EXPRESSIVE ARTS
"The expressive arts emphasize an interdisciplinary or inter-modal approach to creative endeavor. The field is grounded not in specific techniques or media but in how the arts can respond to the multitude of human experience from life challenging situations to self-realization.
Expressive arts professionals, such as therapists, consultants/educators, and artists work with symbols, text, movement, sound, and other various media grounded in the body and imagination.
Expressive arts practitioners are sensitive to individuals' needs during the creative process and are committed to fostering a compassionate environment for listening, speaking and witnessing."
-The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association
The expressive arts utilize all of the creative arts modalities as a vehicle for healing, transformation, and change The expressive arts welcome all ages, abilities and levels of creative experience. First time creative explorers are welcome!
The expressive arts include but are not limited to: painting, drawing, writing, poetry, movement, dance, music, drama and sand play and are engaged with the intention of journeying into a deeper place within oneself or the collective.
Non-verbal creative self-expression is a powerful channel to the life force within each of us. It can be a great alternative or supplement to traditional talk therapy as it functions as a direct conduit to our intuition and inner guidance.
Life is full of energy and emotions that need to be EXPRESSED. When this energy is suppressed or repressed, we become DEPRESSED-feeling stagnant, lost or stuck in addictions and unhealthy patterns. The expressive arts are a healthy way to experience, feel and release emotions and fear that keeps us from living life to the fullest.
Sometimes the expressive arts are used independently and they can be a powerful offering of deep insight when used together. For example, after creating a painting one might write a story or poem based the experience of the painting and then there might be a movement that wants to expressive itself from the painting.
Besides generating a sense of joyful experience, the expressive arts can provide a deeper way of knowing. They allow us to get out of our minds and more connected to our bodies, intuition, and personal truth.
Come experience for yourself! Try an expressive painting class or workshop or schedule an individual session.
Do you facilitate Expressive Arts Groups in the Community?
Yes. Please contact me to set up a consultation. Together we can design an expressive arts experience for your group. I have worked with adolescents, children, adults and elders in several populations and therapeutic environments. Depending on the needs and abilities of your group, we can design a group experience that will best serve your goals.
How can Expressive Arts Consulting help my Organization?
The expressive arts can be an inspiring and fun experience for an organizational group as a medium for team building, nurturing change, resolving conflict and in stimulating strategic thinking, innovation and creativity around a certain project or goal.
Engaging in the expressive arts and incorporating coaching models for clarity and clear communication can save time, money and energy on a project and support your organization in creating processes that will support your growing success.
