What’s the difference between expressive arts therapy and art therapy?

What’s the difference between expressive arts therapy and art therapy?

The difference between expressive arts therapy and art therapy is that expressive arts therapy draws from a variety of art forms such as writing, psychodrama, dance, movement, painting, drawing, sculpting, play and music (or a combination of them), while art therapy is based on one particular art form. Visual art, music, dance/movement, drama, and expressive writing are the primary expressive arts modalities used in counseling. The creative arts offer both the clinician and the client an opportunity to move beyond the expressive limits of talk therapy. Art Therapy Is Not for Everyone While high levels of creativity or artistic ability aren’t necessary for art therapy to be successful,10 many adults who believe they are not creative or artistic might be resistant or skeptical of the process. The Expressive Arts Area of Learning and Experience (Area) spans five disciplines: art, dance, drama, film and digital media and music. Although each discipline has its own discrete body of knowledge and body of skills , it is recognised that together they share the creative process . Modern expressive arts therapy emerged in the early 1900’s when psychiatrists began categorizing the spontaneously created art works of asylum patients. The field of psychology has a long and unfortunate history of stigmatizing mental illness.

Who benefits from expressive arts therapy?

Children of all ages, both special needs and not, may not have the language skills to express themselves, but they still have a voice. Expressive arts awaken a child’s imagination and creativity to help him discover who he is and how to engage his senses. The Expressive Arts is made up of three subjects – Music, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. Students develop knowledge and skills in each subject. Effectiveness. Research suggests that the use of the expressive arts for therapeutic purposes offers several benefits. A few of these include developing strengths and skills, personal growth, symptom reduction, improved communication, and making meaning of personal experiences. In an expressive therapy session, a trained therapist guides you through the process of expressing yourself through art. It’s usually a mix of different activities, but sometimes therapists focus on just one. For example, writing or keeping a journal might be better for someone who is new to therapy.

What is the primary limitation of expressive arts therapy?

Limitations of Expressive Arts Therapy. One of the major criticisms of expressive arts therapy is the fact that the primary reason for healing is not clearly discernible. It is not clear whether healing occurs from the creative process or if it is due to positive interactions with the therapist. Journaling, storytelling, reading literature and poetry, as well as making life maps, videos, and memory books are all forms of expressive art therapy; this can help more mature clients review and make meaning of their lives; this is a way to tell their life stories, as well as work through and heal from traumatic … It is not therapy. Therapy aims at transformation through understanding. Art aims at transformation more directly. When we make a piece of art about something we don’t understand, we come to understand it, or, at least, our relationship to it through our own experience—which is more full-bodied than merely cerebral. There is increasing evidence in rehabilitation medicine and the field of neuroscience that art enhances brain function by impacting brain wave patterns, emotions, and the nervous system. Art can also raise serotonin levels. These benefits don’t just come from making art, they also occur by experiencing art. It was under Expressive Arts Study Area that Music, Art and Design and Physical Education were grouped as three contributory subjects.

What skills are required in expressive arts therapy?

It is integral in the development of social skills, speech, imitation, comprehension, problem solving, conflict resolution, awareness of environment, social reciprocity, and social behavior. It is integral in the development of social skills, speech, imitation, comprehension, problem solving, conflict resolution, awareness of environment, social reciprocity, and social behavior.

Who is the founder of expressive art therapy?

Krupa Jhaveri, PhD – Founder, International Expressive Arts Therapist – Sankalpa: Art Journeys | LinkedIn. Art therapy is an integrative mental health profession that combines knowledge and understanding of human development and psychological theories and techniques with visual arts and the creative process to provide a unique approach for helping clients improve psychological health, cognitive abilities, and sensory-motor … If you have good art skills it could be very worthwhile for you, if you like helping people. Art therapy is a very powerful way of working with clients. You utilize art skills with your clients to access and heal through their subconscious mind. Lucille Venture, PhD, ATR Dr. Venture was a founding member of the Maryland Art Therapy Association and the first art therapist to earn a doctorate (PhD) in art therapy. The goal of Expressive therapy is to promote healing and reveal any hidden truths or conflicts in a patient. The individual has no obligations in analyzing their own work because the goal is to help them by discussing the art in a non-judgmental manner and supportive setting.

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