Expressive Arts: A Wholistic Approach:

Expressive Arts facilitates healing and growth and can be the sole intervention or offered as a complimentary and synergistic intervention along with more traditional methods.   Expressive Arts is the use of any creative modality; visual, written, spoken, and movement for the access, release and transformation of stress, conflicts, pain (emotional and physical) and other problems and challenges that individuals face.   Additionally, Expressive Art offers a whole mind/body approach to aid in healing stress and illness.   While it is therapeutic, it is not necessarily therapy unless it is used within a therapy context.   Expressive arts can be offered to individuals and groups.   It is a cost effective and less time consuming alternative to traditional individual and group therapy.   By using images and direct emotional experience the individual is helped to connect with their inner experience, both positive and negative, as well as tap into often unknown and unexplored resources and strengths.   In the process they can connect with a deeper and more authentic self.    By connecting with these inner aspects, the individual is more open to seeing options, alternatives, and creating possibilities for more adaptive coping and healing.   Additionally, the individual has an opportunity for re-evaluating their conceived identity and sense of self and how well it reflects their deeper, true self.   Once the individual has connected and opened to these experiences, Expressive Arts works toward helping them realize, actualize and integrate this newfound self-knowledge into their daily life.   Finally, the entire process seeks to empower the individual with skills, techniques, and processes for continued self-discovery, growth and healing.