Editorial: The State of the Art in Creative Arts Therapies

Abstract

Editorial on the Research Topic The State of the Art in Creative Arts Therapies Creative Arts Therapies is an umbrella term for healthcare professions that use the creative and expressive process of art making to improve and enhance the psychological and social well-being of individuals of all ages and health conditions. Creative arts therapies use the relationship between the client and therapist and among clients in group or dyadic therapy in the context of the creative-expressive process as a dynamic and vital force for growth and change. The creative-expressive process engages physiological sensations, emotions, and cognition; facilitates verbal and non-verbal symbolization, narration, and expression of conscious or unconscious conflicts and meaning-making through internal and external dialogue and communication between oneself and others. The major objective of this Research Topic was to introduce, collect, discuss, and disseminate new clinical practices, scientific evidence, methodologies, theoretical concepts, and notions about Creative Arts Therapies. By publishing this open-access articles under this Research Topic we hope not only to distribute updated knowledge among the many clinicians in this field, but also to inform and convey the importance and significant therapeutic impact of this field, to scientists and clinicians from other psychological disciplines. Creative arts therapists work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, educational institutions, community mental health facilities, prisons, hospices, and private practices, and include a variety of Professional specializations. Contributors to this Research Topic included experts in dance-movement therapy (DMT), drama-therapy and psychodrama, film therapy, music therapy, and art therapy. The topics of their studies vary from theoretical concepts and underlying mechanisms through methodology and up to evidence-based clinical studies and their review or meta-analysis. In the following paragraphs we summarized the 36 different contributions to this Research Topic, based on their artistic modality. DANCE-MOVEMENT THERAPY Seven articles contributed to the modality of dance-movement therapy. Payne and Brooks, wrote a theoretical article "Different Strokes for Different Folks: The BodyMind Approach as a Learning Tool for Patients with Medically Unexplained Symptoms to Self-Manage" in which, based on research and their DMT practice with patients with medically unexplained symptoms, they proposed a new approach to treat this population: The BodyMind Approach. A description of the theoretical underpinnings and philosophy of the proposed alternative to current interventions is presented as well as a description of the suggested intervention which incorporates creative arts therapies and adult learning techniques for self-management practices.

Impact of Group Art Therapy Using Traditional Chinese Materials on Self-Efficacy and Social Function for Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia

“…Professionals have attempted to use a variety of psychotherapy techniques to help patients with mental disorders eliminate mental distress more quickly and explore more acceptable treatment methods for patients. Group art therapy is a form of psychotherapy with art applied with an intermediary and group approach, which has advantages in addressing emotional disorders ( Shafir et al, 2020 ). However, Chinese patients have been influenced by Chinese traditional art education since childhood.…”

Playback theatre in adult day centers: A creative group intervention for community-dwelling older adults

“…A growing body of research has established the positive impact of creative arts therapies in terms of improving various aspects of older adults' mental health [11][12][13][14][15][16]. Visual arts, music, dance-movement, drama and theater provide additional means of self-exploration and expression within a therapeutic relationship [17]. In addition, engagement with the arts has been identified as a promising means of improving older adults' well-being and health [18][19][20].…”

Students’ Confidence and Interest in Palliative and Bereavement Care: A European Study

“…Many of these competencies can be fostered through experiential role plays and simulations which can contribute to better practical skills and improved emotional experiences in students’ clinical placement ( Venkatasalu et al, 2015 ; Valen et al, 2020 ). Experiential training can also include practices offered by creative arts therapists who are credentialed healthcare professionals who have completed a MA and have clinical training in using the creative and expressive processes of art-making and its outcomes to ameliorate disabilities and illnesses and optimize health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship ( Azoulay and Orkibi, 2015 ; Orkibi et al, 2017a , b ; Orkibi, 2019 ; Orkibi and Feniger-Schaal, 2019 ; Feniger-Schaal and Orkibi, 2020 ; Shafir et al, 2020 ). The professional disciplines are visual/plastic art therapy, psychodrama, drama therapy, dance movement therapy, music therapy, and poetry/biblio therapy.…”