Expressive Therapies

Expressive therapies, also known as creative arts therapies, use creative activities to help one process and share feelings and memories. It can also help children learn important social-emotional, behavioral, and life skills. 

In an expressive therapy session, a trained therapist who understands your child’s unique conditions guides them through the process of expressing themselves through art. The therapist will design activities for each session that help your child grow and learn based on your child’s particular treatment plans and goals.

There are five primary types of expressive therapy: 

• Music therapy
• Art therapy
• Dance therapy
• Writing therapy
• Nutritional Development

Each type of expressive therapy focuses on helping children develop important social-emotional, behavioral, and physical skills. 

Art therapy involves the use of a wide range of creative techniques to allow an individual to express themselves artistically. Art therapy can be used to help treat a variety of different conditions and help people process a range of different experiences. 

Art therapy can help children and adults deal with negative situations, disabilities, and trauma. It can also be used to assist with social-emotional development, physical development, and learning important executive functions. 

Music therapy is an evidence-based expressive therapy method that can be used to help with a wide range of conditions, such as Autism, ADHD/ADD, depression, and even cardiac conditions. One doesn’t need a music background to participate and benefit from music therapy. 

Music therapy sessions can involve listening, singing, playing instruments, and composing music. It can be used to accomplish a variety of health and educational goals, such as: 

• Expressing feelings
• Enhancing memory
• Improving communication
• Developing fine motor skills
• Developing hand-eye coordination
• Manage stress
• Promote overall wellness

Music therapy is used to help with specific conditions, such as: 

• Behavior disorders
• Mood and anxiety disorders
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
• Substance abuse disorders
• Trauma

Medical nutritional therapy (MNT) is an evidence-based process based on decades of medical research on the connection between nutrition, diet, and health. 

MNT is not the same as nutrition education. Nutrition education is about learning basic, general nutrition principles. MNT, on the other hand, is about providing individuals with specific instructions and feedback on how to use their daily diet to support their medical condition. 

MNT is about supporting and addressing one’s medical condition and also working to lower the risk of complications. In children, MNT is also about ensuring that the child’s diet works to promote their overall growth and development. 

Nutritional therapy is traditionally implemented by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with the guidance of one’s doctor. 

If your child has neurodiversity, expressive therapies can be an important component of their overall care plan. 

If your child qualifies for HCBS services, expressive therapies can be a part of your child’s care plan.  Learn more about HCBS services by calling Award Behavioral Health at (800) 249-9569 or contacting us online.