Healing Through Expressive Therapy: Types, Benefits & How it Works

When you think of expressing, what is the first medium that comes to your mind? Words, is it? Yet, is it all there is? Sometimes, we find it very difficult to put our feelings into words. It is particularly the case with mental health challenges, where one finds it very difficult to interpret their experiences and feelings effectively.

This is where expressive therapy comes in. It also goes by the names of art therapy, expressive arts therapy, creative arts therapy, and experiential therapy. Too many names, yes, but the crux of this therapy is to use creative activities as a medium to express and process your feelings and memories that cannot otherwise be put into words. In this blog, we will explore how expressive therapy can enable you to heal with the power of creative expression.

Expressive therapy began half a century ago, in the 1940s. Psychologists learned from their clients’ drawings and paintings that they told a story, something deeper than they were able to uncover with traditional talk therapy.

The idea is to focus on creative activities to design a care plan considering your unique needs, challenges, strengths, and goals. You do not have to be an artist or exceptionally good at a creative activity to experience the benefits of this therapy. Moreover, expressive therapy can easily be integrated with psychoanalytic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy to allow you to heal and lead a fulfilling life.

Expressive therapy can be used to treat a broad spectrum of physical and mental health conditions, such as the following:

• Anxiety disorders
• Major depressive disorder (depression)
• Bipolar disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder/PTSD
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Eating disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Brain injuries
• Chronic illness
• Stress
• Relationship conflicts
• Low self-esteem.

Expressive therapy offers different benefits and can be tailored to fit your needs and goals. With a mix of creative activities for you to get into, it allows for a deeper exploration of your thinking, emotional, and behavioral patterns. Creative activities are also an outlet for you to explore your interests, overcome challenges, and lead a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Expressive therapy is an evidence-based practice, and studies have indicated it improves cognitive functioning and mood while also relieving stress and tension. It can be used to treat a diverse range of behavioral health conditions. You also get to let your creative juices flow while achieving healing and harmony in your life.

Expressive therapy is a multimodal therapy, and it combines different creative activities for your personal growth and development. There are four basic types of expressive therapies:

• Art Therapy - It focuses on visual arts, like drawing, painting, sketching, and sculpting to process emotions and memories.
• Music Therapy - It uses music to ease anxiety and balance mood. You can either listen to or create music to heal with this therapy.
• Dance Therapy - In dance therapy, you use dance and body movement to address mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and even stress.
• Writing Therapy - You use writing as a way to explore your thinking and emotional patterns. Typically, journaling, poetry, and storytelling are the techniques used in writing therapy.

As a multimodal therapy, expressive therapy does not solely focus on one single creative activity. Different creative activities can be combined to be personalized to create more than one creative outlet, and the good thing is you can use more than one creative outlet in a single therapeutic session.

Substance use disorders and trauma can be intricately connected. While it is not exactly clear that one leads to another, both can trap a person into a vicious cycle from which it seems like there is no escape.

Expressive therapy can be used with behavioral therapy to identify and overcome self-destructive and self-defeating patterns that can exacerbate trauma and substance abuse. By using art forms like drawing, painting, sculpting, writing, dance, or drama to explore and express your emotions, release pent-up tension, and heal from substance abuse and trauma.

Do you believe in the power of creative expression to heal? Then, expressive therapy can be something for you to consider. If you want to begin with expressive therapy, then finding a licensed and trained expressive therapist is half the task done. But this can be challenging, especially if it is your first time.

So, at the NuView Treatment Center, we understand your background, challenges, needs, strengths, and goals to connect you with an expressive therapist who is best aligned with your journey.

Q1. Who Can Benefit from Expressive Therapy?

A: Expressive therapy can be beneficial for those struggling with developmental disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.

Q2. What are the Tools and Techniques Used in Expressive Therapy?

A: Drawing, painting, sketching, sculpting, music, journaling, poetry, storywriting, dance, and body movements are some tools and techniques used in expressive therapy.