Expressive Arts Therapy is being offered more and more in trauma and grief recovery work .
Whilst the name suggests it’s all about painting or drawing , expressive arts therapy encompasses many other forms of “ art” such as movement and dance , music and rhythms, picture making and drama work as well as play !
All of these have the ability to tap into the mind, body and spirit to facilitate health and well-being.
Civilizations from the beginning of time have used all arts therapies to express their feelings and to communicate . Think about our own indigenous Australians and their dance , their paintings , carvings and music .
They all play a big part in Aboriginal culture and story telling . We know that expressive art therapy is an alternate way for clients, who have no words with which to convey their feelings and emotions , to tell their story .
My clients generally find expressive methods of working through trauma as empowering as they learn various ways to support their self regulation . By using their imagination , creativity and even play they begin to normalize their body’s reaction to trauma as adaptive rather than maladaptive . It provides ways to imagine new narratives post trauma and it supports the clients strengths and enhances their resilience.
Give me a call or message if you think this might be for you !