mardi 22 avril 2014

Art Forms That Can Be Used As 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.

Now one of the most common art forms that a lot of therapists would ask participants to do would be none other than the puppet. Now this method is often used on children or even teenagers if they would have a hard time opening up. The puppet gives them an alter ego in which they can communicate their thoughts with if they do not usually open up to people.

Of course in this type of session, the therapist would be providing the participant with a bunch of art materials that the participant can use. It is actually up to the participant on how he would want to customize his little puppet. Of course he can make it as beautiful as he wants or he can make it as simple as he would want.

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.

In order to do this, one must first get a paper and draw a self portrait at the front of the paper bag. At the back of the paper bag, he should then draw a tombstone or a grave with his fears written on it. Lastly, he should put some items that represent his personality inside the bag like maybe a shirt or a phone depending on what he would want to put inside.

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.

So as one can see, there are so many ways that art can be used therapeutically. These are not the only art forms that can be used when therapists perform expressive art therapies. These are only a few ideas that most utilize as they are some of the most effective.




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