Person-Centered Expressive Arts
The use of expressive arts in psychotherapy has evolved naturally as we come to understand the need to engage in activities that awaken and integrate all aspects of self--the body, mind, emotions and spirit. The Creative Connection® process, as developed by Natalie Rogers, interweaves the expressive arts--movement, art, sound, writing, psychodrama and guided imagery--to tap into the deep wellspring of creativity that is within each one of us.
Natalie Rogers explains her multi-modal approach to expressive arts in her book, The Creative Connection:
"The Creative Connection® process is the interplay between movement, art, writing, psychodrama and sound. For instance, moving with awareness opens us to profound feelings which can then be expressed in color, line or form. When we write immediately after the movement and art, a free flow emerges in the process. This self-exploration is like the unfolding of a lotus blossom. As we deepen our experience we discover our inner essence and our connection to all beings. The emphasis is on the process as well as the images. It is not about creating beautiful art or choreographed dance or publishable writing. The emphasis is on self-awareness leading to positive action."
To practitioners of Person-Centered Expressive Arts, the first priority is the creation of a safe space
in which you can be free to explore your feelings. Carl Rogers addressed this in his book, Toward a Theory of Creativity:
“When a teacher, parent, therapist or other facilitating person permits the individual a complete freedom of symbolic expression, creativity is fostered. This permissiveness
gives the individual complete freedom to think, to feel to be, whatever is most inward within himself.”
Such an environment is the hallmark of the Person-Centered Expressive Arts process.
In a group or private session you might move physically to express an emotion that is difficult to articulate verbally, or use art to clarify a situation that is confusing. Appropriate guided visualization might be followed by journaling or drawing. You might be invited to act out a past or current situation or to focus on sensations in your body as a guide to your emotions. The expressive modalities are used in tandem with each other, and the results are often exponential.
In the safe person-centered environment, your art is not judged or interpreted. Facilitators help you explore your personal understanding and meaning of your images or your dance/movement. If feedback is asked for, people are expected to own their personal projections. Person-Centered Expressive Arts is an inner journey to creativity and self-acceptance. It can also be a sacred and often mystical experience as pain, anger, fear, and grief are transformed, and the soul is nourished.