Expressive Arts Therapy Principles and Practices for Play Therapists

Workshop Description and Goals

This workshop will provide play therapists with an overview of the basic principles in expressive arts therapy. Play therapy falls under the umbrella of expressive arts, and as such, elements of it will be very familiar to play therapists. Play therapists in particular, often follow the child’s lead as he or she traverses many modalities including dynamic, pretend, or symbolic play; puppetry; sand; or art. In other words, children in play therapy, are by definition doing multi-modal work, moving from one form of expression to another. The expressive arts therapist prioritizes inter-modal work, which directs the child purposefully from one expressive activity to another, deepening the child’s engagement with expression. This can lead to reflection and insight.

Objectives: 

At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to

1.  Define the term expressive arts therapy
2. List three basic principles of expressive arts therapy
3. Name two substantial benefits of children being guided through intermodal work in the play therapy room
4. List two modalities that play therapists can use in their work with children
5. Define and describe “amplification questions” 
6. Describe two ways parents can be of assistance by utilizing expressive arts activities in the home.

Workshop Agenda:

1:00 PM – 2:15 Didactic presentation of an introduction to expressive arts therapy And basic principles

2:15 PM – 2:30 Break

2:30 PM – 4:00 Experiential Exercises and clinical discussions of material

4:00 PM -  5:15 Summary, discussion, and questions and answers

Total Time of Workshop:  4 hours

References

Estrella, K. (2021). Expressive arts therapy: A profession in a “wild zone,” The Arts in Psychotherapy, 82, pp. 

Orgera, A. (2024). "Embodied Integration: How Expressive Arts Therapy Supports Self-Regulation in Adults with Complex PTSD (A Literature Review)" Expressive Therapies Capst one Theses. 878. Boston, MA: Lesley University.

https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/878

Malchiodi, C. A. (2020). Trauma and expressive arts therapy: Brain, body & imagination in the healing process. NY: Guilford Press.

AJ Webb. (2023). Expressive Arts Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Reducing Stress and Improving Coping Skills. Authorea.  DOI: 10.22541/au.169184702.22245644/v1

General Course Information

Power point presentations and other handouts will be provided to each participant with resource information and supplemental reading material.

Eliana Gil, Ph.D., Founder and Clinical Director, Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, Fairfax, VA.  Phone:202-257-2783.  Email:  elianagil@me.com