Kin(a)esthetic Paper Play: A Community Engagement Project Offering a Therapeutic Experience by Exploring an Emergent Method of Expressive Arts Therapy with Clinicians Who Studied Expressive Arts

For this community engagement project, I explored an emergent practice of Kin(a)esthetic Paper Play with expressive arts therapists. This practice aligns with Buddhist philosophy and practice in the West and its benefits can be explained through the theory of Embodied Simulation. The literature on Buddhism and Embodied Simulation highlights the positive benefits of abstract meditative processes done in groups. My goal was to explore the therapeutic elements of K(a)P within a community group setting. When elements of Kin(a)esthetic Paper Play were introduced to a group of alumni from Lesley’s Expressive Arts Therapy graduate program it was received well. I learned that the elements of creativity, interconnectedness, and attunement of the method that resonated with me were also important to the community members’ experiences. I was also able to refine the way I introduce and facilitate when exploring the method in order to be of most benefit. I believe Kin(a)esthetic Paper Play is a practice that could benefit many people who practice Expressive Arts Therapy