What is Creative Arts Therapy?
Creative Arts Therapy
Also known as Expressive Arts Therapy (EAT), Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) is an umbrella term for mental health practices that use various art forms and the creative process to promote psychological, emotional, social, and physical healing and well-being. While the more recent term "Creative Arts Therapy" emerged and became a formalized discipline between the 1940’s and 1960’s, its roots can be traced back to ancient traditions across various indigenous cultures. For centuries, art, music, dance, and drama have been central to healing practices, celebratory rituals, and communal expression. These sacred practices remind us of the innate connection between creativity and the human experience.
Today, CAT includes modalities such as art, music, dance/movement, and drama therapy, often incorporating writing, poetry, symbolism, metaphor, guided meditation, imagination, and imagery. These approaches may be used simultaneously in an inter-modal creative arts process or successively in an inter-modal transfer experience, continuing the legacy of art as a path toward holistic well-being and connection.
Dance/Movement Therapy
“The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) defines dance/movement therapy as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual.” -American Dance Therapy Association — Established in 1966
Music Therapy
“Music Therapy (MT) is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program” -American Music Therapy Association — Established in 1998
Art Therapy
“Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship” -American Art Therapy Association — Established in 1969
Drama Therapy or Psychodrama
“Drama therapy is the intentional use of drama and/or theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals” -North American Drama Therapy Association — Established in 1979
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