Expressive Arts Therapy Essay - 1875 Words

Before we can understand what expressive art therapy is, however, an understanding of terms, like imagination and creativity, is necessary. There is a lack of consensus about how imagination and creativity are defined and who is capable of it. In therapeutic contexts, the essence of imagination is the substance of dreams. Dreams, however, are not just images. In dreams, sounds, rhythms, acts, etc. can be perceived in a sensory or experiential way (Levine Levine, 2004). Creativity springs from imagination and is understood in terms of its qualities and characteristics: spontaneity, playfulness, motivation, originality, self-expression, inventiveness, divergent thinking, and intuition. Creativity pushes limits, breaks down barriers, and†¦show more content†¦Western traditions narrowly define art as a market-oriented specialized discipline (Levine Levine, 2004). When art is used therapeutically, content and meaning take priority over mechanics and technicalities. Creativity and creative process figure prominently in the theories of both Freud and Jung. Freud considers the source and motivation for creativity while Jung focuses on creative process. According to Freud, creativity is rooted in conflicts. The creative process is a response to the need to resolve conflicts. Freud includes daydreams and fantasies in the realm of creative works. They are inner desires, frustrations, or discontent transformed into art, literature, or music. Jung also believes human consciousness provides the content for art, literature and music. He identifies two types of creative processes: psychological and visionary. The psychological mode originates out of the collective unconscious and archetypes. Visionary creative processes are transcendental and universal in both meaning and response. This visionary mode is limited to the gifted few being capable of its expression (Malchiodi, 2007). Almost every theoretical orientation has adapted the use and techniques of expressive arts therapy in some way. Humanistic psychology, for example, emphasizes the importance of play, creativity, and spontaneity. The creative process is intrinsic to self-actualization. Self-actualization makes life more meaningful and enhances abilities,Show MoreRelatedExpressive Arts Therapy Essay1176 Words   |  5 PagesExpressive arts therapy is the use of art modalities, creative process, and aesthetic experience in a therapeutic context. It is a therapy of the imagination (McNiff, 1992). Effective communication is an essential element in therapeutic relationships and, although verbal language is the most conventional means of conveying information, other forms can convey just as much as words. The arts are an alternative form of communication that has recently received recognition for their value in therapeuticRead MoreExpressive Arts Therapy Essay2206 Words   |  9 PagesThe guidelines for practice of expressive arts therapy is informed by six principles: physical environment, emotional safety, non-interpretative approaches, role in assessment or diagnosis, media choices, and empathetic listening. Suitable physical environments are caring and safe places. Physical spaces are ones of privacy and comfort. Emotional safety is found in the rapport established between the therapist and client as well as ensuring that creative products will be treated confidentially.Read MoreExistential and Expressive Arts Therapy Essay1762 Words   |  8 PagesExistential and Expressive Arts Therapy Sarà © Gebhardt GEXTH 5102.01 Karen Estrella November 30, 2008 Sometime in the late eighties, Shaun McNiff, Sr. Kathleen Burke and I sat in a small pub in Cleveland, Ohio. It was after midnight when conversation turned to my writing project, this book. Sr. Kathleen asked, â€Å"What’s the title going to be?† â€Å"Well,† I replied, â€Å"the working title is Existential Art Therapy.† Shaun sighed. â€Å"Bruce, don’t be redundant. All art is existential.† †¦I haveRead MoreThe Worlds Self Conscious And The Healing Process1619 Words   |  7 PagesHistorical Relevance. â€Å"Our century s self-conscious interest in culture and society has produced valuable attempts to retell the Western past with the aid of such organizing principles as technological change, art collecting† (Barzun, 1990, p. xiii) Considering modern globalization trends, technology and data flow, the comparative historical approach has â€Å"identified general features of the modern capitalist economy† (Bentz Shapiro, 1998, p.134) as more relevant. Trends from Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)Read MoreThe Person Centered Therapy Approach1487 Words   |  6 Pagesapproach of therapy as a reaction to the directive approach of psychoanalysis and behaviorism. This type of therapy would be catagorized under the humananistic perspective. The person-centered therapy emphasizes facilitative therapy conditions as a means to behavior change in individuals, groups, f amilies, schools and communities. There are facilitative conditions to this type of therapy, they include: congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathic understanding. Person-centered therapy goalRead MoreA Perspective On Person Centered Therapy2244 Words   |  9 Pagestechniques, this paper seeks to generate objective research that informs the reader on Person-Centered Therapy. This paper endeavors to educate the reader on the historical beginnings of this approach, drawing especially from the life and contributions of Carl Rogers. The author highlights the types of issues that the theory addresses best, discussing in detail some of the ways that Person-Centered Therapy has produced positive outcomes. While recognizing that no one approach is perfect, the author discussesRead MoreEssay On Improving Health And Wellness736 Words   |  3 Pagesgroup showed a drop in HIV viral loads, and an increase CD4+ lymphocyte counts. The CD4+ lymphocyte counts continuously increas ed over the six month period, while the control group’s CD4+ lymphocyte counts remained stable. Poetry is another form of expressive writing. Various authors describe poetry as a way for people to gain access to their innermost thoughts. Writing poetry can be healing because it allows writers the opportunity for self-expression not otherwise felt through everyday words. All typesRead More Emotional Release: Benefits of Art Therapy   Essay2772 Words   |  12 PagesTitle Emotional Release: Benefits of Art Therapy A 6-year-old girl sits next to her therapist, with signs of anxiety upon her face. Pieces of paper, pencil and some markers are placed in front of the girl. She is hesitant to speak out, but these colors do help release some of the tension in the air. She begins to draw and paint, in a matter of fifteen minutes she finishes with a sequence of fourteen pictures: â€Å"A little girl pig is attacked by a man who wax her with a big stickRead MoreArt Therapy As An Industry2159 Words   |  9 PagesArt Therapy Art therapy as an industry is surrounded by many questions. Questions that are led by a lack of conclusive evidence. Art Therapy has multiple techniques and options, though many are left undiscovered due to such controversy surrounding the industry. 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