​

​ Expressive Arts Therapy
​



​Expressive arts therapy (ExA) is an integrative and interdisciplinary arts-based approach to counselling and psychotherapy. It emphasizes artistic experience as a tool for self-discovery and self-expression, for the integration of physical, mental, social and emotional well-being, and for building community. ExA is defined as the use of art, music, drama, dance/movement, poetry/creative writing, play and sand play within the context of psychotherapy, counselling, rehabilitation or medicine.

Expressive arts therapy can help people to:
  • Feel refreshed, joyful, and relaxed
  • Access the healing power of their imagination and creativity
  • Find resolution and new “tool-sets” to deal with and release painful emotions
  • Change their habitual thinking and behaviour
  • Increase their ability to live with complexity and gain new insights into the problems
  • Tap into their most resilient self

Who can benefit from expressive arts therapy?
Expressive arts therapy can be applied in a broad range of settings and to a variety of people and their challenges. Also, everyone can benefit from experiencing expressive arts therapy including individuals interested in personal growth, individuals with mental health issues, the elderly, children with developmental disorders and their parents, victims of abuse and those with terminal illnesses.  They all have the ability and the right to access new experiences through different modalities and mediums (art, music, writing, movement, drama, etc.) to break down emotional blockages. ExA therapists work in many different environments:  they may work in private practice with individuals and groups, in hospitals and agencies that focus on mental health, in shelters for women and children, in retirement homes, in hospice care and in schools.  ​

​
Services

 Counselling & Expressive Arts Therapy
Consulting / Supervising / Coaching
Therapist​

Ellen Yang  Ph.D. Candidate 
​RETA, RTC, MTC, RCS
Workshops

Emotional Fitness and Well-Being
​Professorial Development