Expressive Arts Therapy is a new field that is quickly gaining National and International recognition for it’s effectiveness in working with a variety of population dealing with a multitude of issues.   As a therapist trained in Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy, I have extensive experience working with various populations.  I have come to discover through my work, that I favor working with children and adolescents using Expressive Arts as my therapeutic modality.

By: Yvette Lyons, Ph.D., Director of the Expressive Arts Therapy Dept. at the San Diego University for Integrative Studies

Aug. 19, 2014

 

There are many terms out there labeling the process of intuitive art.  But, no matter which label you give this process, the main ingredient is the same ~~ Self Trust!

Yes, I know, you thought I was going to talk about some new art-making method.  The process is the same across the board for all, trained and novel artists alike.

By Yvette Lyons, Ph.D., Director of the Expressive Arts Therapy Dept. at the San Diego University for Integrative Studies

 

Art, Music, Drama and Dance Therapists have long been used for healing throughout time. The field of Expressive Arts Therapy is a growing field of practice used by many healing professionals from nurses, doctors, psychotherapist, occupational therapist and rehabilitation specialists. The Expressive Arts Therapy is the of use of the arts for healing and self enhancement.

I have been reading your posts in my blog, and see that you would like more art projects.  So I decided to send you this one.  It is one of my favorites.  I call it a Place in Nature.  I encourage you to use music with this exercise.  Most of the time when I do are I like to incorporate music and sometimes movement to get the energy moving, especially if I am feeling stuck.

This exercise will encourage you to take a few minutes to rest, breath and relax ~~ and create.

Gather your materials first:

Most of us spend much to little time giving appreciation to ourselves.  We hurry through our days from one project or responsibility to another.  How many times have you just STOPPED!!! and spent some time creating and appreciating you as a creative wonderful being?

Here is a fun project that you can do that does not take much time but really helps you focus on things that you appreciate about yourself.  When you appreciate you and value YOU.... then other's will do the same.

Materials:

Art has a natural way of helping people express what they can not find words for.  Since the language of image precedes the spoken word, image can access feelings and experiences that one may find it difficult to access by talking.  In art therapy, the use of color and form and image is a language all its own.  Emotionally recorded traumas and experiences that are stored in the emotional areas of the brain are activated during the art making process.  Neither client nor therapist need to have any artistic ability or training for art to work in the therapeutic process.

You are invited to participate in the San Diego University for Integrative Studies (SDUIS) Art Journal Project.  We are asking people both Nationally and Internationally to participate in creating our very special art sketchbook journal by submitting art work for this project. The Title of this journal is“LIVING A CREATIVE LIFE”.

Our University has a strong multi-cultural emphasis, therefore, your art submission both here in the US as well as around the world are welcome.

   With Pintrist on the forefront of public awareness, there are many art projects and craft projects being pinned and repined.  As an Expressive Arts Therapist, it is my job to help others use the creative process for healing, self-awareness as a therapeutic intervention.   

 I work with adolescent girls.  They are very interested in doing crafts.  As an art therapist, I have to admit, I cringe slightly inside when the weekly request to do a craft project arises.

Hello All you creative souls,

I am excited to let you know about our upcoming art journal project.  This Spring at the San Diego University for Integrative Studies I am organizing an art show.  However, this art show is not like the usual art show.  This art show is entitled, 'THE ART OF ART THERAPY'.  Therefore, the art for this show is not fine art.  The art for this show will be filled with art created by the artist  for the purpose of self-awareness, self healing and personal transformation.

I guess by now, I should not be so amazed at how art heals and how art transforms.  BUT I AM!  Yes, I am in awe when I am able to witness other's lives and how they use the arts for healing.  The use of art, dance, drama and creative writing access parts of our body/mind that talk can not.   Our inner world becomes known in the process.  Our inner stories are told and the images that reside in the quiet spaces within emerge.  

I just love this process.  

At our most recent expressive arts therapy seminar, a community of amazing people from all around the world joined together, each from their own culture, and corner of the world to share their life experiences and shared their art.