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Art for Good Creative Community Space, located at Siglap Centre #02-24, is dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being. Our space is available for booking to support both individual and community needs. We can accommodate up to 20 people and provide communal art supplies with every studio booking. If desired, you can inquire about adding our art services to enhance your session. Book our creative community space for a private, inspiring experience designed to foster creativity and connection!

Art for Good Creative Community Space, located at Siglap Centre #02-24, is dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being. Our space is available for booking to support both individual and community needs. We can accommodate up to 20 people and provide communal art supplies with every studio booking. If desired, you can inquire about adding our art services to enhance your session. Book our creative community space for a private, inspiring experience designed to foster creativity and connection!

Art therapy is a potent blend of art and psychology, allowing individuals to explore and express their emotions creatively, through the guidance of the art therapist. This therapeutic approach delves into introspection and personal discovery, aiding in confronting traumas and fostering growth. Suitable for all ages, art therapy is a transformative tool for self-expression and emotional well-being, regardless of artistic ability. Dive into a journey of understanding and healing. Book a full session with us.

Art for Good supports Art for Mental Health and Well-Being through Art Therapy, Art Classes & Community Art. Purchase and support Art & Products made by artists with disabilities. Create Art. Create Good. Art For Good Mental Health & Well-Being Home At Art for Good, we can use ART to create GOOD! At Art for Good, we follow the philosophy of using art to create good. Through visual arts and art therapy, we promote mental health and well-being in meaningful and transformative ways. In today’s fast-paced world, mental wellness is often overlooked — yet it’s vital for a balanced, fulfilling life. As a social enterprise, we offer professional art services and meaningful projects that benefit the community, shedding light on social welfare and supporting individual well-being. More than just an art studio, Art for Good is a collaborative space where creativity becomes a bridge, connecting and uplifting disadvantaged communities, including individuals with disabilities and underprivileged children in Singapore. We believe that being part of a compassionate community also plays a vital role in mental wellness. By caring for ourselves and connecting with others, each of us can inspire, uplift, and make a difference. OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS Join us as an artist for our projects which include community art projects, events, exhibitions and other opportunities. BOOK A CLASS / JOIN OUR WORKSHOPS We have different classes for personal development, mental well-being and giving back to various causes for both adults and children. Book a session that is suitable for you and your family. BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY Join us as a volunteer or a collaborator, so we can build more community art projects that champion various social causes and create meaningful projects. What We Do At Art for Good, we provide services including Art Therapy, Art Enrichment, Community Art and Shop. Through collaborations with different individuals, companies, schools, and organizations, we are inspired to create more interesting projects to do good! Art Therapy Art Therapy is guided by an art therapist using art media, images, art processes, and client responses to create products as the reflections of personal development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns and for conflict resolution. Art Workshops Art encourages the love of learning and personal development. Through our art programs, you will be able to express yourself through art and still enjoy the therapeutic benefits that it brings. Explore a variety of art mediums, all skill levels are welcome! Community Art Giving back through community art projects gives us a sense of fulfilment and appreciation, especially when we contribute to building a more inclusive society. Here you can have the opportunity to engage with our beneficiaries. Shop for Good SHOP FOR GOOD! Our online shop and booths provide a platform and opportunity, empowering through the showcase and sales of art products created by our artist beneficiaries! Proceeds will go directly toward the artists and their families. Upcoming Classes & Workshops Art Therapy (Individual Session) This therapeutic approach delves into introspection and personal discovery Read More 1 hr 120 Singapore dollars $120 Book Now Art Therapy Consultation This therapeutic approach delves into introspection and personal discovery. Read More 30 min 60 Singapore dollars $60 Book Now Projects for Good These creative art projects have made us proud. They allow us to give back to the community. We would love to share with you our fantastic art projects and programs. View More Our Clients & Partners To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Accreditations & Awards

