EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY
Expressive Arts Therapy (EXA) is an experiential therapy that works within the realm of imagination and metaphor to foster personal healing and transformation. EXA helps people process experiences, understand emotions, and improve well-being through engaging in their own unique creative process.
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that
I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.”​
Georgia O’Keefe
EXA holds the premise that we all possess the ability to create and that the creative process is innately healing.
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Expressive arts therapy (EXA) is based in the idea that imagery and metaphor provide a direct link to our inner thoughts and emotions. It offers a language for expressing and processing our inner experiences and is especially well suited to people who lack the ability to articulate their inner world with words alone.
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EXA draws from any and all types of creative modalities including:
painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, collaging, journaling, poetry, music, media arts, drama and roleplay, dance and movement, and sand play. By drawing on different creative modalities and integrating them in ways that are beneficial to each individual’s needs, this approach to treatment can create unique experiences that allow people to better understand their emotions, thoughts, memories, and experiences.
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Use of the expressive arts expands the ways in which a person in therapy may seek meaning, clarity, and healing. It transcends traditional talk therapy by acknowledging that each person’s process is unique. While one individual may like talk therapy, another person may prefer to use journaling, movement, art, or a combination of different experiences during therapy.​
​EXA Therapy Process
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EXA holds the premise that creative expression is fostered within a safe, supportive environment. The accessibility of expressive arts therapy is due to the focus being not on artistic outcomes but rather on the process of creating utilizing the imagination. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a background or training in the arts to benefit from expressive arts therapy.​ Rather, it is through the use of the individual’s senses that the imagination can support insight and healing.
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Expressive Arts Therapy works by:
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Engaging multiple senses and emotions
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Creating physical representations of internal experiences
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Increasing self-awareness through exploring different forms of creativity
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Accessing emotions that may be difficult to verbalize
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Creating safe spaces for trauma processing
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Building new neural pathways through artistic engagement
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Developing healthy coping mechanisms
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Strengthening self-expression skills
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Poiesis
At the core of expressive arts therapy is the concept of poiesis, the Greek root word for poetry. Poiesisis is defined as "the act of bringing something new into the world" and refers to the natural process of moving into the world of imagination, which results in creativity and art-making.
Our creativity comes from a deep and personal place within us, hence, creative endeavors enables us to undergo a profound process of self-discovery. Creativity is a pathway to the expression of inner feelings, which are brought out into the world to be experienced and witnessed. Each creative act or piece is seen as the act of brining something unique into the world which is healing for all.
​EXA believes that humans have an intrinsic impulse to create, an innate desire for poiesis. By helping clients meet this need, EXA provides a space to express and explore their experiences and emotions, and to be witnessed, ultimately leading to a better understanding of the self and an improved quality of life.
Key Concepts of EXA
Expressive Arts Therapy utilizes the creative process as a therapeutic tool to promote self-awareness, emotional expression, and personal growth by engaging these four core areas.
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Expression
EXA provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to express themselves through various art forms. This allows for the expression of emotions, thoughts, and experiences that might be difficult to articulate verbally.
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Imagination
Utilizing creative processes like active imagination, individuals can tap into their unconscious mind and explore symbolic representations of their inner world. This can help in understanding and processing emotions, resolving internal conflicts, and fostering self-discovery.
Active Participation
Individuals are encouraged to take an active role in choosing and participating in the art forms they find most meaningful. This sense of agency and control can be empowering and contribute to healing.
Mind-Body Connection
EXA recognizes the interconnectedness of the mind and body. Engaging in creative activities can help individuals become more aware of their physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts, fostering a deeper understanding of their inner experiences and promoting emotional regulation.
Benefits of EXA
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Research suggests that the use of the expressive arts for therapeutic purposes offers several benefits, which include developing strengths and skills, personal growth, symptom reduction, improved communication, and increased self-understanding.
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Emotion Regulation
Engaging in expressive arts allows individuals to externalize their internal struggles
and emotions. Creating art or participating in creative activities can help regulate
and manage overwhelming feelings, providing a healthy outlet for emotional release.
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Self-Expression
Many people find it challenging to express their thoughts and emotions verbally. Expressive arts offer a non-verbal avenue for communication, allowing individuals
to convey their inner world through their chosen medium.
Stress Reduction
The act of creating art can be deeply meditative and calming. It can redirect focus
away from stressors and promote relaxation, leading to reduced anxiety levels and
an improved sense of well-being.
Self-Awareness
Through the process of artistic expression, individuals often gain insight into their feelings, beliefs, and inner conflicts. This self-awareness can be a crucial step in personal growth and mental health recovery.
Building Resilience
Resilience is what helps us move forward from difficulties we encounter. Engaging
in creative activities can boost self-esteem and confidence, helping individuals
develop a sense of accomplishment and resilience in the face of adversity.
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Trauma Healing
Expressive Arts is especially impactful within trauma work, as trauma is typically
stored in our brain as images and within our physical bodies, and it is often difficult
to access trauma fully using verbal psychotherapy alone.
