Creative therapy

Creative therapy encompasses a variety of therapeutic approaches utilizing creative forms of expression such as art, music or dance to support emotional and psychological processes. These methods provide patients with an additional way to process emotions and inner conflicts without relying solely on conversation. This can be especially helpful when words are insufficient or difficult to find.

Some of the most well-known procedures include art therapy, music therapy, and dance therapy. In art therapy, for example, drawing or painting is used to access unconscious thoughts and feelings. Music therapy creates a space for expressing and reflecting on emotions through the use of sounds and rhythms. Dance therapy uses movement as a means of expression, especially when therapeutic and treatment-relevant content can be better communicated through the body than through language.

Creative therapy promotes the healing process.

Since these methods require specialized skills, they are conducted by trained creative therapists. These offerings are often provided in inpatient or partial outpatient settings as they can be particularly well integrated into a comprehensive treatment concept there. Creative therapies are less frequently offered on an outpatient basis because they are not among the so-called guideline procedures that are routinely reimbursed by health insurance companies. Nevertheless, they can be a valuable complement, especially in combination with other forms of therapy, to promote the healing process.