Meet the talented artists featured by Art for Good. Discover their inspiring works and learn how their creativity drives positive social change through art. Featured Artists The artworks and products of these artists are featured in our shop in order to empower vulnerable individuals with special needs. Click on their personal icons to check out the products by each of them! Artists with Disabilities Beads by YTJ Beads By YTJ is a handcrafted paper jewelry and crafts brand created by a mother-daughter duo, Jane and Yue Ting. Yue Ting, who has autism, finds joy and purpose in quilling, an art form involving the rolling and shaping of paper strips into intricate designs. Their jewelry is beautifully crafted, lightweight, comfortable, and coated with a water-resistant layer. Chloe Chek Age: 10 Disability: Rare Disorder (SMA2) Chloe has Spinal muscular atrophy type 2 (SMA2), a genetic neuromuscular disorder affecting nerve cells that control voluntary muscles (motor neurons). She is wheelchair bound and has weak fine motor skills. She is aware she is different from other children, often feeling left out during physical education and sports activities. However, she maintains a positive outlook to life and has a love for art. She hopes that she is able to create art that people would love and that they will buy her artwork! Cindy Phua Cindy Phua, a self-taught artist with a natural talent for drawing and painting, worked as a nail artist for over 10 years. She turned to art as therapy during a period of mental health struggles and severe anxiety. This process reignited her passion for art and her keen eye for detail. Cindy's hyper-realistic, dream-like paintings express hope, peace, and happiness, which she wishes to share with others. She aspires to be an artist and advocate for mental health through her experiences. Jayden Lau Age: 14 Disability: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Jayden, diagnosed with ADHD, faces challenges with self-control, attention, and sitting still, but his love for painting and mixing colors shines through. During Art Therapy sessions, he creates beautiful art pieces, sometimes co-creating with his younger brother Javier and sister Janelle, who has a rare disorder. Jayden also enjoys cooking and baking in his free time. Koh Jun Kai Age: 21 Disability: Autism Jun Kai is diagnosed with autism and has a unique perspective that shines through his passions and talents. Drawing and painting provide him with a sense of calm and serve as a tool for emotional regulation. Recently, he has embraced digital art, enjoying the process of drawing people and showcasing his keen eye for detail. His artistic talent has led to several commissioned works, highlighting his dedication and ability to connect with others through his creations. In addition to art, Jun Kai has a deep fascination with Lego constructions, particularly the mechanics of Lego Technic gears. Jonas Teo Age: 14 Disability: Autism Jonas is one of three children in his family, each diagnosed with unique special conditions. While Jonas has Autism Spectrum Disorder, his two brothers live with an immunodeficiency disorder that requires lifelong treatment. Despite these challenges, Jonas shines as a young aspiring artist with remarkable talent and creativity. Jonas’s artwork reflects his vibrant personality and interests, often featuring rainbows, Mario, and pirates. Through art, he finds joy, expression, and a sense of accomplishment. His creativity not only showcases his talent but also serves as a source of inspiration for those around him. Jonas enjoy playing swtich games like Mario and Zelda. He also trains regularly for long distance at track and have started running for cross country events to build up his endurance and running speed. Titus Teo Age: 10 Disability: Rare Disorder (Immunity Deficiency) Titus is the youngest of three siblings, all with unique special needs. He and his brother have an immunodeficiency disorder requiring lifelong treatment of monthly 10-hour intravenous immunoglobulin therapy to prevent lung infections. Music and art help Titus regulate his emotions. Since age nine, he has pursued his passion for music by learning the flute, piano, and guzheng (his school CCA). Titus enjoys building Lego and swimming, and his favorite color is turquoise, while his favorite character is Kirby. Lucas Teo Age: 14 Disability: Rare Disorder (Immunity Deficiency) Lucas has an immunodeficiency disorder requiring lifelong monthly 10-hour intravenous immunoglobulin therapy at the hospital to prevent bacterial infections, such as influenza. He also has dyslexia and faced learning challenges throughout his academic years, which