Expressive Arts

“Wow! this is more than I expected!” “Unusual and powerful!”

‘Surprising”

Sometimes language and words are not enough. Sometimes finding words is difficult. Young people in particular do not always have the articulation and understanding that is required to communicate their feelings and thoughts. Words in themselves can be limiting in the expression of feelings.

Life and art are connected in many metaphorical ways and levels. Expressive Arts invites us to explore ourselves and our senses in art-making. In a strong verbal world, the arts offer a wealth of non-verbal intelligence, helping to strengthen our creative power and deepen our relationship with life. The arts stimulate the brain neural-pathways in new ways of thinking, broadening new perspectives and insight.

In the doing of Expressive Arts, we can build on our inner wisdom and resilience. The action of doing could be an act of moving from being stuck.

You are not your brain, your brain functions on memories, social beliefs and habits. Once the connections are found, you can make changes.

Technical experience in art modalities is not necessary as the goal is to “ express” an emotion, self or situation. It is not to create an art piece, however, it is a way to shape an image for a new perspective. The client requires no formal art training. Expressive Arts are different than traditional talk therapy, in that it allows for process/goals to transpire in a non-verbal way.

In a session, the arts and psycho-education are used to assist the client. Elke uses a client-focused and solution-focused therapy approach. The arts by the maker, allow those feelings to be expressed and witnessed as they are being experienced by the maker.

How can you change what you do not know?

Discoveries are made in the exploration and perspectives are unique and meaningful to the maker.

Benefits:

  • Problems seem to lessen.

  • Concerns and issues seem to find an easier resolution.

  • Life becomes quieter and more focused.

  • Greater enthusiasm for life develops.

  • Concentration and the ability to focus increase.

  • Enhanced understanding and empathy for oneself, others, and our environment develop.

  • Confidence and enthusiasm for learning increase.

  • Higher self-esteem and happiness are expressed.

  • Increased hope and confidence in our future with a global view emerge. (networking and socializing)

Participants can work on an issue, focus on creative play and/or stress relief. The focus could be artistic, emotional, sensory and /or aesthetic. The focus is totally dependent on the goal of the participant, the group and the workshop.

Expressive Arts helps children explore their world using their senses. Sessions vary according to your child’s needs and preferences, and include:

  • unique musical instruments from across the globe

  • interior sand-box play with miniature fantasy and life-like figurines

  • live animals, visits to the local petting farm and animal shelter

  • clay, quality paint, brushes and pastels

  • puppets and toys

  • dress up and games

  • connection with nature

The individual sessions are designed to encourage your child to freely share his/her stories with Elke, in their way, without being confined by the boundaries of language. It is a way to explore feelings that might be blocked otherwise. All sessions are confidential.

Expressive Arts can help your child with:

  • finding a way to communicate painful and difficult issues

  • feeling more settled after a major transition

  • healing and self-esteem

  • a generally improved mood

  • finding new hope in their situation

  • easier access to their feelings

  • self-awareness and confidence

  • feeling less frustrated

  • learning to release anger in an appropriate and healthy way

“Painting is my favourite – because we were painting our feelings. I’m not crying as much anymore.” ~girl age 7

“The thing I discovered about myself is that I don’t have to be afraid to tell people how I feel.” ~girl age 14

You likely have bad memories that you are at peace with, that is an example of how the brain is working as it should. Sometimes memories get stuck in the information processing system of the brain, along with pictures, sounds, smells, tastes, emotions and body sensations, which were all part of the original experience. When memories are stuck, this is where EMDR, “desensitizes and reprocesses” the memory, helping your brain reprocess the memory, to a point of remembering the event that it no longer bothers you and you have peace with it.

Science does not know exactly what happens in the brain during EMDR, we think it might be similar to the dream stage of sleep, your REM state. EMDR may be a kind of accelerated, conscious version of REM sleep.

During an EMDR session, you think of an issue or traumatic memory and we do a number of bi-lateral sets. Like a metaphor of watching a movie or sitting in a train watching the scene go by. All you have to do is notice and let it go by. Your brain is going to take you where you need to go. You need to know that you might experience intense emotions, both during EMDR sessions and perhaps between sessions. This can be difficult and tiring emotional work. You may need to really take extra gentle care of yourself in this work.

Privacy

Elke Scholz, MA, RP, REACE, Certified EMDR Therapist – in Canada and USA, respects and understands people’s right to privacy and confidentiality. Information can not be given out without informed consent. Please feel free to discuss our confidentiality process and procedures. We have a legal and professional obligation to report to the appropriate authorities only in cases where individuals are at risk to themselves or others, where there is a suspicion of child abuse, or as requested by court order.

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