What is Expressive Arts Therapy?

Expressive arts therapy is a holistic, intermodal therapeutic approach placing creativity at the heart of human experience. It is a generative and deeply human practice for facilitating change, rooted in the belief that every individual is inherently creative and capable of bringing something new into existence, regardless of artistic training (low skill, high sensitivity).

Photo credit: Jay Yang

Rather than interpreting artistic expressions through external psychological theories, expressive arts therapy focuses on engaging directly with the creative process as a means of understanding and transformation. By integrating poetry, music, visual arts, drama, movement, clay work, and nature-based practices, it engages the body and senses to foster presence, connection, and resilience through play, ritual, and art-making, providing a dynamic, nonverbal avenue for self-exploration, connection, and healing.

During the creative process, individuals can navigate personal challenges, process complex feelings, discover inner resources, and experience transformation in ways that words alone may not fully capture. This approach is especially valuable for refugee or migrant children, enabling them to adapt their inner resources to new contexts and reweave a sense of self in the face of change or adversity.