necessitated school and therapy support. Lucas is incredibly talented in art and has a deep love for animals, particularly reptiles like tortoises and snakes. He enjoys building Lego models and figurines and finds sketching helpful for self-regulating his emotions. Additionally, Lucas engages in gym workouts and track training to channel his energy and build endurance. Leslie Lim Age: 21 Disability: Autism Leslie experienced speech delay until the age of five, found a way to express himself through art. Learning about art became a turning point for him, as it was a meaningful avenue for communication and self-expression. His artwork often features elements of nature, including animals, people, trees, and leaves, reflecting his deep appreciation for the world around him. Beyond art, Leslie is passionate about music and enjoys singing, as well as playing the guitar, keyboard, and cello. Art continues to play a significant role in his life. Through his creativity, Leslie finds both peace and connection. Our Team Learning Journey Our Clients & Partners To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Accreditations & Awards

Meet the passionate team behind Art For Good, dedicated to driving social impact and spreading positivity through creativity and art initiatives. Meet Our Team Management Team Art Therapists / Mental Health Professionals Team Artist/ Art Teaching Team Management Team Managing Director / Founder Amanda Chen Amanda is a certified and experienced Art Therapist (MA-AT 2015 Masters in Art Therapy) and Arts Educator (Registered with MOE-AMIS). She has been active and current in the social work scene for the past decade and has worked with many charities and social enterprises like Red Pencil, Student Advisory Centre (Children’s Wishing Well), Center Pottery, Habitat for Humanity Singapore and was the Former Deputy Director of Social Creatives. She currently sits on the board as Honorary Secretary of the Rare Disorders Society of Singapore. She believes in the healing and therapeutic aspects of art and its many applications. Prior, Amanda had been in the advertising industry for several years before starting her own branding and design agency that was running for more than 12 years. As the healing arts and the work of a therapist resonated so deeply with her, she decided to pursue her Masters in Art Therapy to become an Art Therapist. Amanda is the founder for Art for Good and believes that a lot of good can be done through art using the platform of a social enterprise. Support Executive Alanis Seah Alanis is an alumni of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts with a Diploma in Fine Arts, is known for her unwavering commitment to addressing critical societal issues. She uses her boundless creativity to create art that empowers, provokes introspection, and sparks meaningful dialogues on topics such as gender disparities, racial inequalities, mental health awareness, and neurodiversity. Alanis challenges conventional artistic themes in her pursuit of catalyzing positive change through her contributions to the arts. Currently, Alanis is working part-time alongside Amanda and Gabriel at Art for Good. Their mission is to leverage the power of art to foster positive change within diverse communities. Together, they demonstrate how art can be a potent force for good in our world, channelling Alanis's expertise in art to provide professional art services and innovative creative products. Business Development Manager Gabriel Lee Gabriel’s passions have led him to become the General Manager of Art for Good. Transcending his love for photography, Gabriel is a CAAS certified Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Pilot, specialising in aerial photography and cinematography. Over the past decade, he has worked with various profit and non-profit organisations such as GuruRealiti, the Catholic Church, the People’s Association, and online car magazine Revv-Motoring Singapore. Gabriel finds passion and fulfilment in social work, with numerous years of experience in disaster response and humanitarian aid with Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, Singapore (CHARIS). He has led and organised mission teams to provide relief in countries such as Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. During which, he has also worked with children with disabilities, people with financial difficulties and refugees of war and natural disasters. At Art for Good, Gabriel gets to combine his two passions, by doing good through art. Wendilyn Project Executive Wendilyn is a digital artist driven by a passion to make the world a more vibrant and colorful place. Inspired by the limitless possibilities of digital illustration, she loves that it allows her to learn from mistakes and continually improve. Wendilyn's artistic style is characterized by bright, bold colors and a whimsical children's storybook aesthetic. As a creative, Wendilyn finds inspiration in the work of fellow artists and the community. She