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Monday, April 21, 2014

Art Forms That Can Be Used As Expressive Therapies

By Essie Osborn


Most people see art as only a source of entertainment and something that pleases the senses but what most people do not know is that it can be used as a type of therapy as well. Expressive therapies would utilize different art forms in order to bring out the a certain part of the mind that a person may be suppressing. There are a lot of therapists who would make use of this especially on teenagers and children.

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 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.

Of course there is the self portrait wherein the therapist would ask the participant to simply draw himself. This is actually used as an assessment of the characteristics of the person. The therapist will be able to see here what is inside the mind of the person.

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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