Creative Arts and Expressive Therapies: Overview

Creative arts and expressive therapies include a broad range of therapeutic approaches based on the premise that internal conflicts, tensions, and problems can be manifested externally through artistic or bodily means or through exposure to environments or activities that are different from our usual daily routines. In the United States, creative arts therapies include those disciplines that are under the umbrella of the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations: art therapy, dance movement therapy, poetry therapy, psychodrama, drama therapy, and music therapy. Other expressive therapies in this section include adventure-based therapy, animal assisted therapy, bibliotherapy, chess therapy, EcoWellness, impact therapy, improvisational therapy, nature-guided therapy, wellness therapy, and writing therapy.