Can Expressive Arts Therapy help with my anxiety and depression?

Expressive Arts therapy can help patients address underlying causes of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, and help to develop coping skills. It is helpful in conjunction with psychiatry, individual and family therapy, skills/process groups, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectic behavior therapy. Engagement with an Expressive Arts therapy group can be a source of self-discovery and support.

Expressive Arts therapy helps people with anxiety and depression express and process their emotions by engaging in creative activities. Creative expression provides a vehicle to document one’s thoughts and feelings, allowing the opportunity to refer back to them as desired over time. The work produced in group sessions can be used as a personal visual journal. Furthermore, engaging in creative endeavors can strengthen the immune system by relieving stress and calming the nervous system.

How Expressive Arts Therapy Can Help You Cope With Anxiety/Depression:

Expressive Arts therapy helps people express and process their emotions through engaging in creative activities. One does not need to have drawing ability or be an artist to successfully engage in Expressive Art Therapy. Previous experience with art making is not mandatory, nor is penmanship important. With expressive art making, almost anything goes! Expressive Arts therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment. People can express and process their emotions nonverbally by engaging in creative activities such as painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture. Expressive Arts therapists can provide clients with a sense of release, empowerment, and a way to explore and understand their feelings. Additionally, engaging creativity in an art therapy session can be meditative and soothing, allowing people to relax and release tension and anxiety. Ultimately, art therapy can provide people with new ways to cope with and manage their symptoms.

Skills taught and reinforced by EXA (Expressive Arts Therapy) include:

• Mindfulness: The practice of being present and aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. In an art therapy session, people learn and practice staying focused on the process of creating art and observing their emotions without judgment.
• Creative self-expression: Expressive Arts Therapy encourages people to express themselves through various art forms, such as painting, drawing, collage, and sculpting. This allows for communicating emotions and experiences in a nonverbal way, bypassing the linear thinking function of the brain and expressing feelings directly.
• Self-reflection: Expressive Art Therapy allows people to reflect on their artwork and explore the underlying meanings and symbolism. You can discover feelings that have been latent, hidden, or inaccessible. It can take you to other periods of time in your life. You may learn new things about yourself. This process promotes introspection and self-awareness, leading to personal growth and insight.
• Coping strategies: Expressive Art Therapy teaches people to develop healthy coping mechanisms for managing depression symptoms. By engaging in a creative activity, people can channel their energy into a positive and constructive outlet, improving their overall well-being. Creative thinking and creative problem-solving are actively encouraged and supported.
• Communication: Express Art Therapy facilitates communication between the person, the therapist, and peers in a group setting. Through art making, people can convey their inner thoughts and feelings, promoting a deeper understanding of their experiences while developing shared connections.
• Self-esteem building: Expressive Art Therapy can help boost self-esteem by providing opportunities for people to create and succeed in their artistic endeavors. This self-expression can have a positive impact on their confidence and self-worth.
• Stress reduction: Engaging in art-making can reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can be particularly beneficial for managing depression symptoms. Expressive Art Therapy allows for the body to become more directly involved and teaches people how to use art endeavors for stress relief and emotional well-being.

Overall Expressive Art Therapy equips people with valuable skills for managing anxiety and depression, promoting self-discovery, and improving overall mental health.

Benefits of Expressive Arts Therapy for anxiety and depression:

The process of drawing, painting, collage, and creative expression has many benefits including:

• Increased feeling of calm and well-being
• Decreased stress and anxiety
• Creative expression of ideas, feelings, problems, and concerns
• An increase in self-esteem, self-awareness, and mindfulness

Expressive Arts therapy has been shown to have significant long-term mental health benefits. People who have engaged in regular EXA sessions have reported reduced symptoms and an improved overall mood. Over time, the creative process of artistic expression can help people manage their emotions and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Additionally, working with an art therapist can provide a sense of self-expression and empowerment, leading to a greater sense of self-worth and overall well-being. for people struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Expressive Arts Therapy Methods: What can I expect in an Expressive Arts therapy group session?

A group session starts by entering a space prepared for creative activity. At Mind Therapy Clinic our group begins with a few moments for grounding and warming-up. Two important aspects of the group are engaging with the materials/activity and sharing one’s process at the end. The group is supportive and non-judgmental. A directive is given at the beginning of the group time, with plenty of time to take the idea into one’s own hands. Support is offered throughout the creative process to bypass the linear thinking function of the brain and express feelings directly. The process of engaging with the materials is more important than the product, and we leave ample time to talk about that process at the end. In this group, we do not always need to use words to communicate and for some talking will be minimal. For others expressing the process verbally as we wrap up the group will be important. Through a nonjudgemental stance, members are invited to relax into their process. We use a variety of art materials and encourage exploration! A variety of paints, markers, pencils, collages, air-dry clay, big and small sheets of paper, and found objects are always available. Working with art materials can be relaxing. Members can expect to learn about themselves while supporting and being supported by other group members and the therapist. The Expressive Arts Therapy group offers an opportunity for self-exploration, stress reduction, personal expression, and support.

If you’re interested, contact us to inquire about the group. You can also take a look at our other therapy groups.