Expressive Arts Therapy

Abstract

Expressive arts therapy addresses the natural human desire to create, and employs this to transform human suffering. It uses a multiarts approach, because creativity is not limited to one mode of expression. The thrust is to ignite the creative process by use of creative expressive techniques, with the objective to facilitate individual and collective healing and growth. The pioneers of expressive arts (EXA) therapy came from diverse disciplines inspired by distinct roots that embraced multiarts creativity as means of healing. The methods employed by expressive arts therapy integrate psychology with a multiarts based or intermodal approach. EXA therapy has grown extensively and has a professional organization, The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) and numerous applications.