EXPRESSIVE THERAPIESHistory, Theory, and Practice 1 Expressive Therapies History, Theory, and Practice

observes that expressive therapies are those that introduce action to psy-chotherapy and that “action within therapy and life is rarely limited to a specific mode of expression ” (p. viii). While talk is still the traditional method of exchange in therapy and counseling, practitioners of expres-sive therapies know that people also have different expressive styles— one individual may be more visual, another more tactile, and so forth. When therapists are able to include these various expressive capacities in their work with clients, they can more fully enhance each person’s abili-ties to communicate effectively and authentically. This chapter introduces readers to the history and philosophy of ex-pressive therapies and their applications in treatment. While there are approximately 30,000 individuals throughout the United States formally trained at the graduate level in one or more of the expressive therapies, these modalities have also been embraced by practitioners in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, social work, counseling, and medicine over the last decade. Activities such as drawing, drumming, creative movement, and play permit individuals of all ages to express their thoughts and feel-ings in a manner that is different than strictly verbal means and have unique properties as interventions. Indeed, with the advent of brief 1 This is a chapter excerpt from Guilford Publications