Best Practice Document: Expressive Arts Therapy Although traditional talk therapy methods can be a great option for children who are struggling mental health or disabilities, some children struggle to express themselves effectively. what they experience in a formal clinical setting. Using expressive/creative arts as a mode of therapy allows for a meaningful and more relevant exploration of issues a child may be facing. Expressive art therapy is a therapeutic approach that involves incorporating art, with the goal of promoting growth and healing in an individual (Malchiodi, 2013). Expressive art therapy encompasses many creative artistic modalities: Art therapy includes the use of artistic mediums to solve problems and allow the client to get in touch with their creative process. This usually involves the use of tools such as pictures, paint, clay, etc. during the session with the therapists (Malchiodi, 2013). Music therapy is used as a means of promoting beneficial changes in a person's biopsychosocial functioning. Music is used in sessions to help the client resolve problems and express thoughts and feelings without using their own words. (Malchiodi, 2013).Drama therapy uses elements of theater and acting to allow the client to explore their problems through a storyline and enact how their problems affect their daily life. Dance movement therapy relies on the mind-body connection and allows the client to use their movement as a means to promote emotional and psychological healing (Malchiodi, 2013). Poetry therapy uses poetry and other literary works to allow the client to explore the power of words and their use in personal development. Play therapy involves using various play methods (toys, board games, etc.) to assess... ... middle of article ......s: Expressive arts therapy with children in foster care. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 18(5), 433-440. Harvey, S. (1990). Dynamic play therapy: An integrative expressive arts approach to family therapy for young children. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 17(3), 239-246.Klorer, PG (2005). Expressive therapy with seriously abused children: contributions from neuroscience. Art therapy, 22(4), 213-220.Malchiodi, CA (Ed.). (2013). Expressive therapies. Guilford Publications. Munns, E. (2000). Theraplay: Innovations in attachment-enhancing play therapy. Jason Aronson, Incorporated. Phelps, D. (nd). Therapeutic use of expressive arts with children. Retrieved from http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/exc_020712.shtml Wikström, B. (2005). Communicating via expressive arts: the natural means of self-expression for hospitalized children. Pediatric Nursing, 31(6), 480-485.