Expressing feelings without speaking: Art and Movement Therapy and eating disorders.
People with eating disorders can often express feelings and explore conflicts non-verbally before they can put it into words. The first step is to get patients to recognize that they have a distorted self-image. Our therapists determine the degree of an individual's body image distortion in a variety of ways.
One technique we use in art therapy is to let the patient use a body image tracing to compare their perceived size to their actual size. From that point, the tracing becomes a model from which the patient can work through any body image and weight issues.
This course of treatment also makes the patient more aware of the connections between eating disorder symptoms, negative body imagery and impulse control. To achieve this goal, we keep an array of art media on hand, from collage to colored markers to pastels to clay.
Patients can follow their own progress.
The artwork folder that patients create and maintain throughout their stay becomes highly valuable. It helps them explore symbolic meanings and feel more easily understood. It's used to improve communication and demonstrate progress toward specific goals. When patients are discharged, we encourage them to take their art folder with them and share it with their outpatient providers.
Movement Therapy allows patients to become more aware of their bodies.
Studies have shown that moving to music can help to instill a more positive body image and make the patient more mindful of how their body relates to the space around them. Breathing exercises are basic to this technique. The overall goal is to increase the patient's comfort with their own body, and to accept themselves more.
Take a virtual tour to learn more about Art and Movement Therapy at The Center for Eating Disorders.
