modern globalization trends, technology and data flow, the comparative historical approach has â€Å"identified general features of the modern capitalist economy† (Bentz Shapiro, 1998, p.134) as more relevant. Trends from Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)Read MoreThe Person Centered Therapy Approach1487 Words   |  6 Pagesapproach of therapy as a reaction to the directive approach of psychoanalysis and behaviorism. 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While recognizing that no one approach is perfect, the author discussesRead MoreEssay On Improving Health And Wellness736 Words   |  3 Pagesgroup showed a drop in HIV viral loads, and an increase CD4+ lymphocyte counts. The CD4+ lymphocyte counts continuously increas ed over the six month period, while the control group’s CD4+ lymphocyte counts remained stable. Poetry is another form of expressive writing. Various authors describe poetry as a way for people to gain access to their innermost thoughts. Writing poetry can be healing because it allows writers the opportunity for self-expression not otherwise felt through everyday words. All typesRead More Emotional Release: Benefits of Art Therapy   Essay2772 Words   |  12 PagesTitle Emotional Release: Benefits of Art Therapy A 6-year-old girl sits next to her therapist, with signs of anxiety upon her face. Pieces of paper, pencil and some markers are placed in front of the girl. She is hesitant to speak out, but these colors do help release some of the tension in the air. She begins to draw and paint, in a matter of fifteen minutes she finishes with a sequence of fourteen pictures: â€Å"A little girl pig is attacked by a man who wax her with a big stickRead MoreArt Therapy As An Industry2159 Words   |  9 PagesArt Therapy Art therapy as an industry is surrounded by many questions. Questions that are led by a lack of conclusive evidence. Art Therapy has multiple techniques and options, though many are left undiscovered due to such controversy surrounding the industry. Art Therapy can help lead to countless diagnoses, anything from Alzheimer’s to depression; and can be used in marriage counselling or physical ailments. With so many uses, why is this form of therapy still looked down upon by such a vastRead MoreArt Therapy Essay2790 Words   |  12 PagesWhat Is Art Therapy? Most forms of therapy are centered on verbal communication. Art therapy, however, breaks that mold and introduces a more creative means of both communicating ideas and learning to grow. The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as: Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness