As counselors strive to provide people with holistic counseling services, many are beginning to use expressive therapies and traditional counseling approaches as part of their treatment plans for their clients. Understanding the benefits of art in counseling and the power of expressive arts therapy can help you learn how to incorporate these techniques into your counseling practice.
Understanding Creative Arts Therapies
Creative arts therapies refer to therapy approaches rooted in the creative arts, such as dance, drama, poetry, and art. While creative art therapies complement a counseling care plan, expressive therapies differ.
According to Psychology Today, expressive therapies involve therapeutic art activities within the context of psychotherapy and counseling. For example, a counselor may recommend that a patient explore art, dance, or poetry in their time as a way of benefiting from the creative arts. Still, a counselor who utilizes expressive therapies does so within the context of their patient's evidence-based counseling treatment plan.
What Makes a Therapy “Expressive”
Therapy becomes expressive when therapeutic art activities are used purposely in combination with other counseling treatment services. For example, a counselor may use music therapy to improve their client's psychological or social functioning. It is essential to know that expressive arts therapy can be used within all counseling specialties and across all client demographics, making it one of the most versatile integrative therapy approaches.
Historical Development and Professional Standards
Humans have relied on art therapy techniques since ancient times. Still, in recent years, professional standards have been developed to ensure evidence-based art therapy is implemented correctly within the therapeutic setting. Today, counselors who incorporate therapeutic art activities into their practice actively work to provide their clients with the materials they need and encourage them to use expressive arts therapy during their counseling sessions as part of their treatment.
Art Therapy in Counseling
Art therapy in counseling is known as the use of visual arts materials within the context of therapy. Art therapy supports creative self-expression, and can provide counselors with further insight into the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of their clients. Art therapy is one of the most versatile forms of expressive arts therapy, and it can be used with clients of all ages.
Common Techniques and Materials
Counselors across all specialty areas may rely on various art therapy techniques and materials. The art therapy approach used will vary based on the client's age and their specific needs. Some common art therapy techniques include:
- Drawing for mood expression — When a counselor is working with a client struggling to find the right words to express their feelings, they may ask them to draw a picture that represents the way they are feeling in that moment.
- Mandala art therapy — Mandala art therapy is an approach that requires the patient to create their own mandala. While creating and designing their circular pattern, the client may become more relaxed and comfortable in the session. They may also begin to better understand their own feelings and identify their emotions.
Therapeutic Goals and Benefits
The therapeutic art interventions that counselors use within their practice will depend heavily on the needs and goals of their individual clients. In general, the benefits of art therapy are significant and far-reaching, making it a versatile form of expressive arts therapy that can easily be incorporated into any type of counseling treatment plan.
Music Therapy Applications
Counselors who apply music therapy techniques in their practice find that this is a flexible form of expressive arts therapy. Music therapeutic activities may include listening to music along with a counselor, singing during a therapy session, or using instruments to express feelings.
Structured and Improvisational Methods
By relying on structured and improvisational music therapy interventions, counselors can take a layered approach to this form of expressive arts therapy. In structured music therapy, counselors will often use specific interventions, such as guided imagery music therapy, to intentionally use music to help clients work through their feelings and experiences. Through improvisational methods, counselors will provide the client with the music materials during the session and allow the client to direct the therapeutic experience.
Clinical Outcomes and Populations
Music therapy interventions can lead to a wide range of clinical outcomes in individuals of all ages and backgrounds. While clinical outcomes will vary, some benefits of music therapy may include:
- Reducing levels of anxiety or depression.
- Improving mood regulation.
- Improving communication skills.
- Building and improving social skills.
- Promoting the development of positive coping mechanisms.
- Improving overall outlook and quality of life.
Drama and Psychodrama Techniques
Drama and psychodrama techniques are another form of expressive arts therapy that counselors can use within their integrative therapy practice. Psychology Today defines drama therapy as an active and intentional approach to expressive arts therapy in which theatrical processes are used to promote emotional healing and personal growth.
Role-Play and Storytelling
Role-playing and storytelling are two of the most commonly used drama therapy techniques. Through these performance activities, clients can take on different personas, experience a different perspective, or share more about their own emotions through the guise of performance. Drama therapy can be incredibly beneficial. This form of expressive arts therapy can help:
- Support the development of practical problem-solving skills.
- Explore emotional expression within the therapeutic setting.
- Let clients better understand how their mental and emotional well-being impacts their physical health.
Transformative Effects
Drama therapy can transform lives by giving individuals the tools they need to express their feelings, use their imagination, and be playful. In addition to supporting mental and emotional well-being, this therapy can introduce people to a love of the performing arts that can last a lifetime.
Integrating Creative Modalities Into Counseling Practice
Depending on your specialty area and the patient population you work with, you may choose to integrate one or more expressive therapies into your integrative counseling practice. It is essential to make thoughtful and informed choices as you begin to offer expressive arts therapy within your practice.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Before incorporating therapeutic art activities into your counseling practice, you will want to assess and evaluate your clients. As you work to create a treatment plan for your clients, you can explore their interest in creative self-expression and their willingness to try expressive arts therapy within the scope of their treatment.
Ethical and Cultural Considerations
When offering your clients the opportunity to participate in therapeutic art activities, it's important to consider ethical and cultural considerations. By developing a deep sense of cultural awareness and creating a culturally responsive therapeutic practice, you can provide your clients with personalized options for expressive arts therapy that best align with their therapeutic goals.
Measuring Progress and Outcomes
Monitoring outcomes is one of the key components of evidence-based art therapy. It requires counselors to collect data related to their clients' progress and continually evaluate the success of their expressive arts therapy programs.
Qualitative and Quantitative Tools
Counselors should use a combination of qualitative and quantitative tools to evaluate the outcomes of evidence-based art therapy in their practice. Qualitative tools may include opinion forms that explore feedback from previous clients, while quantitative tools may include scale tools that measure the impact and effectiveness of art therapy techniques.
Documenting and Communicating Results
In addition to collecting data and assessing expressive therapy outcomes, counselors must also be committed to documenting those outcomes and sharing results with their clients. By providing actionable information about the results, counselors and their clients can continue collaborating on the integrative therapy approach that will best meet their needs.
Training and Resources for Counselors
To effectively use expressive therapies within your practice and fully uncover art therapy's benefits, you must commit to ongoing training and education. Through professional development and advanced educational programs, you can become specialized in specific types of art therapy techniques.
Credential Pathways and Continuing Education
Continuing education, certification, and professional development programs allow you to develop the credentials required to offer expressive arts therapy as part of your integrative counseling practice.
Building a Creative Therapy Toolkit
Expressive arts therapy is offered within the context of the therapeutic setting, requiring you to provide your clients with the tools and resources they need to complete their therapeutic art activities. Before you begin offering these services to your clients, you will want to build a creative therapy toolkit that includes:
- Art materials like colored pencils, crayons, markers, paint, and oil pastels.
- Paper
- Scissors
- Song books
- Storybooks and picture books
- Music playlists
- Puppets
- Costumes
Learn How to Implement Art Therapy Techniques Into Your Counseling Practice at Indiana Wesleyan University
By recognizing the powerful role of the creative arts in counseling, mental health professionals can create a holistic treatment plan for their clients. At Indiana Wesleyan University, our Division of Counseling offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that allow students to explore the leading integrative therapy approaches and learn more about the impact of evidence-based art therapy in counseling.
Find your program and learn more today!
