What is Expressive Arts Therapy?
Expressive Arts Therapy is an eclectic therapy practice that uses talk therapy and the arts (visual art, sculpture, movement, theatre, creative writing, voice, music and drama) as tools to explore how we hold our emotions and stories. It is experiential (doing arts together) and phenomenological (seeing what happens). No experience with any art form is needed to engage in Expressive Arts Therapy.
Mindfulness practices are often integrated into the practice through visualization, movement, or the art making itself. No artistic experience is required, and there is no goal of creating something “beautiful”. The art making is used as a way of accessing and exploring feelings, patterns or stories that may be difficult to put into words. Art making stimulates the imagination, which can surprise us by offering new perspectives on old wounds. Making art, sharing art, and sharing feelings and experiences all happen during an expressive arts therapy session.
In this therapeutic tradition, the therapist (also called the “companion”) is an active participant with the client (also called the “expert”). The therapist may respond to issues raised by the client by suggesting a type of art making, by asking questions, or may join the client in art making. The approach is client-centred and based on the client’s experience of their lives.
Talking about feelings, thoughts and experiences happens throughout a session. Some sessions may be only talking, and some may include more art making. Each session is different and responds to where you are at on that day, in that moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there risks to Expressive Arts Therapy (ExAT)?
Therapy can be an intense personal process and poses potential emotional risks. It can often bring forth unpleasant memories and emotions and can be a painful experience. It has the potential to change your beliefs or behaviours and may impact how you feel or act in your relationships. Most people receive many benefits from therapy, such as developing coping skills, improving quality of life, learning to manage mental and emotional challenges, and processing pain and trauma. It is important to carefully consider the benefits and risks of therapy before beginning sessions.
I'm not an artist/musician/writer/dancer, can I still do ExAT?
Yes! You don't need to know any art forms to engage in ExAT. Expressive Arts Therapy is not about critically analyzing the art work, but about the art making process and how it makes you feel.
How is this different from art/music/drama therapy?
ExAT is intermodal, which means we use all art forms in the therapy process. We don't focus on a particular art form, and instead, use whatever material that is available, and whatever the client is comfortable with. We often change between modalities as there are often surprises that happen when we shift from one art form to another. This approach often deepens our therapeutic process, and helps us engage with transformative feelings and experiences.
Who can receive ExAT? Is Expressive Arts Therapy right for me?
Anyone can receive ExAT. Sessions are usually tailored to meet the needs of a client, from children to seniors. However, it is up to the client to decide whether ExAT is right for them.
Can you analyze my image and tell me what I'm feeling?
No. A core idea of ExAT is that the client is the expert on their life experiences and feelings. As therapists, we are here to guide you, to accompany you and sit with you and your image, helping you experience the surprises and feelings.
I'm concerned about privacy. Will anything said in sessions be shared with others?
Whenever we begin any individual session or group, we have a confidentiality agreement that outlines how we maintain privacy and the specific circumstances (required by law if someone’s safety is at risk) that privacy may be breached. No information about the sessions will be shared outside of those circumstances. Within each therapy group, a group agreement will be made and expectations for confidentiality will be outlined. As a new therapist, I am required to have a supervisor who is a registered psychotherapist and a certified supervisor. I receive mentoring and support from my supervisor and they are bound by the same rules of confidentiality.
What do I do if I have conflict and concerns about my therapist?
There may be times when you will be in conflict comes up during therapy sessions. It is my hope that you will come to me if I have done anything to make you uncomfortable or concerned. However, you can also contact my supervisor, who is a Registered Psychotherapist in the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO) if there are any concerns. My supervisor and I follow the ethical responsibilities and legal obligations set out by the CRPO and the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (OEATA). (Details to be found in the website below)
