What is Expressive Arts?

Expressive Arts (EXA) is a therapeutic field in which the arts—dance, music, visual arts, theatre and poetry—are used as a catalyst for change in an individual, organization or community. EXA works by activating the imagination and stimulating the senses, expanding cognition beyond the logic of the intellect.

Simply put, EXA helps us move from limitation to possibility. As we engage our creativity we develop confidence in our ability to produce and manage change in our lives and in the world. EXA is appropriate for clients of all ages and abilities. No arts experience is needed.

How does Expressive Arts help in therapy?

The arts enable us to give expression to pain and distress that is beyond language—to move it from the abyss within into a physical form that can be examined, acknowledged and released by the sufferer, clearing the path to change.

The arts also give a physical presence to hopes and dreams; as we shape our images they in turn shape us. When we depict with a drawing, collage or sculpture, or enact a new way of being in the world, it is empowering. Practicing a new behavior in the imaginal realm paves the way for a shift in the physical world.

EXA is often used in conjunction with, or as an alternative to psychotherapy. Among many applications, it is highly effective in the treatment of eating disorders, substance abuse, depression and mental illness. It is helpful, too, for clients who are dealing with loss, facing a life-threatening illness, and for those who have experienced trauma.