Expressive therapy, also known as 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.

Types

Some common types of expressive therapy include:

• Art Therapy
• Dance Therapy
• Drama Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Writing Therapy

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.

Although often separated by the form of creative art, some expressive therapists consider themselves intermodal, using expression in general, rather than a specific discipline to treat clients, altering their approach based on the clients' needs, or through using multiple forms of expression with the same client to aid with deeper exploration.

See also

• Bibliotherapy
• Clinical psychology
• Psychotherapy

References