Expressive therapy

The Expressive Arts Therapy is a form of artistic therapies. Under the heading of " art -oriented action " in support of change processes, it was developed in the 70s by Shaun McNiff, Paolo Knill and Norma Canner in the U.S. as an intermodal variant of art therapy. The Expressive Arts Therapy refers to as intermodal therapy in the therapeutic practice, all artistic disciplines such as visual arts, dance, the theater, music or poetry. In German-speaking countries it is known as " Intermedia Art Therapy ".

Development

1974 began Shaun McNiff, Paolo J. Knill and Norma Canner at Lesley University in Cambridge ( USA), a Master's course in " Creative Arts Therapy" build, from which the " Expressive Arts Therapy" and in German-speaking countries the " Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy "or" Intermedia Art Therapy " developed. The " Expressive Arts Therapy" ( EXA ) or " Intermedia Art Therapy " is a form of artistic therapies, which includes all the arts, So the visual, performing and musical arts, and is therefore considered intermodal form of art therapy. In Germany it is related to art-based and interdisciplinary approaches to art therapy.

Description

The art-oriented support processes of change is essentially founded on the method of " intermodal decentering ". Decentering principle says a distancing from the actual problem and thus the concern of the client / client. Letting go of the problem happening in the temporary shift to another, creatively artistic activity. This allows for new experiences on one's own thinking, behavior and experience. In the artistic decentralization is the possibility of a chosen artistic form ( eg working with color) in the course of therapy or counseling in a different art form to change (eg work with poetic texts). This conversion of the unit into a new artistic mode is called intermodal decentering. Characteristic of the artistic work is the low threshold of tenders: The means and media used should be easy to use and attractive in design potential. Designing is the principle of " low skills, high sensitivity" oriented.

Training

At various universities in the U.S. and Europe Nationally Accredited Bachelor 's and Master's programs in Expressive Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy and Inter -media art therapy are offered in the U.S. at Lesley University, the California Institute of Integral Studies, or - in the German language under the name " Intermedia Art Therapy " or " Expressive Arts in Social transformation" - at the MSH Medical School Hamburg.