A trained therapist guides you through the process of expressing yourself through art during an expressive therapy session. The activities are usually mixed, but sometimes therapists focus on just one. If you are new to therapy, you might benefit from writing or keeping a journal. You might find that dancing or drama are more interesting to you if you have been in therapy for some time. Expressive therapy can be used alone or along with talk therapy.

Conditions It May Treat

A child or adult may benefit from expressive therapy if they have different types of mental health concerns, such as:

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Autism and other developmental conditions
• Eating disorders
• High stress levels
• Traumatic brain injury
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Ongoing medical conditions
• Types

There are four main types of expressive therapy:

• Music therapy. Music therapy involves playing, singing, listening, or moving to music. Studies have shown that it can relieve anxiety. Studies have also shown that it has mood-lifting effects.

• Art therapy. You use painting, drawing, sculpting, or another art form to process or express your emotions. Women with cancer found that art therapy helped them focus on the more positive aspects of their lives. In addition, it gave them a greater sense of self-confidence.

• Dance therapy. Various forms of dance can help relieve stress and anxiety. Physical health can also be improved. In one study, dance helped breast cancer survivors move better.

• Writing therapy. You can practice this form of therapy by keeping a journal or writing poetry. Several studies have found that it can help those with painful medical conditions, like fibromyalgia, deal with stress and depression.