Expressive Arts FACILITATOR
"You are your own expert"
I call myself a creative re-framer, since this is the approach I take in my work as an Expressive Arts facilitator. I see it as my job to hold a safe frame for my clients to work within to look at it from a different angle and explore the various possibilities and solutions to the challenge they find themselves in. And all of this whilst using our innate power of creative expression.
My main focus is working with life's transitions. We all go through transitions, no matter which stage we are in life: child to teenager, teenager to adulthood. Leaving the nest, having a child leave the home. Loosing a job, starting a new job. Becoming a parent, the ending of a relationship, loosing a loved one, entering retirement. All these transitions are powerful experiences in which we can learn a lot about ourselves and develop our strengths, character. They close door to what was and will always open doors for what can be: new possibilities. There is constant change. Going through change can be incredibly confusing, frustrating and challenging. We can find ourselves rebel against the change, ignore it, become numb to it, feel helpless, angry or sad. These are all very natural responses, yet challenging, and sometimes a helping hand is necessary. That's where I come in. Working with me and the expressive arts, you will learn how to maneuver through these transitional changes in a way in which you will feel you have the reigns in your own hands and feel empowered. You will learn various techniques and tools which work for you to equip you for future challenges. And you will get a deeper understanding of yourself and your ways of being and your needs.
Intermodal Expressive Arts is process oriented. This means that the solutions you find are within in you and you will discover them through the process of simple art making, in which ever form that may take: visual arts, theatre, movement, dance, music, creative writing, poetry and nature-based art. This approach in non-intrusive, sees the client as their own expert of themselves and uses simple yet effective art making so that anyone can take part. No previous art making experience is needed.
The Expressive Arts
The Expressive Arts in a therapeutic context is predominantly a non-verbal and holistic approach putting emphasis on the creative process and the discovering the answers that are already within the client. It promotes emotional growth and healing. This intermodal approach uses our inborn desire to create. You will have a range of creative modalities to explore your inner landscape; music, theatre, poetry & creative writing, dance & movement or visual arts. The process of art making acts as a therapeutic tool to help initiate change. We are all our own experts and we all have the answers within us. During a session I create a safe space and frame for you to work ion using easily accessible arts based and nature-based activities.
Each art modality has its own therapeutic characteristic,:
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Visual arts —> dialogue with self
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Music —> rhythm and social engagement
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Theatre —> embodying the functions and roles we play
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Dance/Movement —> Communication through movement. Embodied learning.
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Creative writing/Journalling —> to bring out metaphors of our own inner experience
What an expressive arts session with me can look like
You decide what you want to focus on for the session
We go into the art making process
You reflect upon the process to discover strengths, resources and surprises. You reflect upon the work you have created, what is it saying'?
We look at how you can implement your discoveries into your everyday life. What can help you right now. We make a plan of action for the week ahead.