Expressive Arts Therapy
                                                     by Donna Basich

Expressive Arts Therapy is a creative process of integration for healing involving imagery through drawing, painting, sculpting, movement, sound, music, storytelling, and Nature. Multi-arts are offered to integrate the body, mind, soul, and spirit for balance and harmony in one's life. This healing modality has the potential to access and express deep feelings, bringing awareness to life situations. Through these therapeutic art experiences, one's own feelings and acceptance of Self and others may be nurtured. When we are given the opportunity to experience these art forms in a safe environment, a pathway is provided for each of us to discover our true identity, releasing our full creative potential, which affects how we relate and function in the world.

Expressive arts provide an avenue to tap into emotions, to bring awareness and also provide nurturance. An example would be an aggressive child who chooses clay work and sculpting: the clay absorbs energy, and the clay itself brings healing. This is not a random choice made by the child. In other situations, the same would apply to the choice and use of color and paint.

How does art heal?

Scientific studies tell us that art heals by changing a person's physiology and attitude. It is now known by neurophysiologists that art, prayer, and healing all come from the same source in the body. They all are associated with similar brain wave patterns, mind body changes, and are deeply connected in feeling and meaning.

Art, prayer, and healing all take us into our inner world. The world of imagery and emotion, of visions and feelings. This journey inward, into the spirit and soul, is deeply healing, for healing comes from within. Our own healing resources are freed to allow our immune system to operate optimally, freeing our healing energies. This process affects every cell in the body instantly to create a healing physiology that changes the immune system and blood flow to all the organs, a person's autonomic nervous system, their hormonal balance, and their brain neurotransmitters.

Art can change one's attitude, emotional state, and pain perception. Art transforms a person's outlook and way of being in the world.

More information is available from the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association .