believes that art is a journey, not a destination, and that there's no such thing as perfection – only beauty in the eye of the beholder. Wendilyn's artistic philosophy is centered around spreading joy and happiness through her work. Through her daily creative practice, Wendilyn continually refines her craft, experimenting with new techniques and styles. Her unique approach balances texture and color, resulting in captivating digital illustrations that transport viewers to enchanting worlds. With a heart full of creativity and a passion for making a positive impact, Wendilyn's art is sure to delight and inspire audiences of all ages. Art Therapists / Mental Health Professionals Senior Art Therapist / Supervisor Amanda Chen Amanda is a certified and experienced Art Therapist (MA-AT 2015 Masters in Art Therapy) and Arts Educator (Registered with MOE-AMIS), where her passion is in working with children, especially those with special needs and disabilities. She has been active and current in the social work scene for the past decade and has worked with many charities and social enterprises, and currently sits on the board as Honorary Secretary of the Rare Disorders Society of Singapore. As the healing arts and the work of a therapist resonated so deeply with her, she decided to pursue her Masters in Art Therapy to become an Art Therapist. Amanda is the founder and key art therapist at Art for Good and believes that a lot of good can be done through art using the platform of a social enterprise. She believes in the healing therapeutic aspects of art and its many applications. Daphna Arbell Kehila Daphna Arbell Kehila has over 20 years’ experience as Expressive Arts Therapist. Daphna holds a PhD in Adult Education and a Master of Arts (MA) in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University in Cambridge Massachusetts. She also holds a master’s degree in Space Design from Musashino Art University in Tokyo, and a Master degree in Theatre Arts from Tel-Aviv University. Daphna incorporates her experience as a qualified Yoga Therapy practitioner with creative work, to cultivate inner strength, support mental health and wellbeing; she dedicates her time to create, develop and conduct programs and workshops for various populations, supporting the process of personal development and growth of individuals and communities. Living and working in Asia Pacific region for more than three decades, and as a permanent resident (PR) in Singapore since 2004, Daphna has a deep understanding of multicultural experiences. She is owner and director at West East Pte. Ltd, where she practices Expressive Arts Therapy and Yoga Therapy. Senior Art Therapist / Supervisor Senior Art Therapist Wendy Yap Wendy is a certified Art Therapist (2010) and Career Coach (NCDA, 2018). She is an associate faculty at Singapore University of Social Sciences and adjunct lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic. Wendy enjoys working with people from all walks of life. To her, everyone has a story to tell and listening empathetically is the key to help people to open up. Through this approach, her clients have found a safe outlet to work through their personal challenges. Apart from art and verbal therapy, Wendy is exploring to use of sports, pets and gardening to enhance the mental well-being of clients and the community at-large. She believes that being in touch with nature, animals and physical activities relax the mind and release happy hormones. Art Therapist Colette Alexandratos Colette is a dedicated Art Therapist specializing in supporting children, adolescents, and adults through creative expression and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Fluent in English and Greek, she holds a Master’s in Art Therapy from Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore, and is a registered member of ANZACATA, ATAS, and the HCPC in the UK. With a trauma-informed and person-centered approach, Colette uses art as a means of communication and self-discovery to empower individuals, fostering insight and healing. Her experience includes working with diverse international clients, addressing challenges such as anxiety, depression, school avoidance, eating disorders, and conditions like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Art Therapist Christopher Tan Christopher Tan Meng Loong is a skilled mental health professional and registered art therapist with extensive experience supporting individuals across diverse age groups. Specializing in trauma-informed care, he uses creative therapies to address complex trauma, emotional challenges, and mental health issues, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, and emotional dysregulation. With over a decade of experience, Christopher has facilitated impactful one-on-one and group therapy sessions, empowering individuals through art to foster healing, resilience, and self-expression. Holding advanced degrees in art therapy and psychology, he is a dedicated member of professional organizations