MARCO Trust - The Centre of Creativity for Well-being

CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY (C.A.T.)

The healthiest form of projection is art. Fritz Perls

Creative Arts Therapy at MARCO

Since ancient times the arts have been used to communicate, to celebrate, and to heal. In recent times there has been a surge of interest in, and research into the relationship of the arts and therapy. There are two main ways in which the arts and therapy relate, one is the arts “as” therapy, that is, simply by engaging with creative activities we express ourselves, have fun and feel better. MARCO Trust offers many programmes and classes in movement, art and rhythm with this focus. MARCO also offers the arts “in” therapy, that is, the use of the creative arts within psychotherapy, to assist in expression of feelings, an aid to insight, and a powerful means of discovering new ideas and trying out more productive behaviours. Arts therapists may work in one or several arts modalities and are able to utilise varied theoretical psychotherapy frameworks in which they feel comfortable to work including Humanistic, Gestalt, Cognitive Behaviourial Therapy, Psychodynamic, Systemic, and Integrative approaches. Highly trained professionals work at MARCO Trust offering group and individual sessions in a range of the creative arts therapies, for children, youth and adults.

How Creative Arts Therapy works

A vast amount of human experience is felt and expressed non-verbally, and finding ways to make meaning of it is often more complex than words alone can convey. Because the creative process works in a “non-linear” way, it accesses images, sensations, memories, and ideas that we would not arrive at through analytic thinking or the censoring mind. Creative Arts Therapy differs from the traditional arts in that the emphasis is on using the creative process rather than on the end product and differs from traditional talking therapies in that the client is doing and making rather than thinking and explaining. Words only describe what we already know, so by leaving talking until after the creative work is done, something new can happen.

In Creative Arts Therapy sometimes called Expressive Arts Therapy, it is our real life experiences that feed our art, and our art informs the real issues in our lives, and thus a flow or feedback system can be formed sometimes called the Life/Art process. It is important for clients and participants to be encouraged to suspend the judging, censoring aspect of the self and rather, to observe and make meaning from whatever they do or create during a session. We are interested in the here and now reality of authentic life experiences, rather than artistic form or technique.

During arts therapy the therapist and client/s develop a strong collaborative relationship, with clear boundaries and goals. An arts therapist who focuses on visual art forms may provide a client or group with materials such as drawing, painting, clay and collage to use to express their feelings. A therapist who specialises in movement may introduce activities to release tension and anxiety, to help learn new postures and body language, improve body awareness, and to increase awareness of the relationship between the body and emotions. A drama therapist can help a person try out new roles, new ways of being in relationship and to be more playful. A rhythm therapist works with instruments such as drums and percussion to explore how rhythm can be used for stress relief, for building self-confidence and for communication.

Many arts therapists work inter-modally, that is, they use a combination of the techniques described, as often the interplay of different modalities assists the process of change and growth. Therapists who work in several modalities are able to initially offer activities that client feels most comfortable with to establish safety and rapport in order to help to transition to modalities that are less familiar. Though most people are nervous and possibly shy about trying something new these are often the modalities that are most powerful to bring about change, as the censoring self is less able to interfere with authentic expression. Creative arts therapy is intuitive, spontaneous, and highly personalized. It allows for the greatest amount of creativity and self-expression within a structured and disciplined process.

Who can Benefit from Creative Arts Therapy?

Creative Arts therapy is suitable for all ages, and can be particularly helpful for those who may be experiencing life changes, trauma, relationship issues, lack of confidence, illness or disabilities causing distress for the individual and for their family. Arts therapy works by contributing to changes in the client's inner world, and towards the development of a client's more integrated sense of self, with increased self-awareness and acceptance. It can be very useful when it is difficult to find words to adequately express feelings, or when a person tends to over-verbalise, thus blocking the true emotional and authentic expression of feeling. It is in our art that we find expression for that which disturbs us and for that which we want to celebrate. As we learn how to work with the principles of creativity and the practice of the arts, we are able to apply what we learn to all aspects of our lives.

How do Creative Arts Therapies help?

• Increase the ability to identify and express feelings that are difficult to discuss or too complex for words alone.
• Stimulate imagination and creativity.
• Discover the power of playfulness and fun.
• Themes and patterns from our lives can be revealed to us.
• The symbols that we create can contain valuable information about our lives.
• When we create positive images through our art and/or enact new movement patterns or roles, we create new maps for ourselves.
• Develop healthy coping and self-care skills.
• Increase the ability to focus on inner experience and to enhance relaxation and ease.
• Increase self-esteem and confidence.
• Identify and clarify issues and concerns.
• Increase communication skills.
• A safe nurturing environment that encourages authentic self-expression.
• Development of self-awareness and confidence.
• Ability to identify blocks to emotional expression and personal growth.

To find out more about Creative Arts Therapy

There are numerous organisations around the world practising Creative Arts Therapy. We have listed a few websites of interest here.

ANZATA – The Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association
This is the professional association representing arts therapists in both Australia and New Zealand.
www.anzata.org

CTAA – Creative Therapies Association of Aotearoa
CTAA is an integrative umbrella organisation which includes creative therapists, community art workers and people interested in using creative media in education, rehabilitation, health, community health, counselling and psychotherapy.
www.ctaa.org.nz

Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design
This Auckland college offers a comprehensive two-year Masters degree – the Master of Arts in Arts Therapy.
www.whitecliffe.ac.nz

Arts Access Aotearoa
Arts Access Aotearoa Whakahauhau Katoa o Hanga is a national organisation that strives for an inclusive society where all people are able to participate in the arts, whatever their circumstances.
www.artsaccess.org.nz

The Tamalpa Institute
Tamalpa Institute, founded in 1978 by dance and expressive arts therapy pioneers Anna Halprin and Daria Halprin, is a non-profit organisation internationally recognized for its ground breaking training programs and workshops in a unique approach to movement based expressive arts education and therapy.
www.tamalpa.org

MARCO Trust - The Centre of Creativity for Well-being