Expressive arts therapy is a type of therapy that incorporates and uses the arts to explore concerns or stuck places people might have in their lives. It also is for groups, couples conflict and peace building and can be of benefit to any emotional, behavioural, psychological, mental or social concern. This is a resource based therapeutic form in which working with the arts either with the therapist as a witness or as a co-creator, can help someone to open up areas and locate new perspectives. This approach is a highly non-judgemental, person centred empathetic one. The emphasis on the relationship between therapist and client is a very important part of expressive arts therapy. The therapist and client create the space between them together, rather than the therapist being a kind of expert or authoritative figure. This space is in constant shaping and re-shaping of the relationship and of the therapist and client themselves. The client really is the expert in their own lives. The therapist’s main concern is to hold the space in a loving, sensitive and respectful way for their clients to explore, create and remain open to the arrival of images and possibility.
An important aspect of expressive arts therapy is the low-skill, high sensitivity approach to art making. The client or therapist do not have to be highly skilled with one or all art modalities in order to express or create with them. It’s important to remain highly sensitive to the materials and what is presenting itself in the creation. It’s the competency of the expression using the arts that is what conveys the image or message.
During an expressive arts therapy session there is typically a de-centering process where the client alone or with the therapist will step out of literal reality and into an imaginal space. This happens through either a play oriented approach to art making or a work oriented one. I believe that play and creation are fundamental human needs as are love and laughter. Play is also the foundation for poeisis or creation of art. Sometimes simply playing in relationship with the therapist can facilitate healing and shed light in a dark area for a client. The therapy time for some could be as simple as it being the client’s time to relieve stress in a non- judgemental environment while they paint or dance or sing. It can also move through more intense difficulties such as resourcing, processing and healing from trauma or abuse.
When working with our imaginations and the arts an image will likely emerge in some way and when the image is followed with curiosity and without interpretation or judgement, then there is much possibility for learning about ourselves. The arrived image is a phenomenological being of its own that has come through us. The image can collect our traits, but is not a self -portrait. Our arriving images need the assistance of humans to come into visible form. A therapist can aid in expanding the client’s range of play and this can open up even more possibilities for the client to get to know themselves more deeply and realize more possibility.
Sometimes, there will be transition from one art modality to another such as painting to poetry. This can sometimes, crystallize
our presenting image and can offer a clearer understanding of the image or idea that has emerged and ourselves or our difficulties. It’s important for the expressive arts therapist to meet a client where they are in their journey. It could be that a client is not ready or willing to paint, draw or make any art at all or maybe someone is only comfortable with using one art form. Sometimes the image will dictate which art form is used and maybe doesn’t want to be expressed in poetry but only dance.
I believe a successful session or space with a client or in my own therapy sessions is one where any movement happens. This could be even the slightest move towards an image formation or a full and flourishing image arrival exploding with a profound message.
It’s in the movement that restricted areas begin to loosen and there is potential to open up to new possibilities.
My experience in session with clients and with my own art-making time has been that my images have always directed me towards what my soul wants and needs. My images have seemed to align with my soul and act like a compass pointing to where I should go to next. I feel that my images put me in touch with my inner knowledge of the past, present and future. I am amazed and delighted every single time an image surfaces and encourages me toward my next step. I have had many experiences of becoming un-stuck in my thoughts, feelings and life in general and I can trace the freeing to art making. As a youth stilt-walker I was lucky enough to regularly transform using the arts and be guided by the images that arose. I believe that is one main thing that kept me away from harm and confusion. I have such a profound love and respect for the arts and creating. I see my own experience as evidence that expressive arts therapy can transform a life and create new pathways.
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