Breaking news from NewsDaily, updated every 15 minutes.Top Best Entertainment news stories. Current Best ... Register or log in using your account on these websites. You may choose news, top news, world news, politics, business, science, entertainment, sports etc.


Thursday, 24 April 2014

Art Forms That Can Be Used As Expressive Therapies

By Essie Osborn


Art not only is for pleasure but sometimes it can also be used as a form of therapy in order to open up the mind and even heal some part of it. Expressive therapies by using art are commonly used by a lot of therapies in order to make a person feel better or make him more relaxed with himself. For those who are interested in this type of therapy, here are some ideas that many therapists would use.

Now one of the most common art forms that a lot of therapists would ask participants to do would be none other than the puppet. Now this method is often used on children or even teenagers if they would have a hard time opening up. The puppet gives them an alter ego in which they can communicate their thoughts with if they do not usually open up to people.

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.

Another one which is not as commonly used as the first one would be the paper bag art therapy. Now this one is usually used when the participant has identity issues or if he does not know what exactly to do with his life. This activity will help him be able to assess himself and how he would want to approach life as his very own person without considering outside factors.

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.

Aside from that, one may also do some drama theater arts that will act as a therapy to participants. This will help participants temporarily escape from their current life situation by assuming the role of another character. This will let them have a stronger sense of empathy and will broaden their minds as well as their creative expression.

Now a very good way for the therapist to know what is in the mind of the participant is to ask the participant to draw himself. From there, the therapist and the participant will discuss what the participant sees after drawing the picture. This can also be used as a way for the participant to let out some thoughts.

So as one can see, there are so many ways that art can be used therapeutically. These are not the only art forms that can be used when therapists perform expressive art therapies. These are only a few ideas that most utilize as they are some of the most effective.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment