“Some things simply cannot be expressed in words, and art always leaves a tangible fingerprint of one’s self behind which can be observed even years after making.”

Expressive art therapy is the use of creative arts as a form of therapy. This fantastic field has proven to work wonders in many people’s lives around the world. It can help someone express themselves, explore their emotions, manage addictions, anxiety or depression, and improve their self-esteem. It really helps children with developmental disabilities, however; art therapy is awesome because it can help anyone.

Have you ever noticed how much music, or doing an activity like painting relaxes you after a long day? That is because it is very therapeutic. If you see a professional art therapist, they can help you interpret the feelings that pour into your design, and even help work through and resolve problems. Studies have also proven that drawing, painting, playing music, and colouring, even as an adult, has tremendous benefits. Break away from all of the social expectations, and see how freeing it is to let your creativity flow.

Music, art, and dance are the main expressions of this variety of therapy. Music therapy can be a mix of playing instruments, listening to music, and singing. Dance therapy utilizes dance and movement. It makes sense that it is so effective–lots of endorphins are released into your body when you shake it! Art therapy can be a mixture of drawing, colouring, painting, sculpting and pretty much everything else you can think of that is artistic. These are all things people love to do as hobbies, so why not use it to better express yourself, resolve some fears, or problems and show yourself some love?

Besides supporting someone emotionally and helping to lift him or her to higher ground, art therapy is great for many other reasons. It can help general illness. Art is a fabulous escape from feeling icky. Art therapy can help someone who has a cancer diagnosis. Battling cancer takes both a very physical and emotional toll, and is even a struggle accepting the diagnosis. Art and dance are powerful expressions of these emotions and can help relieve a lot of stress, anger, sadness, and other negative emotions. Someone in need of therapy to have some relief after a disaster would also be an excellent candidate for art therapy.

There are so many uses and benefits to expressive arts therapies, that can help drastically improve people’s lives for a plethora of reasons. It can be a great way to release stress after a long working week. Be creative, be expressive and give art therapy a try!

I’m a B.A. artist, a certified art therapist, an art teacher, and an interior designer. I’m applying mindfulness, all of my energetic abilities and information, artistic skills, and experiences in all of the fields mentioned, on daily basis. That is exactly how the term DMA Art Therapy was born. “Direct Memory Access” Art Therapy is based on expressive art therapy and includes mindfulness as a key ingredient to better understanding deep emotions, states, and feelings of oneself. Mindfulness stands for “being present every moment”. My passion is to help people of all ages and needs to cultivate sustainable happiness and flourish in their personal and professional life through creative experiences and self-expression.

You are welcome to connect with me and to check out my DMA Art Therapy Institute sub-page for upcoming news.

Let your energy glow by your mindful & creative flow!