Expressive Therapies

What are Expressive Therapies?

Expressive therapy, also known as expressive arts therapy or creative arts therapy, is the use of the creative arts as a form of therapy. Unlike traditional art expression, the process of creation is emphasized rather than the final product. Expressive therapy is predicated on the assumption that people can heal through use of imagination and the various forms of creative expression.

Some common types of expressive therapy include:

All expressive therapists share the belief that through creative expression and the tapping of the imagination, a person can examine the body, feelings, emotions and his or her thought process.

Art therapy: Art therapy is practiced in hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses and private practices. It involves the application of a variety of art modalities including drawing, painting, clay and sculpture. It is believed that these methods of art may help people deal with inner conflicts, such that they become more aware of the "inner self."

Dance therapy: This category of expressive therapy includes many types of dance. It aims to help people release pent up emotions and gain inner peace. It may be particularly useful in gaining a sense of peace with one's own body after being subject to some type of abuse.

Health Benefits

The following is an extract from the book
"Complementary and integrative medicine in cancer care and prevention"
by Marc S. Micozzi

Expressive Therapies rest on the belief that mind and body are interrelated (Rossi, 1986). The work of Candace Pert has shown that the processing of emotions often affects physical illnesses and the ability to heal. Neuropeptide receptors in the brain and throughout the body are associated with emotional processing. They help regulate immunocyte trafficking and bolster the immune system. Research on healthy humans, as wall as cancer and HIV-positive patients, has shown significant increases in immune function or positive health outcomes with emotional expression, such as that practiced in dancy therapy (Pert, 1997). These findings suggest that emotional expression generates balane in the neuropeptide receptor network, which contributes to a functional healing system.

Also, evidence that the expression of emotion is healthy was demonstrated by Pennebaker (1990), in his study of college students who kept a journal of their feelings and thoughts. Continuing the use of his experimental design, he collaborated with dance therapist Anne Krantz to explore the impact of dance therapy on health (Kranze & Pennebaker 1993)...

... Expressive therapy also addresses specific psychologic functions. The physical and emotional expression of expressive therapy eases stress and increases healthy body image and self-esteem.