Everything you always wanted to know but were too afraid to ask!  

Although I.T.S. works primarily with Speech & Language Therapists, there are a number of associated services available to clients too. These include Creative Expressive Therapists, Educational & Clinical Psychologists, Neuropsychologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Motivational Speakers.

This week Emily Breden – one of ITS’ Creative Expressive Therapists – answers some questions

frequently asked by parents, carers and colleagues.
 

Q. What are Creative Expressive Therapies?
A. CET are forms of therapy utilising psychology and
psychotherapy in conjunction with drama, music, art, play, dance and movement. Methods include:

Drama: Storytelling/storymaking (using mythology, fairytales, social stories and plays), improvisation, sandplay, maskwork and puppetry.

Music: Exploration of musical instruments such as percussive instruments, creation of music and singing. This can be improvised or based upon a pre-existing piece of music.

Art: Creation of artwork in a therapeutic manner. Any materials may be used. They can be a larger work spread over many sessions or may be individual pieces.

Dance/Movement: Provides the opportunity to be aware of the body and to use most body parts in a free/expressive manner.

Play:  Used largely with children/young adults. Through story & play the child is provided with the space to be expressive and communicative without needing verbal communication (which may be difficult at a young age).

All forms can be used separately or in conjunction with each other and provide an aesthetic distance for the individual to work though problems, behaviours, social changes, communication, relationships and mental heath issues in a safe manner.

Q. Who do Creative Expressive Therapists work with?
A. CET can be implemented in many settings such as schools, mental health/social care settings, prisons and privately.

My clinical experience so far has been in day centres for adults with learning disabilities, dedicated Autism Services, Play Therapy Centres, Mental Health Settings (charities for mental health recovery) and in a family setting. I currently practice as a group/individual Dramatherapist in a day centre for adults with learning disabilities and for I.T.S. as an individual therapist with children.

Q. What can these therapies achieve?

A. They can help to address issues/problems and find a
way to begin to resolve them or manage them to make
them more tolerable. CET can also help with social issues. For example, drama, music and art can bring learning difficulties/autism to the public eye and raise awareness – I have recently worked with a group of adults with learning disabilities to create a piece of theatre based upon bullying and the individual’s experience of this. This covered the social experiences of adults with learning disabilities and how hurtful social pre-conceptions can be. In turn this project was both informative for the public and provided a voice and empowerment for the group members.

Q. Are you registered with any Regulatory Bodies?
A. As a Dramatherapist I am required by law to be registered with the Health Professions Council as an Arts Therapist. This qualification can be gained by graduating from an accredited university. Creative Expressive Therapy qualifications can be gained by completing a BA at university, and Dramatherapy qualifications are gained after completing a Masters Degree. I also belong to The British Association of Dramatherapists.

 


Q. How can I find out more about CET?

A. There is lots of information available online about CET. Some useful links are –

 

I.T.S. – https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk
My personal web site –
http://sites.google.com/site/emilybreden/
The British Association of Dramatherapists  (they also have a ‘find-a-therapist’ site) – http://www.badth.org.uk/
The Heath Professions Council –
http://www.hpc-uk.org/
Derby University –
http://www.derby.ac.uk

Q. How do I get involved?!
A. Contact either myself or I.T.S. for further information on CET sessions or for advice on individual/group/family sessions. You can also click here for information about free CET taster sessions –
http://tinyurl.com/27bj6cw 

 

 

Sarah Bennington – November 2010 
Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. ITS is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire and the East Midlands . It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Therapists.

 

 

 


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