committed to promoting mental well-being with empathy and professionalism. Art Therapist Kit Louis Kit, an accredited art psychotherapist with 11+ years of experience, provides a nurturing sanctuary for clients to rediscover their inner selves through art. Collaborating gently, she guides individuals in using art as a transformative tool to navigate life's challenges. Specializing in diverse art therapy approaches, Kit warmly welcomes individuals of all genders, orientations, and ages. Her interventions, backed by a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore, adapt to individual needs. Previously assisting those with trauma and mental health challenges, Kit integrates art therapy into workshops and group sessions. Her practice also includes holistic healing techniques like reiki and Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT). Art Therapist Karen KOH centres her practice with the arts as an essential for holistic personal development and meaning-making of life experiences. She have 9 years of experience as an art therapist and 8 years working with seniors. Rooted in disciplines of psychology, art therapy and spirituality, she has been active in healthcare and social service settings engaging with different communities like older adults and caregivers. Karen has been growing her practice as an art therapist-artist in community-based settings. Having implemented fruitful programmes through collaborations in the expanding arts & health context, Karen has also contributed in the creation of arts toolkits to equip community care professionals and volunteers with creative care skills. She believes accessibility to the arts should be an everyday practice for people from all walks of life. She is a registered art therapist with Art Therapists’ Association of Singapore (ATAS) and The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA). Karen Koh Family Counsellor & Coach Xavier Woon As a Family Counsellor and Coach, Xavier is passionate about helping individuals and families overcome challenges and achieve their potential. His supportive and empowering approach ensures clients feel understood and valued. For over 15 years, Xavier has conducted workshops on mental well-being for schools, institutions, and organisations. As an adjunct lecturer, he has taught counselling skills, conflict management, and crisis intervention, engaging students eager to enhance their soft skills. With expertise in one-on-one and group settings, Xavier tailors counselling and coaching sessions to individual needs and provides training on family-related issues like communication and conflict resolution. As a father of four, he promotes healthy relationships through practical strategies, helping clients improve family dynamics and resolve conflicts with care. Artist/ Art Teaching Team Art Teacher Gabriel Lee Gabriel’s passions have led him to become the General Manager of Art for Good. Transcending his love for photography, Gabriel is a CAAS certified Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Pilot, specialising in aerial photography and cinematography. Over the past decade, he has worked with various profit and non-profit organisations such as GuruRealiti, the Catholic Church, the People’s Association, and online car magazine Revv-Motoring Singapore. Gabriel finds passion and fulfilment in social work, with numerous years of experience in disaster response and humanitarian aid with Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, Singapore (CHARIS). He has led and organised mission teams to provide relief in countries such as Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. During which, he has also worked with children with disabilities, people with financial difficulties and refugees of war and natural disasters. At Art for Good, Gabriel gets to combine his two passions, by doing good through art. Nagomi Artist / Teacher Goh Keat Long Goh Keat Leong grew up in a humble fishing village with an exceptional interest in drawing. As art lessons were considered an extravagance, he taught himself sketching and illustration. In 2017, he chanced upon Pastel Nagomi Art. This simple form of art rekindled his long-lost desire in art creation, and he started his journey as a Pastel Nagomi Art instructor. Keat Leong believes that art is not just about drawing skills and creativity. Art can be a simple form of therapy that brings balance to people’s emotional harmony, and it should always be a part of our lives. In 2019, he founded Zundeng Art based on his alias name, Zundeng. Zundeng Art is known for the willingness to share valuable and quality content openly and the stencils that he designed and created are widely used in many countries! Peter Loh Peter was Amanda’s first art teacher, when she was 4 years old. Peter is a self-taught artist, cartoonist and graphic designer who has been doing freelance work and working in design houses for more than one and a half decades, creating a plethora of traditional and digital illustrations, logos