EXPRESSIVE ARTS FOCUSING

Therapeutic studio art based on expressive arts practices used in Focusing settings, with or without fine art references

Trauma-informed Expressive Arts Focusing (EXAF) is one of the programs within the Museum-Art Based Receptive-Expressive Arts Focusing (MA-REAF) approach

Expressive Arts Focusing uses intermodal, Felt Sense-Based studio art to solve problems and heal emotional wounds from the present and past

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EXAF is a body-focused approach embedded in the European Focusing culture, along with art and design

EXAF is an integrative approach that blends Focusing with the Expressive Arts, using artwork as a reference

EXAF is a trauma-informed, bottom-up approach that promotes self-regulation, resilience and existential health

EXAF draws from a variety of approaches, but is primarily person-centered and experiential. It places the client's experience at the heart of the co-creative therapeutic process

 

developed by Freda Blob

The Felt Sense is a work of art in the making. Its beauty is revealed through painting, writing, role-play, and exploring movement and sound

EXAF: Focusing and Expressive Arts for Best Practice

Expressive Arts Focusing (EXAF) uses Focusing and trauma-informed toolsets from the Expressive Arts Therapies to help individuals and groups get the most out of their engagement with Felt Sense-Based arts

INFOBOX EXAF Principles

Expressive Arts Focusing EXAF follows the ethics of the person-centered and experiential approach. This means that the needs of the client are at the center of everything the therapist or facilitator does

Foundational Focusing and FOAT® principles (Eugene Gendlin, Laury Rappaport) are the main principles, along with Empathic Curiosity for Differences (Christiane Geiser) and Aesthetic Empathy (Friedl Dicker-Brandeis)

We also draw from principles of the Expressive Arts Therapies as defined by Paolo Knill, Stephen K. Levine, Shaun McNiff, and Cathy Malchiodi (founder of the Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy®)

If you have felt stuck in traditional talk therapy, Expressive Arts Focusing (EXAF) may be especially beneficial

Start Your Healing. Add Felt Arts to Your Life!