Expressive Arts Therapy
Expressive Arts is a therapeutic approach inviting Clients to engage in a creative process in which one or more expressive modalities lead to deepening insight and transformation. For example, you can pair your drawing with a meaningful song, or write a poem about a photograph. Therapist and Client choose creative modalities including, visual art, music, writing, movement, sandtray or play/drama, to change patterns and develop resiliency. Expressive Arts Therapy is often combined with psychodynamic approaches as well Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Practices.
What is a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT®)?
A Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT®) is a highly trained professional who blends multiple forms of creativity—such as art, music, movement, drama, and writing—into the therapeutic process. This approach supports healing and growth for individuals and groups working through life’s challenges, stressors, or mental health concerns.
Expressive Arts Therapy invites imagination, play, and the wisdom of the body into the healing process. By engaging the senses and different areas of the brain, clients can access their natural capacity to express, explore, and heal in ways that feel authentic and meaningful to them.
A REAT® uses an interdisciplinary and integrative approach, drawing from various art forms to create a deeply personalized therapeutic experience. This credential, awarded by the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association® (IEATA®), signifies that the therapist has completed extensive training, education, and supervised clinical experience. Clients can feel confident knowing they’re receiving care that is creative, evidence-based, and grounded in professional standards of excellence.