and other graphic designs for hundreds of clients, from individuals to MNCs. He has self-published a number of illustrated story books and also put his artistic skills to use in a string of educational books for various authors, both locally and in the US. On top of that, Peter has also conducted art lessons in schools and company offices, as well as in charities and non-profit organizations, like the Down Syndrome Association of Singapore. Creative Consultant / Artist / Art Teacher Artist / Art Teacher Wendilyn Wendilyn is a digital artist driven by a passion to make the world a more vibrant and colorful place. Inspired by the limitless possibilities of digital illustration, she loves that it allows her to learn from mistakes and continually improve. Wendilyn's artistic style is characterized by bright, bold colors and a whimsical children's storybook aesthetic. As a creative, Wendilyn finds inspiration in the work of fellow artists and the community. She believes that art is a journey, not a destination, and that there's no such thing as perfection – only beauty in the eye of the beholder. Wendilyn's artistic philosophy is centered around spreading joy and happiness through her work. Through her daily creative practice, Wendilyn continually refines her craft, experimenting with new techniques and styles. Her unique approach balances texture and color, resulting in captivating digital illustrations that transport viewers to enchanting worlds. With a heart full of creativity and a passion for making a positive impact, Wendilyn's art is sure to delight and inspire audiences of all ages. Want to be part of our team? Join Us! Community Featured Artists Our Clients & Partners To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Accreditations & Awards

A collection of vibrant paintings by artists with disabilities, showcasing resilience and creativity 5 Kada is proudly hosting an art exhibition in collaboration with Art for Good, a social enterprise supporting artists with disabilities. This initiative offers a platform for individuals with learning, physical, mental health, and rare disorders to showcase their work and express their journeys through art. Visitors can explore the exhibition, where artworks are displayed with QR codes for easy purchase. The proceeds directly support the artists, with a portion helping to cover the operational costs. Meet the Artists: Stories of Strength • Titus Teo, living with an immunity deficiency disorder, captures his love for adventure in Snowy Mountains. • Chloe Chek, wheelchair-bound due to SMA2, expresses her creativity through vibrant artwork. • Lucas Teo, with an immunity deficiency, creates art inspired by animals and his personal experiences. • Koh Jun Kai, on the autism spectrum, showcases his talent through detailed art influenced by Lego. • Lesley Lim, also with autism, brings nature to life through his expressive art. • Jonas Teo, passionate about rainbows and vibrant imagery, creates pieces reflecting his love for colors. This collaboration highlights the therapeutic and empowering nature of art while fostering an inclusive community at 5 Kada.

Art For Good Wins Prestigious Awards at the Singapore Business Awards 2025 We are thrilled to share some incredible news! Art For Good has been recognized at the Singapore Business Awards 2025 , hosted by APAC Insider, and has been honored with not just one, but two remarkable awards: 🏆 Best Art Therapy Provider 2025 🏆 APAC Insider Community Impact Excellence Award 2025 This recognition underscores our commitment to creating meaningful change through art therapy, fostering emotional well-being, and empowering communities across Singapore. What These Awards Mean to Us? These awards highlight the innovation, dedication, and positive impact Art For Good has consistently brought to the community. It’s a testament to the power of art in transforming lives and the trust placed in us by our beneficiaries, supporters, and collaborators. The awards are part of APAC Insider’s annual celebration of excellence, where nominees are judged on their expertise, commitment, and the innovation they bring to their respective fields. We are deeply honored to be part of this prestigious platform, which recognizes the companies and entrepreneurs driving growth and innovation in Singapore. What’s Next for Art For Good? An official announcement will be made on APAC Insider's platform in March 2025, coinciding with the launch of their celebratory magazine. We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to engaging with more communities, collaborators, and supporters to expand our impact. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to our mission: bringing healing, joy, and transformation through art. Stay tuned for more updates and upcoming initiatives from Art For Good. Thank you for being part of our journey to inspire and empower through creativity! Visit our website at Art For Good  to learn more about our programs and how you can support our mission.

