If you are dealing with a mental health condition like stress, depression, anxiety, or recovering from trauma, it could be hard for you to tell about how you feel.
Expressive therapy through art, drama, music, or dance could be a healing outlet.
It can be challenging for someone dealing with mental health concerns to understand or articulate their feelings. With expressive arts therapy, individuals can communicate their feelings in a therapeutic setting and gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
Expressive art therapy can be a helpful tool for certain people who find it difficult to describe what they are experiencing. Many artistic mediums are incorporated into expressive arts therapy, which can assist patients in gaining emotional access.
Expressive Art Therapy Practices
The various creative processes are the main focus of this kind of treatment. Hence, to design a treatment that best meets the needs of the patient – expressive arts therapists may incorporate a wide range of approaches. These techniques may consist of:
- Making memory albums, collages, or sculptures
- Dancing or other types of movement
- Improvisation or drama
- Writing in a journal, reading aloud, or creating songs, poetry, or stories
- Playing musical instruments
- Drawing, painting, or sketching
Experts in expressive arts therapy combine several forms of therapy treatments into their client sessions in addition to utilize the therapeutic benefits of self-expression via art. They may incorporate methods from mindfulness-based practices, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic therapy.
How does Expressive Art Therapy Work?
In expressive art therapy, a person in treatment has more options for finding purpose, understanding, and recovery. It goes beyond and enriches conventional talk therapy by recognizing that every person’s journey is unique.
A trained therapist arranges a meeting with the person to observe his behavior with the help of creating art as part of an expressive therapy session. Usually, a variety of activities are included, but sometimes therapists concentrate on just one. For someone who is new to therapy, journaling or writing can be a better option. A person can try talk therapy in addition to expressive art therapy while some people may find that journaling, movement, art, or a variety of other experiences work better for them during treatment.
Example of a patient enjoying expressive art therapy:
Here we have discussed an expressive art therapy session of a patient Tara (a 35-year-old woman) struggling with anxiety and depression. She was guided by her therapist to draw her feelings in a form of art. She expressed her anxiety by using jagged lines and dark swirls finding relief in externalizing her emotions. Through reflective discussion, she explained her sketch, by adding lines of calming blue waves to symbolize peace and hope.
Tara received emotional processing assistance from her therapist, who emphasized the value of the creative process over the final artwork. This therapy session enabled her to gain insight into her anxiety and help her manage her emotional behavior, leaving her feeling lighter and more hopeful.
Health Benefits of Expressive Art Therapy
Expressive art therapy for mental health is considered an incredibly beneficial treatment option. Many art activities are used by a wide range of people.
According to a review, there are many different circumstances in which expressive arts therapy has been applied. It has been implemented with individuals who are homeless, immigrants, cancer patients, patients receiving dementia care, and patients receiving hospice care, and also in community centers.
Expressive art therapy has the power to:
Reduce Traumatic Stress and Anxiety
The therapy of creating art can help patients to reduce their stress levels and anxiety. People who have gone through trauma might not be able to discuss it physically. Using words can be overwhelming, trigger flashbacks to traumatic events, or generate intense feelings of guilt or shame, especially in kids. Expressive arts-based activities can help people “speak” about experiences and emotions that are practically indescribable.
Studies have shown that people who take at least 45 minutes daily to create art or other practices are more likely to have reduced cortisol levels compared to those who do not give time for any expressive activity.
Improve Self-awareness and self-esteem
One of the most important benefits of expressive art therapy is its ability to elevate self-worth and self-awareness. You are able to express your emotions through art by using a range of mediums and techniques.
When you can overcome the obstacles in art and create a finished work, you will naturally feel proud of yourself. As you think back on the work, you can also gain a deeper knowledge of your emotions.
Help in healing
Expressive art therapy enables you to creatively examine your feelings and experiences, it may be helpful in reducing pain. If you are dealing with trauma or chronic suffering, making art helps you to cope with its effects.
Later, you could look back on your work and have a deeper understanding of what you are going through. You could become absorbed or disoriented from your suffering by concentrating on your craft.
Expressive Art Therapy can also be helpful for various mental health conditions:
- It helps to lessen the symptoms of psychological conditions like schizophrenia
- It offers a safe space to explore and express emotions that could be difficult to talk about
- Helps people to express their inner thoughts, feelings, and anxieties and understand who they are; it is especially beneficial for those who are too traumatized to speak about difficult topics.
- Enhances social and interpersonal abilities, particularly in family or group therapy settings
- It helps to overcome emotions of guilt, anxiety, humiliation, or resistance by enabling unrestricted expression using nonverbal techniques
- It has a positive effect on the ability to control emotions Rather than “acting out”
- Increase brain function and psychological resilience
- Generates positive, creative energy as a healing force for the body, soul, and mind.
Conclusion
If you are thinking about trying expressive arts therapy, it is not necessary for you to have an experience in the activity you are doing. Also, you don’t have to be good at art. This expressive art therapy is not about what you are creating; it is the process of creating that matters. This treatment will help you overcome your anxiety and you will feel happy after attending their sessions.
