The Practical Experience and Results of ‘Expressive Arts Therapy’

Overview

As students nowadays are facing various pressures, it is time to consider alternative ways of psychotherapy, on top of traditional counselling. Expressive arts therapy combines verbal and non-verbal forms of expression and integrates different art forms to allow students to express their emotions, explore their inner world, and enhance self-esteem. As much as an extra option, expressive arts therapy can also be used to achieve synergy across different working groups in school.

The resident expressive arts therapist has worked with the school counselling team for about two years. The referral process starts with school teachers, who initially discover and observe students' needs, then consult with the expressive arts therapist and refer the cases. Subsequently, the expressive arts therapist will provide treatment and services based on the student's situation and needs. Through expressive arts and the guidance of therapists, students can release and alleviate their emotions, strengthen their resilience to stress, and learn to be aware of their own emotions.　

Participants of this seminar will understand:
1. how to collaborate with school-based expressive arts therapists;
2. in addition to traditional counselling methods, the effectiveness of expressive arts therapy services for SEN students and those with emotional needs; and
3. experience on individual cases shared by expressive arts therapist. There will also be an experiential section, where fellow school workers can have a taste of expressive arts.