Using Artist Trading Cards as an Expressive Arts Intervention in Counseling

Artist trading cards (ATCs) are miniature works of art that are created within the dimensions of standardized trading cards or playing cards (2.5 inches × 3.5 inches). ATCs can be made with a variety of media—everything from pen and ink to oil paints, collages, mosaics, stamping, and altered photos. Using this compact art format as an expressive arts intervention in the therapeutic environment provides the counselor with most, if not all, of the same therapeutic benefits of larger art media (e.g., expressive release, creativity, artistic communication, symbolic self-expression, self-exploration, etc.). The unique benefit of the ATC format is that ATCs allow for traditional expressive arts interventions to be “better, faster, and cheaper” in many ways.     

A content analysis of person‐centered expressive therapy outcomes

Abstract

This study is a content analysis and follow‐up of thirty‐two former participants in multi‐modal expressive therapy training workshops conducted by the Person‐Centered Expressive Therapy Institute. The theoretical foundation of the study is based on Carl Rogers’ concept of the “significant learning” and Natalie Rogers’ concept of the “creative connection.” The expressive therapy applies core conditions of acceptance, empathic understanding, and congruence in a learning setting that uses writing, visual arts, drama, music and dance. Narratives of significant incidents were analyzed phenomenologically. Results revealed important learnings and shifts of self‐perceptions towards greater self‐awareness, improved self‐confidence, risk‐taking, deeper self‐exploration and appreciation for the process involved in the creative act. This qualitative study shows expressive therapy as making an important contribution to person‐centered theory and practice.     

Individual differences in athletes' perception of expressive body movements

ObjectivesUnderstanding others' actions depends on the observer's individual characteristics and sensorimotor experience. Motor performance domains, such as sports and the performing arts, provide optimal situations to investigate the determinants of action perception. We investigated athletes' perceptual identification of expression intensity in body movements.DesignA within-subjects design was used.MethodParticipants watched point-light displays (1000 ms long) depicting expressive and inexpressive dance movements. The task was to identify the dancer's intended expression intensity.ResultsThe results indicate that expressive body movements can be reliably identified, with judgement accuracy correlating with self-report empathy indices, intuitive/deliberate decision-making preferences, and indices of sports training. Only years of sports training could predict perceptual identification accuracy.ConclusionsWe discuss the findings in relation to motor and cognitive–emotional contributions to action simulation. The potential of cross-domain transfer of motor expertise for boosting perceptual judgements and a hierarchical role of factors eliciting action simulation are also outlined.     

Utilizing a Music Listening Technique in Inpatient Psychiatric Group Counseling

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to describe and illustrate through a hypothetical case example how counselors can utilize an expressive arts technique called music listening in inpatient psychiatric group counseling. The authors give a rationale to implement here-and-now interventions, specifically music listening, in response to the critique of current inpatient therapy in psychiatric hospitals following a shift from long-term inpatient psychiatric care to brief stabilization admissions.     

Play in Supervision

Abstract

Clinical supervision is a fundamental component of counselor education training. Counselor Educators play an active and dynamic role in helping beginning practicum students conceptualize their work with clients. The use of expressive arts in counseling has been shown to be effective in creating a deeper level and meaning to counselor and client interactions. This article describes the use of a particular expressive art technique, a sandtray, based on Sandplay Therapy, with students enrolled in beginning practicum. Additionally, results from a pilot study comparing ratings of traditional supervision and ratings of sandtray supervision with students enrolled in a beginning practicum experience are provided. Results of the pilot study indicated some preliminary support for the viability of the application comparing ratings of traditional supervision sessions with ratings of supervision using sandtray.     

A randomized controlled trial of expressive writing in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema

Objective: Breast cancer survivors who develop lymphedema report poorer quality of life (QoL) than those without lymphedema. Expressive writing is a potential intervention to address QoL.

Design: Adult women (N = 107) with breast cancer and chronic Stage II lymphedema were randomised to writing about thoughts and feelings specific to lymphedema and its treatment (intervention) or about daily activities (control) for four, 20-min sessions.

Main Outcome Measures: Outcome measures were several indicators of QoL assessed at baseline, one, three, and six months post-intervention (total scores and subscales of Upper Limb Lymphedema 27 and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast). Hypothesised moderators of change in QoL were dispositional optimism, avoidant behaviours, and time since lymphedema diagnosis.

