Expressive Therapies

Expressive Therapies are the use of creative arts therapies to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals. Expressive Therapies are differentiated from other creative arts professions because the focus of the creative activity is not simply on the artistic product. The primary focus of the creative activity is to help a person reach a therapeutic goal. Expressive therapies are conducted by professional trained in fields such as art therapy, music therapy, or other creative arts therapies. Some common goals of expressive therapies include:

Coping with symptoms
Increasing hope
Managing emotions
Increasing positive self-image
Gaining insight
Self-expression
Reducing anxiety

Who can benefit from Expressive Therapies?

Expressive Therapies have been a successful treatment process for a wide range of people. No previous experience is needed in art or music to participate in expression therapies. Some situations where you may consider expressive therapies are the following: traditional “talk” therapies have not been a good fit for your needs, the “hands-on” approach of creative arts would be beneficial to your thinking process, or you have an interest in the use of creative outlets for addressing your needs.

Credentials of Expressive Therapy Staff

Expressive Therapy services are carried out by staff who have completed nationally recognized training standards in the fields of art therapy and music therapy. Art and music therapist have knowledge and mental health training on types of creative processes that can help a person reach their goals. Art therapy training includes a master’s degree in art therapy and national registration as an art therapist. In the field of music therapy a clinician may have either bachelor’s degree or masters’ in music therapy and national board certification as a music therapist. Some art therapist and music therapist also hold additional credentials in other mental health fields.

Expressive Therapy Services

Art Psychotherapy

Art therapy techniques are used to provide counseling and psychotherapy services. Creative arts interventions focus on the treatment of mental health concerns and gaining insight into one’s thoughts and feeling to respond through healthy strategies. Individual or group based art psychotherapy are available. Most private insurances and KanCare cover this service.

Art or Music Rehabilitation

These services are available to individuals that have KanCare and meet eligibility criteria for additional rehabilitation services. Eligibility is determined by a standard evaluation to assess criteria for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) or Psychiatric Rehabilitation Service eligible (PRE). Art therapy or music therapy are provided to help a person reach toward their treatment and recovery goals. This could include such things as developing coping strategies, learning about arts and music resources in the community, developing vocational skills in the arts, and empowering positive steps toward life goals. Individual meetings with an art therapist or music therapist are available as well as art and music psycho-social groups.

LOCATION

Valeo Behavioral Health Care

330 SW Oakley Avenue

South Entrance

CONTACT

For more information, call (785) 233-1730 between 8:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday-Friday