The Art of Healing: Different forms of Creative Therapy
.
Drama therapy
Drama therapy is the use of theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals and outcomes. Becoming popular in the 18th century, drama therapy is used in a vast range of settings including mental health organizations, hospital schools, businesses and prisons. It can be utilized in many forms and applied in the context of individuals, families, couples and other groups. Drama therapy can take on a range of forms including:
- improvisations
- drama exercises
- roleplay
- theater games
- storytelling
- enactment
- puppetry
.
By using an active and experiential practice this approach can help individuals to set goals, regulate emotions, story tell, develop interpersonal skills and explore deeper feelings.
Drama therapy uses theater exercises to help participants to express themselves and gain deep insight into both themselves and the world around them.
.
Johns (1996) established nine core processes:
- Dramatic projection.
• Assists participants to project that inner feelings and resolve issues onto a role or object. - Personification and impersonation.
• Involves 2 techniques where participants can express personal material / stories through object or role play. - Interactive audience and witnessing.
• Involves participant the group in the role of the audience/witness - Playing
• Involves problem solving playing at a scene objects are made into new roles and changes are made throughout. - Drama therapeutic empathy and distancing
• The ability of the participants to engage / disengage with the material that relates to their problems / conflicts. - Life-drama connection
• The process where participants analyze and assess their problems/issues throughout a theater performance / dramatic projection - Transformation
• Using theater techniques built into the structure of Storytelling - Embodiment
• Physical expression of personal material - Therapeutic performance
• Therapeutic use of performance to work through participants personal issues / themes
.
Elisha Lewis, Psychologist, Cerca Abroad
Internship (“IASIS | At Centro”)
.
.
Dance Therapy
Dance therapy emerged in the 1940’s, developed by Marian chase. Trudi schoop and Mary whitehouse. The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) was founded in 1966 to establish the field and set professional standards. All three observed that dance and movement can be therapeutic and began to use them in clinical settings.
.
Dance Techniques include Rhythm Movement, improvisation, and structure dance routines are used for emotional regulation, stress management and social skills development. These techniques can be effective in many types of settings, a few include hospitals, or schools etc.
- Improvisation
- Rhythm Movement
- Structure Dance
.
Dance therapy can help participants, or clients connect with their bodies. Engaging in dance movements that allows individuals to release any tension and stress as well as creating a safe space to express emotions. Dance therapy can provide a way to process trauma. Movement helps individuals to reconnect with their bodies, work through painful memories and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
.
Angela Stadelman Psychologist, Cerca Abroad
Internship, “IASIS | At Centro”
.
.
Music therapy
Music therapy is a method of regulating different emotions to process internal trauma, reduce stress or cognitive function. Music therapy began becoming popular after World War II ended when many soldiers were in hospitals. The music that was played for the show increased their well-being and physical health. Music therapy has so many psychological benefits such as uplifting moods reducing anxiety facilitating self-reflection and the process of trauma. It allows the brain to process the sound and instruments differently than just regular speech. The power of music still applies even when the patient has had brain injuries/damages or dementia, because music is processed differently in our brains then verbal speech it allows the patient to express themselves and experience what and how they’re feeling on a deeper level.
.
Music therapists work with patients to find the right techniques that will fit in each person’s interest goals or specific needs. A music therapist might ask what memories or emotions a song or sound reminds them of and why those feelings would be associated with it. While most music therapists have the same end goal there are many ways music therapy is practice. Analytical music therapy is one that uses an improvised musical dialogue through singing or playing an instrument to express unconscious thoughts. This helps lead to reflection and a deeper discussion of what the patient was really feeling. Another music therapy also known as vocal psychotherapy uses various focal exercises, natural sounds and breathing techniques to connect with your emotions and impulses. It’s meant to create a deeper sense of connection with yourself.
.
Therese Solomon, Psychologist, Cerca Abroad
Internship, “IASIS | At Centro”
.
.
Photo art therapy
Photo art therapy includes the use of photo therapy, often including the use of photography and personal snapshots in which trained professionals use during their counseling sessions. The American Art Therapy Association highlights art therapy as an integrative mental health profession which combines knowledge and understanding of the human mind, along with psychological theories and techniques involving visual arts to help patients improve their psychological health, cognitive abilities and sensory motor functions. Photography in clinical and therapeutic settings aim to facilitate people in their ability to recognize and express their emotions, altogether promoting self understanding. One of the first recognized therapeutic interventions with photography was conducted by Hugh Diamond, who wrote about the act in his 1856 article titled “On the Application of photography to the physiognomic and mental phenomena of insanity”. He also used photography to document the facial expressions of his potentes suffering from mental disorders and other neurological issues as well.
.
Lauren Reyes Psychologist Cerca Abroad
Internship Iasis at Centro
.
.
Art therapy
Art therapy is a style of therapy which utilizes visual forms of expression aiming to reconcile conflicts. Art therapy became a distinct discipline in the 1970s. Art therapy can have multiple physical and mental benefits as it can help people to become more present and relaxed. It helps to reduce stress and increase cognitive abilities, even having the potential to help prevent dementia. It has also been seen that creativity when tapped into regularly can significantly reduce anxiety.
.
As art therapy mainly focuses on non verbal communication it can be useful for all ages. Although the interpretation of art work can sometimes be tricky, there are multiple common archetypes about colors and textures used, for example harsh dark lines suggest anger within the client. It also can be used at home meaning a clinical setting is not needed in order for art therapy to be effective. Art therapy is powerful as it can be used in cultures where mental health is stigmatized, as people can use the strategies without the stereotype of clinical psychology.
.
In one study 79% of participants had increased self esteem after partaking in art sessions highlighting how beneficial art is to a person’s mental health. Another study has shown that even just 45 minutes of creative artwork can lead to significant stress reduction
.
Marianna Low, Psychologist, Cerca Abroad
Internship, “IASIS | At Centro”
.