Collage & Expressive Arts Therapy
                                   by
                          Marcia McMurtrey, ACSW, LCSW
           Expressive
           Arts Therapy
               Expressive Arts Therapy, also referred to as Creative Arts
           Therapy, allows for self-expression through various artistic
           outlets, including: journaling, poetry, music, drama, and visual
           arts.
               Various means of expression in the visual arts may
           include drawing, painting, photography and collage. Collage will
           be the focus of this first of a series on Expressive Arts Therapy.
               In my therapy practice, I strive to create a warm, supportive, and inspiring
           environment. With my help, clients can nurture their potential through creative
           expression, explore their capabilities, and heal from past traumas.
           WhatIsA
           Collage?
               Although collage has a long history of hundreds of years, it gained popularity as
           an art method in the early 20th century by artists such as Picasso and Braque. Collage
           comes from the French word “coller” which means to glue or paste and so, is a
           composition of materials and objects that have been pasted over a surface to form a
           unifying (or sometimes not!) theme.
               When “free associating” in the creation of your collage as your therapist might
           suggest, you can imagine that often the greatest insight is gleaned. However, more
           about that in a moment. Sometimes the beauty of collage is often in its spontaneity!
           Collage As An
           Expressive Art
               Collage has been found to reduce depression, release repressed feelings, and
           resolve emotional issues. How so? Research shows that the function of actually moving
           our hands activates areas of our brain’s frontal cortex, providing pleasure.
               Further, the added benefit of seeing tangible results of that which we’ve created
           provides an extra level of satisfaction. This is why we’re often most content and at peace
                                          Collage & Expressive Arts Therapy
                                                                by
                                              Marcia McMurtrey, ACSW, LCSW
                   when simply creating. Even though not officially considered creative arts, tasks such as
                   gardening, painting, jewelry making, and knitting are just several examples of the
                   pleasures that this type of movement brings.
                           Collages, when used in a psychotherapy setting, are
                   considered a projective technique.
                           This simply means that you’re encouraged to tell a story
                   or narrative through the creation of your collage. This then
                   serves as a basis for communication and dialogue between you
                   and your therapist.
                           Based on the goals that you’ve both established for your
                   therapy, your therapist may suggest a theme or free association in the creation of your
                   collage.   She’s then able to further refine her treatment plan and ensure insight and
                   awareness of the issues with which you’re coping. Perhaps you’re seeing her for issues
                   of anxiety.
                           Her prompt in that case might be something like: “If you had a feeling of pure
                   freedom from anxiety, what would it look like?”
                           Or perhaps you’re seeing her for depression. Her prompt then might be: “What
                   does pure happiness, pure joy – freedom from depression and sadness – look like to
                   you?”
                   Benefits of
                   Creating Collages
                           Aside from it’s effectiveness as an art therapy technique, creating collages have
                   other benefits:
                           There’s no talent required! You’re completely free to do what you wish, which
                   reduces the anxiety of expectation and perfection that often plague artistic endeavors.
                           The materials to construct a collage are readily available. Collages can be made
                   from magazines, newspaper clippings, photographs, cards, as well as objects such as
                      Collage & Expressive Arts Therapy
                                  by
                        Marcia McMurtrey, ACSW, LCSW
          ribbons, buttons, shells, etc. Magazines are popular materials for collage due to
          availability and the wide spectrum of images.
              Collages are easy to execute. The only tools you need are the foundation upon
          which you’ll place your images, like cardboard, the actual magazine (or other medium),
          scissors, and glue.
          HowtoMake
          ACollage
              As mentioned, the process for creating a
          collage is deceptively simple for the amazing insights
          you can gain in the process. Here’s a sample of how
          to effectively “collage”!
              1. Gather your materials such as magazines
          or newspaper clippings. You can also print out free
          digital images as well.
              2. Are you a planner? If so, you may want to select a theme prior to starting. But,
          if being a “consummate” planner (!) is something you’d like to move away from, consider
          letting your creative process flow naturally. How does that feel? Are you uncomfortable
          in letting this flow? Is this an area in which you might want to do some work? This is a
          perfect approach for perfectionists! Do you feel as if your creativity must have purpose?
          Must the end result be perfect? Do you hesitate even beginning a creative endeavor
          unless it’s inspired and sure to move people? How does this hesitancy make you feel?
              3. Gather the images and words or phrases in front of you. What emotions are
          bubbling to the surface? What feelings are you experiencing? Why did you select those
          particular images and/or words? Play with moving the images and words around until
          their placement feels “just right” to you. Feel free to add paint, fabric, glitter, whatever
          you desire.
              4. If you gave a title to your collage, what would it be?
                      Collage & Expressive Arts Therapy
                                  by
                        Marcia McMurtrey, ACSW, LCSW
              Once your collage is complete, you and therapist have a great deal to explore!
          Does the primary image in the collage tell a story about you? About your personality?
          Does it relate your hopes and dreams? How about the collage as a whole: Do the items
          that you chose to embellish it with, add to the image, and explain even more? This is an
          exciting process and eye opening for many clients as they gain insights and awareness,
          and become inspired to make change!
                                   # # #
                       Marcia McMurtrey, ACSW, LCSWis a therapist in the Scottsdale
                        Phoenix area with expertise in the Expressive Arts.
                      Visit her website at http://www.counselingservices-phoenix.com
                       to learn more about how you can discover, explore and
                              express your truest self!