Results: There was no statistically significant intent-to-treat main effects of expressive writing on QoL. Statistically significant moderating effects on change in different indicators of QoL were observed for all three moderators. Expressive writing was more effective for improving QoL in women who were higher on optimism, lower on avoidance and had less time since a lymphedema diagnosis.

Conclusion: These results provide further evidence that there are subsets of individuals for whom expressive writing is more effective. Future research may investigate targeting expressive writing based on identified moderators.     

Changes in patterns of Early Mother-Child Interaction: A longitudinal study of the first 18 months of life

ObjectiveThe main objective of the present longitudinal study is to describe the progression of early adult-child interactions between the first and second years of life. Changes identified in interactions are described, focusing on both the qualitative aspects of maternal responses, as well as maternal response latency to the child's behavior using a microanalytical methodology that collected data on maternal and child behavior in real-time without losing sight of the temporal dimension.ParticipantsThis study examined 52 mother-child dyads from intact families that presented no psychological, social, or biological risk factors at 6, 12 and 18 months of age.InstrumentCITMI-R (early mother-child interaction coding system, revised edition) was used to assess early mother-infant interactions during free play sessions between mother and child the.ResultsThe results indicate that some components of maternal sensitivity improve as children progress towards the second year of life, detecting an increase in sensitive maternal behavior and a decrease in intrusive behavior in the evolutive observed period; moreover, regarding latency of maternal response, we observed that mothers of older children give more time for their children to explore, which stimulates autonomy. Finally, the implication of these results for intervention directed to optimizing early adult-child interactions are addressed.     

The EMDR integrative group treatment protocol: EMDR group treatment for early intervention following critical incidents

IntroductionThis paper presents an overview of the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (EMDR-IGTP) that has been used since 1998 with both children and adults in its original format or with adaptations to meet the circumstances in numerous settings around the world for thousands of survivors of natural or man-made disasters and during ongoing geopolitical crisis.MethodThe author's intention is to highlight and enlightened the reader of the existence of this protocol that combines the eight standard EMDR treatment phases with a group therapy model and an art therapy format and use the Butterfly Hug as a form of a self-administered bilateral stimulation, thus providing more extensive reach than the individual EMDR application.ConclusionRandomize Controlled Trial Research is suggested to establish the efficacy of this intervention.     

Role of event centrality and emotion regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among internally displaced persons

Background: Event centrality and emotion regulation in relation to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been documented in various global samples especially in Western cultures; but internally displaced persons (IDPs) still constitute an underrepresented population in psychotraumatology literature. This study tested the roles of event centrality and emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) in PTSD symptoms among IDPs in Nigeria.

Design: The multi-group cross-sectional design was adopted.

Methods: Tiv language versions of the Centrality of Events Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire were completed by 859 IDPs in two camps located in Benue State, North-central region of Nigeria.

Results: Hierarchical multiple linear regression results indicated that event centrality positively predicted PTSD symptoms. Cognitive reappraisal was a negative predictor of PTSD symptoms while expressive suppression was a positive predictor of PTSD symptoms. Bonferroni corrections indicated that expressive suppression was the strongest predictor of total PTSD symptoms, avoidance/numbing symptoms, and hyper-arousal symptoms; but event centrality was the most robust predictor of PTSD intrusion/re-experiencing symptoms.

Conclusion: The findings underscore recent developments in psychotraumatology indicating that the extent to which individual differences impact the development of PTSD is essential in clinical psychology research and practice.     

Dramatology in life,disorder, and psychoanalytic therapy: A further contribution to interpersonal psychoanalysis

Abstract

Action and interaction, and emotion and thought as the inner wellsprings of action, play a central role in the lives of individuals, families, and society, spanning the continuum between everyday life and disorder. Until now, the narrative tradition has been the main methodology for portraying and formulating human action and interaction, and little has been written about the dramatic approach to life, disorder, and therapy. Since the essence of drama is action, dialogue, character, and emotion, it is time to give drama its due. The author proposes a methodological concept – dramatology – analogous to narratology, to highlight the dramatic method of investigating action and interaction in life, disorder, and therapy. Breuer and Freud presented both aspects of dramatology: dramatization in dream and fantasy, and dramatization in act, focusing on the person. This approach was elaborated by psychoanalysts with an interpersonal orientation, focusing on the person and speech as action. Dramatology is applied to exploring ongoing patient–therapist interactions as reality and as transference. Analyzing unconscious and latent dramatization in dream, fantasy, and enactment with free association is enhanced by utilizing clarification and confrontation, focusing on the manifest and mutually observable expressive form and style of actions and enactments, defenses and resistances, and the discharge and meaning of emotions. Dramatology puts forward a new paradigm for psychiatry, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis.     

