Expressive Arts

Expressive Arts Therapy is the practice of using storytelling, dance, music, drama, poetry, dreamwork, visual arts, and other artistic modalities in an integrated way to foster human growth, development, and healing. It is about reclaiming our innate capacity as human beings for the creative expression of our individual and collective human experience in artistic form. It is also about experiencing the natural capacity of creative expression and creative community for healing. Expressive Arts Therapy is different from other creative therapies such as Art Therapy or Music Therapy as it emphasizes the interdisciplinary use of multiple art modalities.**

Connie earned her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a post-masters certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy in 2010 from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Though she no longer works directly in the mental health field, she continues to stay connected to the expressive arts community created around the App State program. She joined the leadership team for the annual Expressive Arts Retreat at Wild Acres in Little Switzerland, NC in 2023.  

**Description is from the Expressive Arts Therapy program at Appalachian State University