Welcome back to a continuation in our journey through Expressive Arts Therapy (see last week’s blog, Expressive Arts Therapy: Exploring Creativity in Healing, for more info). Last week, I delved into the Expressive Arts Therapy, exploring its definition, how it can be a transformative tool for healing of a variety of concerns like anxiety, depression, and trauma, and some ideas for interventions that can be used in therapy with a trained professional. Today, I’m taking a deeper dive into a particularly crucial aspect of personal development, self-esteem, and how Expressive Arts Therapy can help.
Just for a quick refresher, though, here’s a definition of Expressive Arts Therapy: Expressive Arts Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that encourages individuals to explore and express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through various creative modalities such as visual arts, movement, music, drama, and writing. A special aspect of the theory is that one artistic expression informs the next, such as drawing then creating a 3D piece then expressing through singing. Each section leads to more awareness and healing. One important thing to remember about using this theory is that there is NO experience needed in the arts. The process, not the product, is what’s important. So, let’s talk about how it can help self-esteem!
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem refers to the subjective evaluation of one’s own worth and value as a person. It encompasses beliefs about oneself, including feelings of competence, adequacy, and self-worth. It’s important to note that self-esteem is not fixed and can fluctuate over time based on various factors, such as life experiences, relationships, and internal dialogue. Additionally, self-esteem is influenced by both internal and external factors, including personal achievements, social comparisons, and feedback from others.
In the context of expressive arts therapy, addressing self-esteem involves exploring and understanding one’s beliefs, emotions, and experiences through creative expression. By engaging in art/music-making processes, individuals can gain insight into their thoughts and feelings, challenge negative self-perceptions, and cultivate a more compassionate and accepting relationship with themselves.
Understanding the Inner Critic
One aspect of self-esteem involves the inner critic. The inner critic is that nagging voice inside our heads, constantly berating us with self-doubt, criticism, and negativity. It’s the relentless inner voice that tells us we’re not good enough, smart enough, or worthy of love and success.
- What is it? The inner critic is essentially the manifestation of our negative self-talk, shaped by past experiences, societal pressures, and our own insecurities.
- How does it present in people? For many individuals, the inner critic manifests as persistent self-doubt, fear of failure, and a pervasive sense of inadequacy. It can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
- How can Expressive Arts Therapy address it? Through creative expression, clients can externalize their inner dialogue, gaining perspective on its origins and impact. For example, imagining your inner critic as a small image of yourself then telling it how it’s wrong about what it says. (This is an extremely basic version of the intervention, so it’s just for you to have an idea of what it could look like.)
Navigating Imposter Syndrome
Another aspect of self-esteem struggles can include imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is a common phenomenon characterized by feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, despite evident success or competence. It’s the persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite ample evidence to the contrary.
- What is it? Imposter syndrome is often fueled by perfectionism, fear of failure, and the belief that one’s success is undeserved or the result of luck rather than skill or effort.
- How it can be specific to artists? Artists, in particular, may experience imposter syndrome due to the subjective nature of their work and the constant comparison to others in their field. The pressure to create original and meaningful art can exacerbate feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy.
- How can Expressive Arts Therapy help? Through artistic activities, individuals can confront their fears of failure and perfectionism, embracing the process of creation rather than fixating on the end result. For example, a client may write song lyrics about how they feel, leading to greater insight for thoughts that are illogical and unhealthy which can be addressed.
My Experience with Integrative Therapy
The way I use research-based theories in therapy depends on many factors, including the unique client’s needs, personality, and openness. Most therapists use their professional judgment to guide the way they handle each session with a client. In my practice, I integrate Expressive Arts Therapy with a few other evidence-based theories to help you with your concerns, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavioral Therapy, and Humanistic approaches. Notice how above I mentioned awareness about thoughts? This is when I may then use CBT to address what rose from using Expressive Arts Therapy. Integrating theories creates a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan for each of my clients. Since Expressive Arts Therapy has an emphasis on expression, imagination, active participation, and mind-body connection, it works well for my thinking out of the box style. Just in case you don’t know what the other theories are, here’s a brief description, including links to a few past blogs about them in depth.
· CBT focuses on identifying and challenging maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors. Read more about it in this blog post.
· Behavioral therapy emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior. Read more about it in this blog post (specific to ADHD).
· Humanistic therapy emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and personal growth, fostering a supportive therapeutic relationship.
By incorporating Expressive Arts Therapy techniques alongside these other therapeutic modalities, I aim to provide clients with a diverse toolkit for self-exploration, healing, and growth.
Let’s Help Your Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is a fundamental aspect of our emotional well-being, influencing how we perceive ourselves and navigate the world around us. Expressive Arts Therapy offers a holistic approach to addressing issues related to self-esteem, empowering individuals to cultivate self-awareness, self-compassion, and authenticity through creative expression.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Expressive Arts Therapy can support your journey towards greater self-esteem and personal development, I encourage you to reach out and schedule a free 15 minute consultation call with me. I provide online individual therapy for Florida residents but also offer online workshops for a variety of topics (including Expressive Arts Therapy interventions) for anyone in the US. Together, we can embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing through the power of art and creativity. Remember, you are worthy of love, success, and belonging, just as you are.
Contact Me in 4 Easy Ways (for therapy):
- Click the yellow “Book Online” button above for your free 15 minute phone consultation
- If you have insurance, schedule the call through Headway
- Fill out the form below for your call (I’ll contact you by secure voice and/or text to schedule our consultation time)
- Call me at 321-415-0832
***Must be living in Florida to receive my therapy services. It’s OK if your permanent address is in another state and you attend college in Florida!
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