EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY

The expressive arts – visual art, dance, movement, music, storytelling and more – have long been recognised in many cultures as having transformative and restorative powers. Expressive arts therapy acknowledges and enhances the power of expression by employing creative and expressive arts modalities in a therapeutic setting to facilitate discovery, growth, connection, transformation and healing.

The act of creative expression can open doors to undiscovered and/or unacknowledged parts of ourselves and give form, shape, colour and voice to thoughts, feelings and emotions that may be otherwise difficult to express. It can be a powerful communication tool, allowing us to express ourselves through a wide variety of processes and materials that transcend verbal communication alone.

Creative expression can reconnect us with our deepest selves, beyond that of traumatic or challenging life experiences or circumstances, and allow us to speak our most authentic soul voice. It is this voice that guides us gently through our often complex and overwhelming thoughts, feelings, emotions, experiences and circumstances, and leads us back to a place of balance and ease.

Expressive arts therapy provides a safe environment in which to explore inner worlds, reflect on emotions and experiences, alchemise negative energies, become present and mindful, communicate and express oneself, and find wholeness, healing and peace. It is the process of journeying within and outwardly expressing that is emphasised in expressive arts therapy, rather than the quality of artwork produced. For this reason, neither artistic ability or experience are required to benefit.

BENEFITS OF EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY INCLUDE:

• Improved self-esteem and increased sense of self-awareness

• Improved communication and ability to express oneself

• Improved social and interpersonal skills, behaviours and relationships

• Reduced feelings of stress, anxiety, frustration, anger, fear, depression and other negative and/or overwhelming emotions

• Increased positive thoughts, feelings and emotions

• Increased sense of independence, self-reliance and control

• Development of healthy coping strategies

• Increased attention-span and improved ability to focus

• Increased awareness, orientation and engagement

• Increased tolerance for sensory stimuli and improved sensory processing

• Improved coordination, motor skills, dexterity, and muscle development

• Improved coping skills and ability to self-sooth

• Improved ability to work through difficult or traumatic experiences

• Improved ability to deal with pain, fatigue and other symptoms of chronic medical illness, including anxiety, distress, fear and depression

• Improved mindfulness and reduced focus on pain or discomfort

• Enhanced sense of meaningfulness and personal empowerment

• Overall improvement in health, wellbeing and quality of life

DANIELLE SINTON

Danielle is a gentle, highly sensitive, and compassionate expressive arts therapist who creates a warm, welcoming and safe environment for her young clients to freely connect with and express their deepest selves through the expressive arts.

Danielle is passionate in her belief that people of all ages and abilities can benefit from the act of creative expression, and has experienced and observed this process to be a powerful tool for reflection, introspection, communication, mindfulness, playfulness, discovery, reconnection, renewal, transformation and healing.

Danielle has a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Therapy and a Certificate of Arts & Design from Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design, a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Canterbury, and a lifelong passion for the arts and guiding people to reconnect with self and soul to lead a more authentic and peaceful life.

“Danielle is very friendly, warm and patient in her interactions with my three children, all of whom have varying degrees of special needs. She is also very enthusiastic and passionate about art and is able to engage my boys in art and craft activities successfully while supporting their unique individual needs. Danielle’s willingness to learn more about my children and her genuine efforts at establishing a relationship with my boys has helped her communicate effectively with them, understand their needs better and support them successfully; which is very much appreciated by us.”  Frian W.