Wednesday, April 23, 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.

If one would watch some crime scene investigation movies, there would be times wherein the investigator would talk to children to get them to talk about crimes that they witnessed. There would be times that they would make use of puppets and also let the kids use these puppets. This is one of the most effective ways to get bottled up children to talk as it would give them an alter ego.

In order to make one, the therapist would usually provide the participants with some materials like fabric, coloring materials, or paper bags. Now the way the puppet is made will all depend on how the participant would want to customize it. It can be a very simple creation or it can be a very beautiful one depending on the artistic capabilities of the participant.

Another one which is not as commonly used as the first one would be the paper bag art therapy. Now this one is usually used when the participant has identity issues or if he does not know what exactly to do with his life. This activity will help him be able to assess himself and how he would want to approach life as his very own person without considering outside factors.

Now to do this, the therapist must first give a paper bag to the participant and let him draw a self portrait there. Then on the back of bag, the participant will then make a eulogy wherein he will list down all his greatest fears. When he is done with that, he will be putting in some items that would symbolize what he is as a person and what kind of person he wants to be.

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 if one would want to go into this field of therapy, here are some of the things he must take note of. Now these are some of the most common therapy forms that he will be using. Of course there are more but these are by far some of the most effective.




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