{"id":124913,"date":"2022-01-25T11:00:43","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T11:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=124913"},"modified":"2022-03-01T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T12:00:00","slug":"what-is-expressive-arts-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-expressive-arts-therapy.htm","title":{"rendered":"What is Expressive Arts Therapy and Can it Help You?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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photo by Ron Lach at Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n

Heard of expressive arts therapy? But<\/strong> assumed it couldn’t be a serious form of psychotherapy?<\/p>\n

Think again. It’s a recognised and recommended intervention that requires no previous experience with creativity or art, and is suitable for all ages.<\/em><\/p>\n

What is expressive arts therapy?<\/h2>\n

Expressive arts therapy uses creativity to treat<\/strong> mental health issues, emotional problems, and life challenges<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The idea is that the process of making something<\/strong> works as a way for us to communicate with ourselves<\/a> and find self-expression. And it allows us to understand our own potential and personal power<\/a> to create not just art, but our own lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If it’s helpful, think of expressive arts therapy as<\/strong> counselling that doesn’t need to involve much verbal expression. So in this way it’s the opposite to other forms of psychotherapy.<\/p>\n

What types of art are used during an art therapy session?
\n<\/span><\/h2>\n

Again, it\u2019s about the process of creating<\/a>. Not about adhering to one form or style of art. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Expressive arts therapy can encompass<\/strong> painting, drawing, sculpture, collage. Working with clay, words<\/a>, dance<\/a>, drama, movement, singing. Really anything that is about making something. <\/span><\/p>\n

What is a typical expressive arts therapy session like?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is not a \u2018typical\u2019 way for an art therapy session to be.<\/strong> Art therapy can be done in groups, or alone<\/a>. It can involve your therapist giving you a certain goal<\/a> for a creative task, such as asking you to draw your feelings around a certain situation. Or it could involve free expression to see what comes forth.<\/p>\n

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photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels<\/p><\/div>\n

And art therapy might also be integrated with other forms<\/strong> of psychotherapy. You might, for example, be working with a therapist who also trained in psychodynamic therapy<\/a>, or CBT.<\/a> They would integrate methods from these therapies with art in your sessions. <\/span><\/p>\n

What issues can art therapy help with?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Here in the UK art therapies are officially <\/strong>recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).<\/a> They recommend them <\/span>for children, young people, and adults with schizophrenia<\/a> and psychosis<\/a>. NICE also suggests creative therapies as a helpful treatment for children and young people recovering from abuse<\/a> or with chronic fatigue syndrome<\/a>, and as a wellbeing activity<\/a> for those 65 and over.<\/span><\/p>\n

With its focus on creativity over verbal expression, art therapy is also often used for <\/strong>\u00a0those with learning issues<\/a> that affect their communication. This includes\u00a0 autism<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Other issues that might be helped with expressive arts therapy\u00a0 include: <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n