Learn How to Use Expressive Therapies
Therapy is a very broad term which refers to an intervention designed to treat a disease or disorder. Most people are familiar with terms such as counselling, physiotherapy and psychotherapy, however there are other forms of therapy which can be beneficial to different people.
Whilst due to their relative newness they may not have been exposed to the same rigorous research as evidence-based therapies, these alternatives have shown good results with adults and children with a range of problems. Amongst these other therapies are a group of therapies known as creative or expressive therapies such as drama therapy, music therapy, art therapy and dance therapy.
Some specific problems addressed by expressive therapies include:
Drama therapy - (children) behavioural problems
Music therapy – (adults) terminal illnesses, cancer, depression, dementia, (children) autism spectrum disorder
Art therapy - mental illness, depression, breast cancer
Dance-movement therapy (DMT) - cancer, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, stress and fatigue, eating disorders
Study this course to learn how to guide clients to express themselves and communicate via a range of creative activities. Discover how these therapies can encourage clients to learn more about themselves and use this as a basis for change.
COURSE CONTENT
Eight lessons:
Lesson 1. Scope and Nature of Creative Therapy and Counselling Skills I
- What are creative therapies
- Who can benefit
- Take caution with some patients
- Benefits
- Scientific evidence
- Preparing for creative therapy
- Counselling & active listening
- Giving instructions
- Different learning styles
- Planning for choice
- Options for response
- Open ended tasks
- Improving creativity
- Health and safety
- Insurance
- Selling your craft
- After creative therapy
Lesson 2. Art Therapy and Counselling Skills II
- Counselling skills – SOLER
- What is art therapy
- What clients benefit from art therapy
- Scientific evidence
- Art therapy techniques
- Art therapy with children
- Stories
- Playdough
- Candle making
- Therapeutic photography
- Colouring books
- Painting by numbers
- Doodling
Lesson 3. Crafts Therapy Part 1 – Fibre and Paper Crafts
- What is craft therapy?
- How it works
- Knitting
- Ceramics
- Quilting
- Embroidery
- Decoupage
- Sewing
- Crochet
- Macrame
- Origami
- Scientific evidence and historical anecdotes
- Therapeutic benefits
Lesson 4. Crafts Therapy Part 2 – Model Making and Building Crafts
- Introduction
- Skills needed for model making
- Model building
- Wood working
- Interior design
- Light, space, texture, colour, line, form
- Furniture and objects
- Sculpting
- Building renovation
- Building blocks
- Benefits of model making and building crafts.
- Risks
- Working with individuals
- Finding the individual’s creativity
- Exploring
- Using technology
- Cultivate expertise
- The reward
Lesson 5. Singing Therapy and Music Therapy
- What is singing therapy
- Therapeutic benefits and scientific evidence
- What is music therapy
- Active music therapy
- Receptive music therapy
- How does music therapy work?
- Silence
- Dementia and music therapy
- Singing for the brain
- Working with groups
- Dealing with upset
- Organising sessions
Lesson 6. Psychotherapeutic Writing
- What is writing therapy?
- Hiding the pain
- Therapeutic benefits
- Self knowledge
- Balancing emotions
- Improving discipline
- Difficulties
- Examples of writing therapy
- How it works
- Psychotherapeutic exercise
- Writing a letter
- Word walls
- Be positive
Lesson 7. Psychodrama, Dance and Movement Therapy
- Non-verbal communication
- Body language
- Kinesics
- Haptics
- Proxemics
- Occulesics
- Psychodrama and Drama therapy
- What is drama therapy?
- Aims of drama therapy
- Working with different groups
- Therapeutic benefits and scientific evidence
- Projective play
- Acting out
- Reunion
- Puppetry
- Dance and movement therapy
- Scientific research on DMT
- How DMT sessions work
- DMT and regulating emotions
- Psychodrama
- Action methods
- Psychodrama sessions
- Uses for psychodrama
- Psychodrama and children
Lesson 8. Reminiscence Therapy
- What is reminiscence therapy
- Individuals who benefit from reminiscence work
- Neurocognitive deficits
- Delirium
- Neurocognitive disorders
- How does reminiscence therapy work?
- Therapeutic benefits and scientific evidence
- Reminiscence work tips
- Reminiscence work and other therapies
Learn much more about the Nature and Scope of Creative Therapies
Creative therapies are a range of techniques that are creative and expressive in nature which aim to help clients find ways to express themselves that are beyond words - which are relied upon in traditional therapies. Creative therapies are as limitless as the human imagination.
The aim is to find relief from issues which are impacting upon a person’s wellbeing by helping them to overcome negative thoughts and emotions. The therapist encourages the client or patient to express themselves in more positive ways. At first, the client may focus on their negative emotions, but over time, it is hoped that more positive emotions may be expressed.
Creative therapies are used to encourage a person to express themselves in ways that they may find easier, rather than typical channels of expression. Doing so can also enable personal growth which can transfer to other aspects of the individual’s life.
Who is this Course For?
You don’t have to be a skilled artist, musician, writer, or whatever else to provide creative therapies to your clients, but you do need an understanding of what therapy is to guide the client through the process.
This course is aimed at different types of therapists who may wish to add another string to their bow, for people working in health care, or for those who wish to get involved in providing therapy.
Some of the areas where this course could be of value include - counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, childcare, youth work, aged care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, alternative therapies, teaching.
