Expressive Arts Therapy
Creative pursuits allow us to access feelings and thoughts that aren’t always easy to put into words.
Therapy Through Creativity
A distinguishing characteristic of The Meadows Malibu treatment process is our focus on integrating holistic methods into our therapies. Expressive Arts Therapy, or simply art therapy, encourages patients to express themselves through a variety of activities that can help them process what they learn during group sessions. Embedding art and self-expression into therapy has many significant advantages for patients including giving them the ability to share perceptions they can’t typically express with other therapy methods.
The works of art created are not the final product. Instead, the simple yet profound exercise of expressive arts is about what patients can recognize and realize about themselves through the process.
How It Works
When patients are given a creative, unstructured environment for personal expression, they experience a freedom that allows them to unearth and dissect their inner feelings, which is an important part of the healing process. By using images to communicate, patients often better express their feelings than if they were forced to convey those emotions verbally.
Directed art projects often relate back to topics covered during group sessions as well as the reasons they came into treatment. In addition to these guided sessions, the art room is open during off times for all patients to use, stocked with paint, clay, collage and drawing materials, pastels, colored pencils, and other creative supplies.
No Art Skills Required
This form of therapy is not at all cognitive, so it works with the lower parts of the brain that we don’t normally have access to, and it’s beneficial to experienced artists and the “creatively-challenged” alike. That’s because the works of art created are not the final product. Instead, the simple yet profound exercise of expressive arts is about what patients can recognize and realize about themselves through the process.
We’re Ready to Help
Is it time to take that next step? Our Admissions team is here to help 24 hours a day and will treat you with compassion, dignity, and respect. The Meadows’ Admissions Specialists are here to help you on your way to the healthier, more fulfilling life you imagine. If you are interested in The Meadows Malibu for yourself or a loved one, call or fill out a contact form today!