HELPFUL EFFECTS OF CREATIVE EXPRESSIVE-BODILY MAPS OF EMOTIONS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A PRELIMINARY QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

A tool named ‘Creative Expressive-Bodily maps of emotions’ (CE-BME) has been used widely among counselling practitioners or therapists in Malaysia’s mental health settings. However, limited research was done to examine the helpful & unhelpful process and helpful & unhelpful effects in practice. This preliminary study aims to explore specifically the practical effects of using this tool from the therapist’s perspective. This preliminary study used a qualitative approach, namely the grounded theory method, through face-to-face and video call interviews with four therapists from the mental health setting. These therapists conducted sessions for children and adolescents using the CE-BME in their sessions. The data through grounded theory analysis in this phenomenological study aims to answer the research question: What are the helpful effects of using the CE-BME in psychotherapy with children and adolescents? As a result, seven themes from two categories of helpful effects emerged. With regards to the effects on the client from the therapist’s perspective, four themes emerged given by i) experiencing positive emotions, ii) improving in cognition process and insight, iii) positive behaviours in therapy, and iv) inducing problem-solving. In addition, three themes emerged regarding the effects on the therapist, including i) positive emotions toward the therapist, ii) increased skills in the therapy session, and iii) increased competency in handling a young client’s case. The finding confirmed the positive effects on emotions, behaviour, and cognition in therapy for young clients who are incapable to express their feelings verbally (from the therapist’s perspective) and impacts the therapist’s feelings, behaviour, and competency in handling child and adolescent clients.