What is Expressive Arts Facilitation?

Expressive Arts is a relatively new field and while it shares some principles of art therapy, it is separate and distinct from art therapy.  Most importantly if you are attending an Expressive Arts Workshop or Class we are not “doing therapy.”  The “leader” functions as a facilitator, not a teacher and not a therapist.  

While engaging in the Expressive Arts does help reduce anxiety, improve overall health and form connections, there is no diagnosis or defined problem to work on.   The “goal” in an Expressive Arts Workshop is to help participants access their own creative spirit to explore their inner world and their innate ability to grow and heal in a safe and supportive environment.  Most people find the experience pleasurable, inspiring and calming.  The facilitator offers creative prompts or leading questions for participants to explore through expressive mediums such as paint, collage, movement, drawing, writing or sound.  

While the facilitator guides the process with prompts, suggestions and the offer of materials; the facilitator does not interpret the participants' work.  Each participant is able to gain their own insights based on their own process and associations and is free to choose whether or not to share their insights with the facilitator and group.

While there might be some basic instruction in the use of art materials so participants feel comfortable using the materials, Expressive Arts Workshops are not art classes and art making techniques such as figure drawing or landscape painting are not taught.   

The good news is that you do not need to be an artist or have experience with art making materials to participate and benefit from the experience!  All art materials will be provided.  Pre-registration is required for most workshops.

More about how Expressive Arts Therapy
and Psychotherapy Work

Many people find they have had some experiences that defy language. The expressive arts offer people the opportunity to express themselves creatively through a variety of techniques and materials. The expressive arts tap into all of our senses offering a whole body, a whole person, experience.  Expressive arts therapy is not about making “fine art” but rather about expressing and learning about ourselves by tapping into our innate creativity and healing capacity.  

The Expressive Arts is a multi-modal process in which we utilize a variety of techniques - drawing and painting, collage, writing, sound, writing to express ourselves.   We might use guided imagery and draw; dance and paint; make a collage and write.  Expressive Arts Therapy taps into a variety of sensory experiences as the movement between processes and activities deepens our experience and fosters integration. Most people find this approach helpful and even pleasurable.

No artistic training or experience is necessary and materials are provided for your use.

​The expressive arts are appropriate for both individual and group settings. If you are interested in learning more about the expressive arts,  please do not hesitate to contact me.

Psychotherapy

Therapy is a very personal and individualized experience. No two people have the same experience of therapy.  I believe successful therapy is a collaborative process. Most people come to therapy because they feel stuck in some way.  Together we will create a safe environment for you to explore your past and present losses and disappointments to uncover the factors leading you to feel stuck.  It is in the context of this safe and healing relationship that you will begin to feel “unstuck” and begin to grow and change as you want.

For decades therapy was considered “the talking cure.”  And while talking is a big part of the work we do together, I encourage folks to try mind-body techniques such as gentle movement, breathing, writing and the expressive arts.   In recent decades research has proven what many intuitively have known.  Trauma resides in the body.  To heal trauma we must heal our bodies. In addition, we cannot separate our minds from our bodies so while many people experience distressing thoughts and feelings in their minds, the key to relief is accessing and releasing the distress and discomfort we experience in our bodies.  We do this through somatic awareness, gentle movement, breathing and the expressive arts. 

In addition, many people feel frustrated or embarrassed because they "know" what to do but yet they don't do it. This struggle is very normal. Many people find they get in the way of their own progress for both conscious and unconscious reasons. I can help you to understand this process in yourself and see what is getting in your way so that you can consistently live the way you want.  

Currently I offer online psychotherapy and online and in-person expressive arts therapy and facilitation.  If you are interested in psychotherapy or expressive arts therapy, please give me a call at 207-706-6485.

Workshops 

In addition to Expressive Arts Therapy I offer workshops and classes, in person and virtually.

  Topics include:

• Self care and compassion

• Art as Knowing

• Expressive arts and yoga

• Bi-lateral drawing and painting

• Focusing and expressive arts

• Nesting and sheltering

• Broken Bowl 

• And others

Clinical Trainings  

I am available to provide training to clinicians and therapists both in person and virtually. Possible topics include:

• The Therapeutic Relationship

• Transference and Countertransference

• Integrating Expressive Arts with Talk Therapy

• Trauma Informed Psychotherapy

• Mind-Body Medicine Techniques for integration in psychotherapy