What is Expressive Arts Therapy?
So, what is expressive arts therapy? I come across this question a lot. When I tell people that I’m an expressive arts therapist, they are typically immediately curious to know more. Expressive arts therapy isn’t widely known, so it’s natural to have questions. Here’s a guide to help you understand what it is and how it works.
The Power of Creativity
Okay, so I’ll admit that I’m a bit biased, but expressive arts therapy is super awesome. Expressive arts therapy offers multiple ways to access emotions, honoring different strengths and styles of expression.
I grew up always being involved in different types of expressive things: drawing and painting pictures, writing stories, imaginative play, being in school plays, dance class, piano lessons, poetry readings, and even a little violin tossed in there at some point. All of these different activities were things that allowed me different ways to access my emotions. I didn’t connect these experiences to that or to expressive arts therapy at the time, but looking back, I sure can see it as part of the journey that brought me here to share with you today.
Many of the principles that helped shape the field of expressive arts therapy can be seen in cultures around the globe and date back for centuries. However, the actual term “expressive arts therapy” itself only goes back roughly 50 years. The term feels at once very familiar to a lot of people, yet still quite vague, which probably explains why there can be so much confusion around it.
What Are Creative Arts Therapies?
At its base, expressive arts therapy is a form of creative arts therapy. There are many forms of creative arts therapies, some of which you may have already heard of before. These include things like:
art therapy
drama therapy
dance therapy
poetry therapy
All creative arts therapies focus on using a different type of creative expression as a main tool to aid in the healing process. The therapies mentioned above typically focus on one individual modality as indicated by their specific name. Art therapy focuses on using visual art of various kinds; drama therapy focuses on using things like improv, re-enactments, etc.; dance therapy focuses on movement; poetry therapy focuses on writing and reading poetry, and so on. Expressive arts therapy is also a creative arts therapy, but it is unique because it is what is called intermodal. Each type of creative arts therapy uses a primary modality, allowing clients to engage in ways that feel most natural to them.
What Does Intermodal Mean?
Intermodal means expressive arts therapists mix different modalities to best fit your needs, comfort, and abilities. No two therapists or therapy sessions will look exactly the same. Their offerings will depend on things like training that the therapist received, their experience, and their conceptualization of which processes might be most helpful for you in your current situation.
I have known expressive arts therapists who came from a background in musical training, some who have roots in the world of dance, and others who started off their journey in the world of visual arts. It is never that we are equally skilled and knowledgeable in all of the areas of the arts. In fact, most of us feel stronger in more areas than others. The goal though is not to focus on the “products” we are making, but on the creative process itself. In short, we have all sought out to expand out “toolboxes” as it were, so we can bring in different opportunities for expression.
What Does Intermodal Work Look Like?
Intermodal work can look many different ways, including:
Drawing or painting to music
Creating an image and exploring your image through movement or writing
Taking a piece of your writing and acting it out as a mini-play
Engaging in a drama activity, but with a special focus on incorporating movement to enhance the telling of the story
And so on. The possibilities are flexible, and you can engage at your own pace and comfort level.
I hope that this gives you a better understanding of expressive arts therapy. If you have questions and would like to learn more, feel free to reach out and ask. If you are looking for help with a specific concern and want to see if expressive arts therapy might be a good approach for you, click the button below to schedule a free call
