Presence and Process in Expressive Arts Work: At the Edge of Wonder by Sally Atkins

by Herbert Eberhart

The book is a foundational guide for all therapists who use the expressive arts as a way of facilitating learning, healing, and change. Grounding expressive arts work within the helping relationship, it focuses on two fundamental aspects to effective practice; 'presence' and 'process', explains these concepts, their roots, and applications.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to read, but there are some good points.

[culley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fodder for a paper…. The power of our aesthetic sense can be seen by contrasting the word aesthetic with anesthetic, or that which numbs and deadens us. To create art is to enter into a different state of consciousness and in this alternate reality there is the possibility of tapping into archetypal energies that are soothing and humanizing. The role of the expressive arts therapist is to create a safe container in which this process can unfold and to act as witness for those who seeking the restoration of their well-being. For this unfolding to happen, he or she must bring a sense of presence to the encounter, comprised of congruence, accurate empathy, and unconditional positive regard. Congruence can be seen as genuineness, a correspondence between one’s outer presentation and one’s inner integrity. Empathy in this sense is closely tied to imagination— the ability to imagine and appreciate the subjective world of the other. This must be done with an attitude of acceptance non-judgement. I recently saw a Dali Lama quote stating that love is the absence of judgement. In this sense, to have unconditional positive regard for another is to love them. To be present then is to bring this sense of love into an encounter, to be completely in the moment physically, emotionally, cognitively and spiritually. A beautiful flower or a majestic tree draws our attention to it, invites are awareness into relationship with it— in this sense, a strong presence is a quality of being, something that fosters trust and communion. For such an invitation to happen, there needs to be an openness to what might arrive and a sincere interest and curiosity in the other. To be present is to embody the capacity to be touched in multiple capacities and manifests as a sense of openness and wonder. A passionate, vulnerable presence protecting the space between and around the other so as to make room for insight.

With the process of artistic creation allowing the soul to manifest itself, we can come to see our human reality as an ongoing process rather than a static state of being. It is when we create that we most strongly notice the life within us and we are renewed. On the other hand, when we routinely recreate a previously manufactured image we can become stuck and our connection to our inner world begins to fade. Being stuck comes from the absence of new vision and true movement. A person naturally tends to follow known pathways and processes— this also is human, logical and order forming. It gives meaning to our lives to add order to our processes, and we are, as mentioned perviously, meaning seeking creatures. Patterned routes become familiar and our processes become routinized as a matter of course. It is natural to cling to the old, known patterns, but this is also problematic. Over time these old ways of being can come to restrict individual possibilities and potentials. Life can present new situations and the old ways of doing things are no longer effective. More complexity is needed— the inner world needs to be expanded to allow for new potential. Returning to the context of the soul can allow for this expansion, and the vital kinesis of artistic expression can facilitate and fuel this growth.

[Wanda Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally offers a good wording to what is expressive arts. She takes it a step further by offering her own experience with the process, art works and suggestions. Simple and concise.