Expressive Art Therapy Paper

The psychotherapy I will be covering is Expressive Art therapy. This is a form of therapy that uses the creative arts. Unlike art expression, the creation process of the art is emphasized not the final result. This method is used to help people cope with all types of emotional problems, including depression. (Grumman & Krucik, 2013) Expressive Art therapy is unique because it’s not strictly a verbal therapy, it also uses self-expression, active participation, imagination, and mind-body connections. (Malchiodi, 2005)
All therapies encourage individuals to engage in self-expression, but Expressive Art therapy not only uses that, but it also uses self-exploration. By using self-exploration clients who are having trouble accessing their feelings
This form of therapy has been used for many years since, it has become formally recognized and is frequently practiced. Expressive Art therapy has provided meaningful therapeutic experiences for all people of all ages. Being an ‘active therapy’ there is no right or wrong way to create something, this encourages the person seeking therapy to be free with self-expression. This form of art therapy is not necessarily used for diagnosis it’s mainly used to help people in gaining a better understanding of their personal issues, eventually reaching a desired outcome. Although, art therapy is not used for diagnosis, when interpreted by a therapist it can be used to asses an individuals need or progress. (University of New Hampshire,
This form of therapy takes two or more expressive art therapies to create awareness, encourage emotional growth, and enhance relationships with others. Intermodal therapy distinguishes itself from its closely related disciplines of art therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Poetry Therapy, Drama Therapy, Art Therapy, and Music Therapy, by being grounded in the connection of the arts. It is based on a variety of orientations, including arts as therapy, art psychotherapy, and the use of arts for traditional healing. (Malchiodi,