Creative Arts Therapy
What is Creative Arts Therapy?
Creative Arts Therapy uses art making to promote health, communication and expression. The creative arts involve the use of visual arts, drama, music, dance/movement (or a combination of arts) to explore identified or emergent needs of individuals and groups. A professional therapeutic relationship facilitates the discovery and exploration of these needs in a safe and supportive environment.
The Aim of Creative Arts Therapy
The overall aim of creative arts therapy is to enable clients to effect change and growth on a personal level through the use of art making and self-expression. The ability for creative engagement to simply maintain health and well-being should also be noted.
As members of therapeutic teams or as private practitioners creative arts therapists work closely with other professionals. Therapists:
- Identify client needs and strengths
- Identify specific (client-led) treatment goals and objectives
- Offer strategies that involve music, art, drama and/or dance/movement activities
- Potentially develop an arts-based treatment program
- Evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness on an ongoing basis
- Adjust as needed to maintain an effective therapeutic relationship
The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy website contains further information on the benefits of art making within a therapeutic environment:
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