135. Cathy Malchiodi: Expressive Arts Therapy & Play for Deeper Trauma Healing
Dec 20, 2022
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Cathy Malchiodi, founder of Trauma Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, discusses the importance of rhythmic synchronization and action-oriented interventions in trauma healing. She introduces a new method of expanding the client's 'Window of Tolerance' for trauma integration and playfulness. The episode explores the journey into expressive arts therapy, emphasizing the results and incorporating playfulness and curiosity in therapy. It also discusses using expressive art therapies to help a military veteran with PTSD, books on expressive arts therapy and understanding children's drawings, and the importance of action, playfulness, and expressive arts therapy.
Expressive Arts Therapy integrates various modalities like visual art, music, and movement for healing and regulation.
Action-oriented interventions in therapy help individuals expand their capacity for joy, curiosity, and playfulness, leading to enhanced well-being.
Deep dives
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Introducing Kathy Melchietti and Expressive Arts Therapy
In this podcast episode, Lisa Deon introduces special guest Kathy Melchietti, the executive director of the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute. Kathy shares her background in the arts and how she transitioned into expressive arts therapy. She discusses the integrative nature of expressive arts therapy, combining various modalities like visual art, music, movement, and more to facilitate healing and regulation across the lifespan.
The Power of Action-Oriented Interventions
Kathy emphasizes the importance of incorporating action-oriented interventions in therapy. By engaging the senses and promoting active participation, these interventions can yield powerful results. Kathy explains that action-oriented approaches help individuals mobilize, co-regulate, and expand their capacity for joy, curiosity, and playfulness, leading to enhanced well-being and a deeper connection with others.
Expanding the Window of Tolerance through Expressive Arts
Kathy introduces the concept of the Window of Tolerance, a framework used in trauma work to understand regulation and arousal levels. However, she proposes a reframe and suggests focusing on expanding a Circle of Capacity instead. By integrating expressive arts therapies, individuals can widen their capacity for regulation, restore their sense of joy and empowerment, and replace trauma reactions with curiosity and playfulness.
Lisa has another really special guest joining her … Dr. Cathy Malchiodi is the Founder & Director of the Trauma Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute. She has done countless presentations around the world and written some amazing books, one that she wrote several years ago is still one of Lisa’s all time favorite books - Understanding Children’s Drawings.
Cathy is one of the pioneers in Expressive Arts Therapy. In this episode, you’ll learn what Expressive Arts Therapy is and the importance of “rhythmic synchronization” and “action-oriented” interventions to support clients in sensory integration and trauma healing. You’ll also be introduced to a new way to conceptualize the client’s “Window of Tolerance” that is more about expanding the client’s capacity for trauma integration and playfulness.
Join a grounding conversation that will take you beyond the use of specific techniques to support your clients in reclaiming and expanding their capacity for full expression of their authentic self.
"Trauma reduces our capacity for expression through movement, sound, enactment, image making, and play. Our job is to help people reclaim that capacity -- to manifest a full range of restorative expression and reparative playfulness." - Cathy Malchiodi, PhD from Handbook of Expressive Arts Therapy
*Cathy Malchiodi is the Executive Director of the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute. She works as a consultant to the Department of Defense and an investigator on a five-year grant with the US Department of Education, integrating trauma-informed expressive arts into classrooms. A popular presenter and workshop leader, she has given over 700 keynotes and workshops (...pretty much you name the country and Cathy has probably been there to present in some capacity). She has authored 20 books including her most recent, "Handbook of Expressive Arts Therapy." You’ll find a sample chapter by clicking the book title for free!
* If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.
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