Inclusion of Alternative and Complementary Therapies in CACREP Training Programs

Abstract

Given a heightened focus within the mental health profession on creative, complementary, and alternative practices, the authors surveyed CACREP programs with respect to their inclusion of such approaches in counselor training. For the purpose of this study, these approaches were designated as complementary and alternative methods (CAM) and defined as those therapeutic practices that fall outside of the established traditional realm of medical, psychiatric, and psychological practice (hypnotherapy, breath work, meditation, Qigong, Reiki, Thought Field Therapy, etc.). Sixty-two programs responded. Over half (54%) stated that they currently include these approaches in course offerings. This article includes a discussion of creativity, expressive arts, and energy psychology as they relate to complementary and alternative therapies in mental health and medicine.     

Athletes' experiences of expressive writing about sports stressors

ObjectivesThis study explored athletes' experiences of expressive writing about competitive sport stressors using standard expressive writing and reversal theory framed writing (Apter, 2001).DesignThe study employed a qualitative approach including narrative analysis of expressive writing and semi-structured interviews with athletes.MethodSixteen athletes were randomly allocated to a standard expressive writing or a reversal theory framed writing group. Both groups completed expressive writing about a stressor using standardised instructions. The reversal theory writing group were instructed on reversal theory states and imagery use to recreate them which they employed to write from different state perspectives in four subsequent sessions. Standard writing group participants completed four sessions following usual expressive writing instructions. Both groups completed a final session following these instructions and were interviewed about expressive writing and their perceptions of the stressor.ResultsKey outcomes were: re-evaluation and perspective changes, self development, stressor confrontation, problem solving, emotion management and, future uses of expressive writing.ConclusionsExpressive writing may be a technique that is useful for some athletes and recommendations for its application are made.     

Fractured Stories: Self-Experiences of Third Culture Kids

ABSTRACT

The term Third Culture Kid (TCK) was first coined by researchers John and Ruth Useem in the 1950s. These children spend a substantial part of their childhood in countries that differ from their passport country, often for their parent’s work. Because TCKs move from culture to culture prior to having the opportunity to fully develop their personal and cultural identity, they may have additional problems relating to peers within their own ethnic groups. For children who return to the United States after living abroad, they may need to ‘catch up’ as they are at a loss around certain culture references. While they speak the same language as their peers, they had such varied childhoods that there is often a lack of shared memories and reference points that they can use to relate. This paper will explore the additional stress that can occur for TCKs throughout their childhood and adolescence, and how expressive arts therapy can assist them in creating a more cohesive self–narrative. Using play, art and imagination, three case studies of TCK’s will be examined, understanding that children who maintain a capacity for play and creativity can often “play through” life challenges.     

Creativity and cognition some implications for arts education

Abstract:

This study explored the relationships between creativity and cognitive skills, and the implications for arts education. The primary hypotheses were (a) that the creative arts career orientation is a valid personality construct, correlating with multiple domains of creative behavior; (b) that this orientation would be correlated with certain cognitive skills, including logical, divergent, and creative thinking; and (c) that these skills are themselves correlated with creative behaviors. Sixty‐five high school seniors were given the ACT Interest Inventory, several tests of logical, insightful, divergent, and creative thinking, and a modified version of the Creative Behavior Inventory. Results included significant correlations of the arts orientation with five domains of creative behawior and three cognitive skills. However, these skills were only correlated with two domains of creative behavior (literature and art). Discussion centered on fundamental implications for methods of arts education.     

