Expressive Therapies

Definition of Expressive Therapy

Expressive therapy is the use of creative arts such as music, dance, drama and writing/drawing as a form of therapy.

Expressive Therapies are Useful with…

Young Children - when vocabulary is limited

Adolescents - when talking isn’t working

Creative Clients - who enjoy being creative

Young Children

Drawing Pictures - person, house, treeFamily picturesSelf portraitsAbuse Disclosure

Puppet Shows - to act out real life situations

Role Plays - to better explain situations happening between two or more people

Adolescents

Music - writing songs, sharing songs/music that describes them

Drama - role play, acting out situations. Difficulties in social situations, discussions with parents.

Art - a safe way to communicate. Often easier than words.

Adolescent Poem by 13-Year-Old Girl“Why do we have the word beautiful?

It only causes pain.

Why aren’t we all beautiful?

Ugly is all we gain.

Why does the world want beautiful?

When we all are in our own ways.

Why do we not see beautiful?

In that mirror on even better days.

Importance of Musical Lyrics to Adolescents- Identify with lyrics.

- Musicians say it better than they can say it themselves.

- Create theme songs or mantras.

- * Pay attention to lyrics, favorite songs

- Songs can be deceiving…i.e. Pumped up Kicks

- Using iPhone dock in office to play songs.

Using Children’s Drawings to Gain Perspective

Domestic Violence

What Happened? What did you do?

What was that like for you?

Death of a Family Member

How did you feel? What do you remember?

Relationship to ParentsHow do you feel when you’re around Mom/Dad?

Why do you think you’re in trouble? What do you think is going to happen?

Immigrant Children

What do you miss about home? Who do you miss the most?

Why are you afraid?

Using Drawings for Disclosure

A Case Study

Case Study: 7-Year-Old Boy

Youngest of 3 children: Hispanic/AA

Father moved back to Mexico when he was young. Doesn’t see dad often.

Single Mom - worked two jobs.

13 yrs. old brother - primary care giver (went to same elementary school)

Been hospitalized 3x prior year.

Diagnosed Bi-Polar w/ Psychotic Features

On Medication - assigned to outside therapist, never followed through.

Referral for climbing backstop.

Followed me to my office with promise of M&M’s.

During next S-Team, recommended that I start seeing him.

Never smiled. Peers were afraid of him. Routinely threw chairs and destroyed room. Rarely talked.

Month 1

Consulted with supervisor.

Made clear my role with supervisor.

Met with 1st grade teacher.

Read cumulative record - behavior had significantly worsened since prior year.

Something’s missing…

Began seeing him weekly.

Behavior contract.

Very guarded. (Exploratory stage)

Month 2 - 4

My office became a safe place.

Would often show up if he was in trouble - went to designated place in back of the room.

Still only communicating minimally.

Smiling occasionally.

Acting up during classroom guidance (Testing for protection).

First Self Portrait

Month 4 - 5

Started smiling

Began opening up

Bringing me gifts from home.

“I love you. I want you to be my mom.” (dependency)

Aggressive behavior dramatically decreased.

Started playing with other kids. High-fiving and laughing.

Next Self Portrait

Month 6

Behavior escalated again.

One day after getting in trouble. Shut down. Climbed under the couch.

Disclosure.

Brought in older brother. Drew pictures.

Report to DCS.

Next Day

He doesn’t show up for school.

Phone is disconnected.

Apartment is cleared out.

One month later…

School in Texas requests records.

Called DCS - process will have to start all over.

Writing Exercises

Writing circles – great for groups of teenagers

Writing prompts – work well with kids/teens who have a hard time opening up, talking about feelings, understanding how their feelings and emotions are connected.