Expressive Art Therapy
CREATIVE CAPACITY AS A FOUNDATION FOR HEALING
What is expressive art therapy?
Expressive arts therapy offers an approach to working through trauma, and struggle by using the arts as a way of discovering meaning and nurturing creative capacity.
Of course, each individual is unique and depending on what one’s life experience has been, there will be varying degrees of difficulty.
Together we work to find accessible ways to engage in art, developing processes that can help one to move through heavy and overwhelming emotions. For this to be effective it is critical that the therapist and client first develop a strong relational foundation, so that we can move forward into creative engagement that allows one to be fully present in the moment.
who can benefit from this service?
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Families looking to reconnect to themselves and each other while using a versatile medium
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Individuals looking to address internal issues creatively
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People experiencing anxiety, depression, complex emotions, post traumatic stress response (otherwise known as PTSD)
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People who are working through major life transitions
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People who have experienced violence, hate,systemic racism, oppression, marginalization
How it works
Steps for building a meaningful therapeutic relationship
1. Develop a relational connection (the foundation of expressive arts).
2. Identify an overall goal of therapy.
3. Establish a timeline for services (note: this is something that can change throughout the therapeutic process).
4. Develop a therapy schedule.
5. Transition out of therapy services. Giving space for ending rituals to take place so the individual can have some closure around the work we have done together.
Architecture of an EXA session
1. filling in- a brief time dedicated to a verbal telling of where the individual is at
2. bridging-moving from a verbal place into a creative art making space
3. decentering -a short activity/ exercise done with the intention of connecting to the present, and getting more in touch with the body.
4. aesthetic analysis- a time where we use our senses to respond to the art. This could be myself offering feedback, or the client responding to their own work, or both.
5. harvesting- an opportunity to reflect on the session, and really crystalize what a message or “take away” might be for the individual/family.
6. closing- time for a closing ritual, or one last opportunity for the individual to share anything that might still be lingering for them.
Please Note
The architecture of the EXA session was developed by Paolo Knill. More information can be found in Principles and Practice of Expressive Arts Therapy, co-authored by Paolo Knill as well as Ellen and Steve Levine.
Supervision
As an expressive arts therapist and practitioner it is part of my duty to seek adequate supervision from a trusted and well experienced EXA therapist. At no time during my supervision would I reveal any personal information about the individual or family. I remain in supervision to ensure that I am providing the best possible care to the people I am serving.
Confidentiality and Record keeping
All client information and art work is stored in a secure space. Records are kept in accordance to OEATA Standards of practise re: records 4.0 https://oeata.ca/standards-of-practice/