A Model Psychosocial Support Training and Workshop during a Medical Mission for Syrian Refugee Children in Jordan: Techniques,Lessons Learned and Recommendations

ABSTRACT

This article describes a model training and workshop for volunteers that was implemented with child refugees in Jordan, to build empowerment, resilience, and connection with others. The importance of such services for this population is emphasized. The present model, with elements of arts activities and play similar to those used in the Child Friendly Spaces, is based on my extensive experience working with diverse populations under various conditions of crisis, natural disaster, and infectious diseases, mainly in low resource settings. I review activities from my toolbox, their purpose, methods, and processing. The clinical value of such psychosocial support is presented, as has been shown by pilot research in several settings, despite limitations of conducting empirical assessments, which are discussed. Lessons learned and recommended are given. The intervention for refugee children is presented in the context of international policy agreements that provide an important foundation for such projects that clinicians and researchers can use to support their work for this population and others, in efforts to heal children from the traumas of refugeeism and other similar extreme stresses.     

An innovative group experience for couples expecting their first child

Abstract

This paper presents a pilot project that was developed to work with small groups of couples in which the women were pregnant with their first child. The primary purpose was to stimulate couples to become aware of their communications and support systems as the necessary building blocks for healthy family emotional development. Pregnancy can be seen as a transitional period leading to another life stage in the growth of an individual. The format, topics, evaluation and summary are presented with the hope that other mental health professionals will be motivated to develop similar groups.     

Short expressive language evaluation by French teachers during children's fourth year (SELEFT4)

IntroductionIn France, most children aged 3 to 4 years old attend preschool but tools to measure their language are missing.ObjectiveOur aim was to built a tool for teachers to evaluate children's expressive language during the fourth year of life: the SELEFT4.MethodIt comprises a total of 65 items presented in four sections: vocabulary, grammar, pragmatics and intelligibility. Data were obtained from 303 children during the fourth year.ResultsResults showed that at this age, expressive language intelligibility plays a major role. We provided also norms by trimester of age.ConclusionResults are discussed in relation to other studies and tools assessing language development at this age. SELEFT4 appears to be a simple and reliable tool for teachers.     

Preliminary Development of Trauma-Focused Treatment Groups for Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders

Summary

Most male juvenile offenders have been exposed to trauma. Many juvenile offenders have experienced both acute and chronic trauma. Trauma exposure among offenders is closely linked to their criminal behavior, yet few protocols have been developed to treat posttraumatic sequelae in a delinquent population. This article describes initial efforts to develop group therapy services for incarcerated male juvenile offenders who have histories of significant trauma exposure and current symptoms of PTSD. Four separate pilot groups were conducted in two Massachusetts Department of Youth Service secure residential facilities. The treatment included trauma psychoeducation (including the relationship between trauma and offending), therapeutic trauma exposure through discussion and expressive arts, and coping skill development. The treatment development and initial implementation as well as directions for future research are discussed.     

Health behaviour change theory meets falls prevention: Feasibility of a habit-based balance and strength exercise intervention for older adults

ObjectivesHabit formation is a proposed mechanism for behaviour maintenance. Very few falls prevention studies have adopted this as an intervention framework and outcome. Therefore, we tested feasibility of a theory-based behaviour change intervention that encouraged women to embed balance and strength exercises into daily life routines (e.g., eating, self-care routines).DesignThe EASY LiFE study was a mixed-methods, 4-month feasibility intervention that included seven group-based sessions and two telephone calls.Main outcome measuresWe obtained performance-based (i.e., Short-Physical-Performance-Battery) and psychological self-report measures (i.e., intention, self-efficacy, planning, action control, habit strength, quality of life) from 13 women at baseline (T1) and 4-month follow-up (T2). We applied the Framework-Method to post-intervention, semi-structured interviews to evaluate program content and delivery.ResultsIn total, 10 of 13 women completed the program (M_age = 66.23, SD = 3.98) and showed changes in their level of action control [mean difference_T1−T2 = 1.7, 95% CI (−2.2 to −0.8)], action planning [mean difference_T1−T2 = 0.8, 95% CI (−1.1 to −0.2)], automaticity [mean difference_T1−T2 = 2.5, 95% CI (−3.7 to −1.2)], and exercise identity [mean difference_T1−T2 = 2.0, 95% CI (−3.2 to −0.8)]. Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework we identified knowledge, behavioural regulation, and social factors as important themes. For program delivery, dominant themes were engagement, session facilitators and group format.ConclusionThe theory-based framework showed feasibility for promoting lifestyle integrated balance and strength exercise habits. Using activity and object-based cues may be particularly effective in generating action and automaticity.