Expressive Arts Therapy Essay
Before we can understand what expressive art therapy is, however, an understanding of terms, like
imagination and creativity, is necessary. There is a lack of consensus about how imagination and
creativity are defined and who is capable of it. In therapeutic contexts, the essence of imagination
is the substance of dreams. Dreams, however, are not just images. In dreams, sounds, rhythms,
acts, etc. can be perceived in a sensory or experiential way (Levine Levine, 2004). Creativitysprings
from imagination and is understood in terms of its qualities and characteristics: spontaneity,
playfulness, motivation, originality, self expression, inventiveness, divergent thinking, and
intuition. Creativity pushes limits, breaks down barriers, and... Show more content on
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Western traditions narrowly define art as a market oriented specialized discipline (Levine Levine,
2004). When art is used therapeutically, content and meaning take priority over mechanics and
technicalities.
Creativity and creative process figure prominently in the theories of both Freud and Jung. Freud
considers the source and motivation for creativity while Jung focuses on creative process.
According to Freud, creativity is rooted in conflicts. The creative process is a response to the need
to resolve conflicts. Freud includes daydreams and fantasies in the realm of creative works. They
are inner desires, frustrations, or discontent transformed into art, literature, or music. Jung also
believes human consciousness provides the content for art, literature and music. He identifies two
types of creative processes: psychological and visionary. The psychological mode originates out of
the collective unconscious and archetypes. Visionary creative processes are transcendental and
universal in both meaning and response. This visionary mode is limited to the gifted few being
capable of its expression (Malchiodi, 2007).
Almost every theoretical orientation has adapted the use and techniques of expressive arts therapy
in some way. Humanistic psychology, for example, emphasizes the importance of play, creativity,
and spontaneity. The creative process is intrinsic to self actualization. Self actualization makes life
more meaningful and enhances abilities,
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