September 13, 2022 Author: Cathy Malchiodi – PhD Expressive Arts: Soothing Brain and Body Decades ago, one of the first things I noticed in my work with children exposed to interpersonal violence was how they physically responded to art-making and play activities. While these young clients often remained hypervigilant or withdrawn during therapy sessions, they also actively sought out ways to self-soothe. Some children found relief in simply watching paint disperse in a jar filled with water; others seemed to lose themselves in creating repetitive patterns while drawing, doodling, or scribbling. Expressive arts and play activities also served as a form of brief dissociation from anxieties or fears. In most cases, these children found refuge and respite through rhythmic kinesthetic, sensory-based experiences. Purposeful applications of expressive arts therapy support self-regulation, and for this reason, they are often used to help children and adults reduce hyperactivation and the stress responses that result from traumatic events. They can be combined with other standard approaches; for example, art therapy has been combined with mindfulness-based practices to induce and deepen relaxation. Music therapy has considerable success in reducing hyperarousal, including measurable physiological responses, such as heart rate and sympathetic nervous system reactions. In brief, most expressive arts therapy sessions integrate rhythmic breathing, mindfulness-related practices, and other calming routines into overall intervention, particularly when working with individuals who have experienced traumatic events. Individuals in treatment often note that the structure, containment, and grounding qualities that expressive arts provide feel “safer than words.” In contrast to asking individuals to revisit distressful events and emotions that the mind and body try to avoid, expressive arts interventions generally seek to establish an emotional distance from traumatic reactions to establish a sense of safety, first and foremost. For example, dramatic enactment and imaginative play capitalize on distance, allowing the therapist to help participants explore problems or distressing emotions through metaphor rather than reality. The simple act of drawing provides a way to make tangible a sensation or feeling, placing it outside oneself on paper. In brief, creative approaches have the potential to support self-regulation by giving individuals ways to separate from what is going on internally while experiencing what is often a pleasurable or novel creative experience. Over 100 years ago, Freud observed a behavioral response that underscores why we should use “action” rather than words alone to address dysregulation stemming from traumatic stress. He called this response “the compulsion to repeat,” noting that individuals who do not remember distressful events are likely to repeat those experiences both in treatment and in life. In other words, these repressed memories are repeated in the here-and-now rather than allowing the experiences to live in the past where they originated. While my psychotherapeutic stance is not psychoanalytic, Freud’s concept does highlight an important characteristic of all forms of expressive arts therapy—they are action-oriented processes that may help traumatized individuals “repeat” the memories Freud cited but in a different form. Traumatized individuals are, in fact, action-oriented in the sense that they instinctively use various unhealthy responses to address self-regulation. They also simply may not have the appropriate language (speechless terror or alexithymia) to express their feelings and body-based sensations; they may dissociate, lacking the ability to articulate their emotions; and their somatic responses may have become dysregulated. The kinesthetic/sensory qualities of rhythm, movement, enactment, visual imagery, touch, and sound found in expressive arts naturally involve active participation rather than talk-only. Also, verbally analyzing and interpreting dysregulation, along with a focus on “what’s wrong,” do not necessarily support self-regulation. Engaging the Body Through Arts-Based Expression While some therapists believe that body-based techniques are useful adjuncts to treatment, many now view the body as central in the process of trauma reparation. Expressive arts therapy is one of the few approaches to trauma treatment that consistently involves the body in some way. Art forms like dance and drama obviously include physical movement, but we also sense something in our bodies when we make art, play a musical instrument, engage in creative writing, and even when we look at an artwork in a museum, listen to music, or read powerful prose or poetry. This phenomenon is a form of embodied intelligence; the term embodied refers to the body-centered intelligence that informs one of what one knows and experiences in the environment. Traumatized individuals, especially those who have endured chronic traumatic events, find themselves literally cut off from their bodies or, at the very least, are not conscious of how their bodies are communicating or sensing from their surroundings. The same soothing qualities of expressive arts described in the previous section also serve as forms of embodied intelligence, reintroducing individuals to how the body communicates the sensations and emotions related to trauma. These body-based experiences may come in the form of anchoring and grounding, transcendence and peak moments of achievement, or focused awareness and presence in the moment, where there is a full sense of engagement in the ongoing experience. In brief, expressive arts therapy naturally shifts individuals from being “in their minds” to being more fully in their bodies. Specific applications of expressive arts therapy have so many unique dimensions that can enhance self-regulation and engagement that are too detailed to include in this post. For more specific information, check out my past posts on grounding, anchoring, mirroring and entrainment, and bilateral movement and sensory integration. Link to the original article to explore more! References Malchiodi, C. A. (2020). Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy: Brain, Body, and Imagination in the Healing Process . New York: Guilford Publications.