The Creative Arts in Counseling

This evidence-based guide offers mental health professionals a comprehensive roadmap for integrating expressive therapies into clinical practice, covering everything from music and movement to drama and nature-based interventions. Dr. Gladding systematically explores how creative modalities like visual arts, writing, and animal-assisted therapy can reach clients across all ages and backgrounds where traditional talk therapy might fall short. The book provides both the historical context and contemporary research supporting arts in counseling, making it a substantial resource rather than just an inspirational overview.

What distinguishes this work is its structured, practical approach to diverse therapeutic arts, presenting each modality with enough specificity for practitioners to understand its unique applications and evidence base. Counselors seeking to expand their toolkit beyond conventional methods will find immediately applicable strategies for engaging clients through creative expression. This isn't merely about art making—it's about harnessing the transformative power of creativity to facilitate deeper therapeutic breakthroughs and more meaningful client connections.