What is the Difference Between Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy?
藝術治療和表達性藝術治療有什麼差別？
Your artwork talks!
這是一個非常重要也常被混淆的問題。藝術治療（Art Therapy）與表達性藝術治療（Expressive Arts Therapy）看起來相似，但其實在理論背景、方法整合、訓練模式與實務應用上都有一些關鍵差異。
一、藝術治療（Art Therapy）是什麼？
定義：
藝術治療是一種心理治療方法，以 “視覺藝術創作”作為主要媒介，協助個案表達情緒、探索內在、處理心理困擾。
重點特徵：
• 以視覺藝術為主體（通常是單一媒介）
• 創作的「作品」常被視為個案心理的反映（symbolism）
• 常搭配心理治療技術進行「藝術作品分析」與情感探討
• 強調藝術創作的心理投射與診斷意義
二、表達性藝術治療（Expressive Arts Therapy）是什麼？
定義：
表達性藝術治療是一種跨領域的藝術療癒方法，整合多種藝術形式（如視覺藝術視覺藝術創作、繪畫、雕塑、拼貼等、音樂、舞動、戲劇、詩歌、寫作等），讓個案以”創作歷程”為中心，從中觸碰感受、轉化困境、重建連結。
重點特徵：
• 跨媒介：自由在繪畫、聲音、動作、寫作等藝術間流動（intermodal）
• 歷程導向：強調「做的過程」比「作品結果」更重要
• 感官整合與身心對話：例如畫完後用聲音「唱出顏色」或用動作「走進作品」
• 鼓勵創造性、自我探索與表達，而非診斷
三、舉例說明：
假設孩子畫了一幅充滿藍色渦流的畫：
• 藝術治療師 可能會說：「這個渦流讓我想到焦慮或混亂，你覺得你最近的生活有沒有什麼讓你覺得失控的地方？」→ 從心理象徵切入分析。
• 表達性藝術治療師 可能會說：「你想用聲音表示這幅畫上的藍色? 你想用甚麼動作來表現這幅藍色畫？凝視這幅畫一小時間，你有感覺身體想要與畫互動嗎? 藍色說了甚麼? 那些白色與顫抖的漣漪要對她說甚麼? 我們一起試著進入它的世界。」→ 鼓勵用多感官探索與轉化。
四、總結：
藝術治療強調視覺作品與心理內容的聯結，較適合深入心理探索與臨床介入。表達性藝術治療重視創作的整體歷程、跨媒介體驗與身心整合，適合更開放、多元的人群和主題。
What is the Difference Between Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy?
Although Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy share similarities, they differ in their theoretical backgrounds, modalities, training focuses, and clinical applications.
1. Art Therapy
Definition:
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses visual art media (such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage) to help individuals express emotions, explore psychological issues, and support mental health.
Key Features:
• Focuses mainly on visual arts.
• Artworks are often seen as symbolic representations of psychological states.
• The process often includes interpretation and discussion of the artwork.
• Combines psychological theories and counselling skills with art-making.
2. Expressive Arts Therapy
Definition:
Expressive Arts Therapy is an intermodal, integrative approach that uses multiple forms of creative expression—including visual arts, music, movement, drama, and writing—to support healing and self-discovery.
Key Features:
• Multimodal: Uses a combination of different art forms (e.g., painting, dancing, poetry).
• Process-oriented: The experience of creating is more important than the final product.
• Emphasizes body awareness, sensory integration, and inner exploration.
• Focuses on creativity and transformation rather than diagnosis.
3. Example Scenario
A child paints a swirling blue image:
• An Art Therapist might say:
“This swirl reminds me of anxiety or chaos. Have you felt out of control lately?”
(Focus on interpretation and emotional insight)
• An Expressive Arts Therapist might say:
“Would you like to move your body or make a sound like this blue swirl? Let’s step into the world you created.”
(Focus on embodied experience and exploration)
4. Summary
Art Therapy focuses on exploring the psychological meanings of visual art, often drawing from psychotherapy-based approaches.
Expressive Arts Therapy emphasizes creative process, multi-sensory exploration, and transformation; it is often more flexible and interdisciplinary. Both are valuable therapeutic paths, and they can complement each other based on clients’ needs and goals.
