What is good about ExArt therapy?
ExArt therapy is inherently intellectual and emotional simultaneously. It helps people to explore their lives thus far, currently, and as well as their dreams for the future in a flexible way that allows for raw expression as well as refined intellectual musings. It is also the only form of art therapy that allows any art modality to be incorporated. But not only does it allow for any art form, it also acknowledges that art is part of life and is a construct all on its own that can be found in any aspect of life. On top of all everything else, it is fun! While you are doing deep and difficult work, you don’t notice it because the act of engaging in ExArt therapy is so enjoyable.
How can Explorative Art therapy help someone practically?
Unlike therapies that do not incorporate the arts or are confined to one branch of the arts, ExArt therapy uses the healing power of every art form for its clients. ExArt therapists understand that every individual is so unique that one form of art that might resonate with one client might not help another client. And, the ability to combine experiences with different art forms means that we can explore the person more deeply. Movement arts help connect with the body on a more emotional level. Art forms predicated on the written or spoken word are often more intellectual. While visual arts bridge the gap by often requiring movement as well as intellectual processes f0r a finished product to be complete.
The ability to choose so many different forms of expression makes it so that anyone can find their own individual way to express and explore different aspects of themselves. And this can change on any given day, so that where painting with water colour one day could work, while the next, drumming into contemporary dancing could work better. Perhaps, pottery or cooking on another day, or playing with words, both spoken and written, could have the best effect. Flexibility is integral to exploration and the knowledge that comes with it, and no other form of therapy has such a malleable nature.