Expressive Art Therapy

Expressive art therapy uses the creative arts as a form of therapy. Similar to art or dance therapy, expressive art therapy uses the creative process of each individual to promote healing. The goal of expressive art therapy is to facilitate self-discovery, increased awareness, connection and understanding. The act of creating art helps to unlock the expression of inner feelings, and the creative process is the path toward better emotional health. Rather than focusing on the final product, the process of creation via nonverbal language is the emphasis. This type of therapy is often used with children, who may participate in music, movement, or finger painting while the therapist observes the activity and encourages the child to talk about the experience. Adult clients might journal, dance, or create videos in order to connect better with themselves and others. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s expressive art therapy specialists today.

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Meet the specialists

 

As an artist myself combined with my undergraduate concentration in the psychology of art and artists, I recognize art as being a powerful tool for positive mental health changes. I enjoy the process of exploring and discovering artistic voices and how to tell your story through expression.

— Michael Nolan, Therapist in New York, NY

While I work remotely I do a great deal of art therapy with clients who are interested. I send materials to clients homes, as well as do art therapy with material individuals have at home.

— Rachael Rosenberg, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Redwood City, CA
 

The goal of expressive arts is to bypass your more analytic brain, as well as your more default mode of being. Interventions may include using symbols to represent feelings or memories or drawing or writing with focus on the process, not the product, to elicit deeper understanding of the topic at hand. Sometimes by circumnavigating the more literal content what’s underneath is discovered.

— Jennifer Alt, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

While I work remotely I do a great deal of art therapy with clients who are interested. I send materials to clients homes, as well as do art therapy with material individuals have at home.

— Rachael Rosenberg, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Redwood City, CA
 

Over 20 years of practice developing and implementing expressive arts therapy programs and activities with children, adolescents, and adults. Systems aware and trauma-informed care that is scientifically proven to relieve feelings.

— Mary Beth Rabon, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Charlotte, NC

I am a musician and songwriter. I have coached vocalists and run SLAM poetry groups. I've used expressive therapy in classrooms, telehealth groups, and one on one sessions. I currently run a Saturday group for entertainers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs.

— Cassandra Holt Kimbell, Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas, TX
 

Getting to do Expressive Art Therapy is the reason I became a therapist. It started with my interest in expressive writing. I have a background in writing and have relied on storytelling and poetry to help me through hard times. Then I discovered Natalie Rogers' book, The Creative Connection: Expressive Arts as Healing, and my interest opened up to other art forms. In our work, I may invite you to express yourself through writing, drawing, or collage, but it is always just that--an invitation.

— Meredith Lynne Simonds, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

I was trained in Expressive Therapies, with a specialization in Visual Arts at Lesley University. When appropriate for the client, I use interventions in the visual arts, music, movement and writing/literature to help clients meet their goals.

— Linda Lufkin, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Plymouth, MA
 

Expressive arts therapy can help you get in touch with parts of yourself that aren't so easy to access in other ways, and it enables you to grow and heal without having to talk directly about issues. As a poet, storyteller, dancer, and guitarist, I can say that the arts are profoundly healing-even when you have no formal talent or training! Additionally, I completed graduate work in expressive and creative arts therapy and psychodrama.

— Rachel Shopper, Counselor in Asheville, NC

Think of me as your personal guide in finding your inner creative muse. We use the process of art makings and markings to explore and provide outlets for what gets trapped inside, smothered and stepped on. I want to help you tap into flexing, stretching, and growing these expressive muscles. You need no special skills to engage in this process, you have them already.

— Andrea Picard, Counselor in Chicago, IL
 

I am a certified expressive arts practitioner (CEAP) and I integrate this work both in person and in Telehealth settings in cases where it may be helpful for one to get out of their head to discover feelings that may be lingering. Expressive arts is used as an adjunct and is a multi-modal approach to healing. It may include; dance, drama, journaling, music, writing and more.

— Michelle North, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Encinitas, CA

Expressive arts therapy modalities include dance/movement/yoga, writing, poetry, music, sound, drama/enactment/role play, embodiment, art, dreamwork, metaphor and symbolism (often through nature or imagery), and more. My version of expressive arts therapy is inspired by nature, intuition, narrative, and curiosity. Why just talk?

— Becky Robbins, Creative Art Therapist in Kenmore, WA
 

Getting to do Expressive Art Therapy is the reason I became a therapist. It started with my interest in expressive writing. I have a background in writing and have relied on storytelling and poetry to help me through hard times. Then I discovered Natalie Rogers' book, The Creative Connection: Expressive Arts as Healing, and my interest opened up to other art forms.

— Meredith Lynne Simonds, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

I have studied expressive arts since I was a child and through out my counseling career I have focus on expressive art therapy to help others cultivate their mental health wellness.

— Carolina Castano, Licensed Professional Counselor in Cincinnati, OH
 

Getting to do Expressive Art Therapy is the reason I became a therapist. It started with my interest in expressive writing and opened up to other art forms--and the connection among them--as I came to understand it through Natalie Rogers' book, The Creative Connection: Expressive Arts as Healing.

— Meredith Lynne Simonds, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

Artistry not required! I use active imagination to explore images, symbols, and dreams. These share a common thread in containing messages from the unconscious. Psyche communicates to us in the world of symbols and images. I have specialized training in Dream Analysis, Painting Therapy, Spontaneous Drawing, and am currently enrolled in a 2-year Sandplay training working with symbolic image creation. Let’s decipher the messages from your unconscious to realize your higher Self!

— Rebecca Spear, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Claremont, CA
 

I was trained in expressive arts through my graduate program and enjoy using drawing, painting, sand tray, play therapy, and drama therapy to help support your growth. Let me know what your interests are and we\'ll find a way to incorporate it into your treatment plan!

— Sprout Therapy PDX, Licensed Professional Counselor in Portland, OR

Certified in Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Art Therapy Approach to Bilateral Body Mapping by Dr. Cornelia Elbrecht’s Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy (2019) Certified in Level 1 & 2 Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi’s Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute (2018-19)

— Aly Dearborn, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA
 

Certified in Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Art Therapy Approach to Bilateral Body Mapping by Dr. Cornelia Elbrecht’s Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy (2019) Certified in Level 1 & 2 Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi’s Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute (2018-19)

— Aly Dearborn, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA