Grief and the Expressive Arts

This comprehensive guide explores the therapeutic power of creative expression for processing loss, offering mental health professionals practical frameworks for integrating arts-based interventions into grief work. Barbara E. Thompson systematically examines how various modalities—from visual arts and music to movement and drama—serve distinct therapeutic functions in bereavement care. The book provides clinicians with essential criteria for selecting appropriate techniques across diverse populations, including trauma survivors, grieving children, and bereaved elders. It bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and clinical application in expressive arts therapy.

What distinguishes this resource is its structured approach to matching specific artistic interventions with particular grief manifestations and client needs. Thompson moves beyond general principles to deliver actionable strategies for hospice programs, grief camps, and specialized trauma work, making it invaluable for therapists seeking evidence-based creative methods. The text's strength lies in its practical differentiation between numerous expressive approaches, empowering practitioners to make informed clinical decisions. This becomes an essential toolkit for any professional helping clients navigate loss through creative channels.