April 27, 2014

How To Do Expressive Therapies Using Art Forms

By Essie Osborn


Contrary to what most people believe about art being only a form of entertainment, art can actually be used as a form of therapy hence the saying that states that art nourishes the soul. In fact, there are many therapists these days who make use of expressive therapies or therapies that would utilize art forms. For those who do not know about this type of therapy, these therapy ideas may give him an overview about it.

The puppet is probably one of the most common of all of these art forms as it is actually the most interactive of all of them. Now this is usually used if a child or if a teen is a closed person and does not want to communicate with anyone at all. Now the reason why the puppet works is because it gives participants an avenue to let out their emotions without them actually doing it themselves.

Of course in this type of session, the therapist would be providing the participant with a bunch of art materials that the participant can use. It is actually up to the participant on how he would want to customize his little puppet. Of course he can make it as beautiful as he wants or he can make it as simple as he would want.

Now there would sometimes be children or even teens that do not know anything about themselves. When this would happen, the therapist may resort to the paper bag therapy form in order to make them see themselves in a clearer light. Now this will actually help them find out more about their identity and will help them be able to find their own purpose in life.

The very first step here would be to get a paper bag and draw a self portrait on one side of the bag. The second step would be to draw a gravestone on the other side and write down all the fears that one would possess. The last step would be to put some items inside of the paper bag that would represent his own personality and his own characteristics.

Drama and theater art is extremely effective in order for participants to release all of their pent up frustrations on life. Now by taking the role and personality of a whole new character, they can go into a different world and see things in a different light. They will be seeing things in a perspective other than their own which makes them more empathetic.

Now if the therapist would want to evaluate how the mind of the participant works, then he may ask the participant to draw himself. By taking a look at the strokes and the style, the therapist would be able to know all about that person. He can tell what the person is like and how he acts.

Now for those who are interested in this field of therapy, here are some ideas that may fill in some questions. Now do take note that there are many more art forms that can be used. This would solely depend on the therapist.




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