Making the Intangible Tangible: Using Expressive Art During Termination to Co-Construct Meaning |
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| Authors: | Jessica A. Headley Melanie Kautzman-East Cassandra G. Pusateri Victoria E. Kress |
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| Affiliation: | 1. The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, USA;2. Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio, USA;3. Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
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| Abstract: | In this article, a creative termination activity grounded in relational-cultural theory is presented. In addition to providing a means for summarizing the counseling experience, this activity promotes relational development in the midst of client termination. Following implementation of the activity, the client and counselor are provided tangible, co-constructed gifts that are symbolic of the therapeutic relationship and relational growth. The authors provide a rationale for how this intervention promotes self-awareness, outline directions for implementation, and provide a case illustration to demonstrate how counselors can help promote relational closure and solidify clients’ therapeutic gains. |
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| Keywords: | termination creativity in counseling expressive arts relational-cultural theory |
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