What is Expressive Art Therapy?
Expressive Art Therapy (or ABT as defined by WCCLF) is defined as the clinical and evidence-based use of art-forms (including music, drama, and visual arts) to accomplish individualised goals within a therapeutic relationship (World Centre for Creative Learning Foundation, Pune, India)
Why Art?
The language of arts (dance movement, stories, theatre, music, clay, painting, etc.), has enormous hidden power for connecting with others as well as communicating with self. Getting involved in art and craft pursuits is not a luxury but a necessity for holistic health. We are all immersed in art and artistic expression and exploration as children, but as we grow up we restrict this based on our understanding of our adopted social roles, and what is ‘acceptable’. This makes for a drab and difficult existence. This is why Khula Aasman begins with exploration through ART – Art is a great healer- it offers the opportunity to go beyond the shackles of class, religion, caste and gender, and allows an individual to get back to his/ her own unfettered self.