Sunday, April 27, 2014

Some Ideas For Expressive Therapies

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 if one would make a puppet, then he would need some materials that would help him make his ideal puppet. In a therapy session, the therapist would be the one that would provide all of the items that the participants would be needing. Now depending on the artistic skills of the participant, the puppet can be a very simple one or an extravagant one.

Now there are also those participants who are in general confused about their life and their own identity. For these people, the therapists would usually recommend the paper bag art type of therapy be used on them. This type of activity would help a person know more about himself and will also help him be able to go through his own life the way he would want to without thinking of others.

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.

Now drama or theater art is another very good way for one to be able to express himself. By assuming the role of another character, one will be able to escape into a different world that is unlike this one. This is an avenue wherein one would know how to step into the shoes of others and also experience what others may be experiencing.

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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