Teen Drug Treatment Program Turns to Expressive Arts
ECHO MALIBU, a teen drug and alcohol treatment center making news of late, has continued to distinguish itself as a leader in the adolescent treatment community. They have announced the formation of a comprehensive Expressive Arts Therapy component for the youth ages 12-17 receiving services at their facility.
MALIBU,CA (PRWEB) August 12, 2005 -- ECHO MALIBU, a new drug treatment
program for teens, is distinguishing itself with the implementation of a
comprehensive Expressive Arts Therapies treatment option. This approach is
designed to complement its more traditional treatment offerings such as
individual, group and family process groups.
Teens struggling with drug,
alcohol or other addictions, emotional difficulties or behavior problems will
have the opportunity to participate in a full continuum of expressive arts
therapies such as; Art Therapy, Drama Therapy, Music Therapy, Dance/Movement
Therapy and Poetry Therapy.
According to ECHO MALIBU co-founder, Dr.
Jeffrey Nalin, a clinical psychologist, the purpose of Expressive Arts Therapies
is to “Provide youth with alternative methods of expression that will reaffirm
their emotional experiences, and thought processes. Through art, music, dance,
drama and writing therapies, youth can utilize creative ways to communicate
difficult thoughts and feelings that they might not otherwise be able to
articulate.” He goes on to state that “As a result of these interventions, youth
begin to re-experience emotional materials in a more present and tangible way
that allows for corrective experiences within the creative work
itself.”
Cole Rucker, CEO and co-founder adds, “It is very important to
note that all of these modalities are implemented under the direction of
licensed or certified therapists. Art Therapy is not Arts and Crafts. While the
latter has an intrinsic value, the former has an express, therapeutic purpose,
which is to evoke and process material gleaned from creative expression.”
While the popularity of Expressive Arts Therapies is growing, they are
still largely unavailable in many treatment programs due to budgetary
constraints, the limited availability of qualified professionals or failure on
the part of service providers to recognize their value. According to Dr. Nalin
“Programs who do incorporate expressive arts therapies are generally limited to
one or two modalities. The use of a full continuum of these services is unique.”
He goes on to state “While each of these modalities share many therapeutic
goals, the approach and results can be as profoundly different as those who are
participating. A participant who may not respond to art therapy may thrive in
music or dance therapy.”
Rucker adds, “Another aspect that is
distinctive to this approach is that the disciplines have the opportunity to
work in collaboration with each other. The Art Therapist and the Poetry
therapist might collaborate on a single therapeutic group or all of the
disciplines might share a single treatment theme for all of our clients or for
an individual over a specified period of time.”
Dr. Nalin concludes, “The
most important thing to remember is that there is no single path to recovery.
Good treatment must involve a variety of therapeutically sound approaches, so
that each person can utilize what best serves their healing process.”
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb271756.htm