Healing Arts
Expressive Arts Therapy – More Than Just Making Art
When people hear “expressive arts therapy,” they often picture finger painting or adult coloring books—and while those can be powerful tools, this work goes much deeper.
At its core, expressive arts therapy isn’t about creating something pretty. It’s about using the creative process—movement, sound, image, or storytelling—as a way to access emotions, process experiences, and reconnect with parts of ourselves that talk therapy alone may not always reach.
What Is Expressive Arts Therapy, Really?
Expressive arts therapy is an integrative approach that combines psychology and the creative process. It’s not about technical skill. In fact, it works best when we let go of perfection and lean into exploration.
In a session, you might:
Sculpt or draw to externalize a painful memory
Use movement to release tension stored in the body
Free-write a letter to your past or future self
Create a collage to visualize your healing
The goal? To bypass the thinking mind and access the deeper layers of experience that live in the body, the senses, and the subconscious.
Why It Works
Trauma and stress aren't just “in our heads.” They live in our nervous systems. Creative expression can help move those stuck places—literally and metaphorically.
Here’s why expressive arts therapy can be so effective:
It gives shape to things we don’t have words for
It engages the whole brain, not just the verbal centers
It fosters safety, agency, and even play (yes, healing can include play)
It helps clients feel seen—not just for their story, but for their spirit
And no—this isn’t “arts and crafts time.” It’s evidence-informed, intuitive, and intentionally facilitated by a trained clinician.
Who Is It For?
Honestly? Almost everyone.
We use expressive arts therapy with:
Adults processing trauma
Teens struggling to articulate feelings
People who feel “stuck” in talk therapy
Clients who are highly verbal but disconnected from the body
Those who simply want to explore new ways to heal
You don’t need to consider yourself creative. In fact, sometimes the most profound breakthroughs come from clients who haven’t picked up a crayon or danced freely in decades.
What It Looks Like at Our Practice
At Journey for Life, we use expressive arts therapy alongside EMDR, mindfulness, and somatic practices. Sometimes it’s a full session of art-making; other times it’s a spontaneous 10-minute invitation to move or draw in the middle of a processing block.
We believe healing is personal—and expression is sacred.
Ready to Explore?
If you’re curious about expressive arts therapy—for yourself or a client—reach out. We’re happy to answer questions, offer consultation, or explore whether this might be a fit.
Schedule your complimentary consultation
You don’t have to be an artist to express what needs to come out.
