“How does a release happen? What tells us that release or shedding of layers has occurred?”

A colleague recently asked me this question bringing the pause needed to try to find the words to explain the internal shifting I experience through my personal engagement in expressive arts practices. I believe knowing a release or shift happens is individualized, a felt sense experience that blooms into existence.

As an expressive arts therapist, part of my job is to help others listen within and find the expressive language to support their unique experiences. I’ll share my personal process as an example of the experience.

I feel the energy of an idea, a metaphor, an intention, a focused body-sensation internally in a physiologically way. Emotions, empathy, pain, tension, etc. are felt viscerally. This energy builds up internally with a pressure, a need to go somewhere. I experience emotions in a very visceral, physical way as well as hyperempathy.

The multi-modal model of expressive arts therapy offers a path to expressive languages that naturally honor all parts of ourselves. Art mediums, movements, sounds, storytelling- they each present moments of choice and decision making where parts are invited to be curious. The expressive arts studio becomes the meeting place where all parts are able to choose their unique voice.

Approaching each selection with the curiosity of self-energy, creative expression externalizes these internal experiences into existence. A shift- the internal experience now external. It can be seen, witnessed, heard, touched, felt. Parts can now be literally cradled by self. Bringing past moments of pain, tension, or distress to be held safely in the present.

I know that the release happened when I get an inner sense of satisfaction, a feeling of completion, an inner settling. Occasionally, there’s a “there it is!” that will pop in my head, but it’s usually guided by my body.

As Cathy Malchiodi says, “The body holds healing.” I certainly find this to be true.

#expressiveartstherapy #partswork