An Integrative Approach to Children's Wellness: Expressive Arts Therapy

What Is Expressive Art Therapy?

Before there was language, we commemorated great moments of history through art and symbols.  The rise and fall of civilizations were marked in cave dwellings.  We danced and drummed in celebration of births, weddings and funeral ceremonies.  Today, we continue to seek the arts when faced with tragedy and words fail.    Expressive Arts Therapies taps into uses this wisdom through different modalities, including visual arts, guided imagery, music, poetry, movement, dance, drama, writing, to facilitate the healing process.   You don’t have to be an Artist!  It is through creating art in any modality, that we have the opportunity to transform and find healing. 

Paola Knill is known as the founding pioneer of Expressive Arts Therapies, during the early 1970’s.  And while it’s natural to assume it is only “for children”, we adults benefit from this process as well.  The first official documented use of Art Therapy was used to help soldiers suffering from “shellshock”, or PTSD, after WWII.    What was previously deemed a task for children was quietly providing relief for those suffering from the psychological traumas of war.   The arts were providing a diversion in thought,  a non-threatening outlet to express the feelings and process trauma, to find a place of beginning to create meaning and healing of the atrocities of war. 

Let’s be clear… Kids benefit greatly from Expressive Arts Therapy!  With “adult-sized” feelings, and limited vocabulary to talk about them, the arts are a perfect channel of expression  to understanding themselves and the world.    What does a session look like?  There are times when the session is directed with a specific goal of unlocking the problem/issue at hand.  Other times, the session is client-centered and the art process provides space for what arises.  Specifically, the arts can use the child’s creativity and give the therapist insight into how they perceive the problem to better guide them through the healing process.  For example, a child who is experiencing fear and night terrors after having  witnessed a traumatic event might be asked to re-create the fear as a character or monster and develop its story.  Where does it live?  What is it scared of?  What does it need to feel safe?   In answering those questions, we have a good idea of how the child is feeling and seeing the situation which then directs the session.  Suddenly the Monster is not as scary, the child has control to create a new story, identifying new coping skills.    

Kids are tremendous human beings.  With huge souls in little bodies, they need extra care and guidance learning to navigate this world.  Make art with your child and watch what happens!  Connection, attachment, self-esteem, safety, the rewards are priceless.   Create this bond in non-crisis times, and you will help to build trust for the challenging ones.  The arts naturally facilitate this process in the office and at home.  Spend time making art today.  You It’s not about the masterpiece.   Draw with your left hand… Eyes closed…Singing the theme to Bob the Builder…IN FRENCH!  

Christy Van Horn, LCPC

(301) 712-9015, Ext 1034
Healingarts432@yahoo.com